Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-04
oELRBRArioN oe ras JAMESTOWN
SOCIETY on ASKING roN CRY.


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About one O'Clock, the veteran orator mounted
rosirum in the great por,icc II tho mansion.
\ Tie is in his seventy fifth year, snd appeared in
his usual style on public OCCASIONS, with rutiles
at the wrists his hat in his hand, and with a bow
10 the audience, that Savored 81 the fashion Of
the last century. Tie said:
Gentlemen Of the Jamesio,ra Society, Friends and
Couairymen.
In choosing spot for the anniversary celebra-
| tion of the Landing of the Cavalier, and First
/ Settlement of Virginia al jamestown, where
| could you have made SO happy location, or one
| so favored as venerable :. time honored" Mount
Vernon for where SO fitting TO celebrate the
| most ancient and renowned event in Virginia S
annals, upon Virginia soil, and near unto the
sepulchre that contains. the ashes Of Virginia 5
immortal Son.
Gentlemen You could readily have found
younger and better orator to have addressed you
| on this interesting occasion, for know ye not
that the old usurer Time will have his dues, and
warns the old before you, that after fifty
years OF service on the rosrum, it is time to re-
tire; but, gentlemen, were this my last, my ex-
plrng address to my conntrymen, would forget
my age, and calling up the energies of my better
days, would dare the effort, when the first set
Element of my country was the theme, and
Mount Vernon the rostrun. [Cheers. Strange,
continued the orator, that | should speak to
others on spot, where SO many recollections
speak to me. Mount Vernon was the cradle Of
my infancy. Around its hallowed hearths in
my childhood played thousand fond and en-
dearing memories crowd upon my heart, while
even now, after the lapse Of more than seventy
years, methinks | behold the venerated form of
Washington seated in this very portco, and ex-
tending his paterntl arms to the child Of his adop-
ton, who climbs his knee the "envied caress
| to share. )"
Pardon, gentlemen, an old mans tear; it flows
from the heart, and is sacred to the memories of
the dearly beloved, and to happy, happy days at
Mount Vernon.
The orator continued: The elements are favo-
rable to our meeting; all nature is clad in the
gay and joyous livery of spring. brilliant sun
shining through balmy atmosphere, sheds lusre
upon this pleasing, happy scene. The augu-
ries are propitious to our celebration, and a
Roman would say, 'sThe eagle flies on the dex-
ter hand Looking through the long vista of
ages, we behold the James River at this same
genial season of the year, the 18th of May, 1907.
The noble forests that clothe its banks dip their
branches in the stream, the birds of various
plumage sing amid the trees, the wild deer fits
through the leafy coverts-all nature is gay, re-
Joicing in tho gores of spring Scattered along
the banks of the noble river are the wigwams,
the rude habitatons Of the aborigines of Virginia.
There dwelt simple race, the teeming earth
producing enough for their moderate wants, the
rivers Astounding in fish, the forests in game,
while the Indian, revealing in the bountes OF
| Providence, dreamed his life away, . monarch OF
all around "But, all! the cruel spoiler camel y
The placid surface Of the ma jestic river be-
fore only disturbed by the ripple Of the Indian
canoe, destined to bear on its bosom
the barques of the adventurous Smith and his
chivalric companions. Onward, yet onward,
steered the gallant strangers, their armor glitter
ing IN the sun, their pennons floating the
| breeze.
With mute awe and wonder the Indian gazed
upon the martial pageant as it landed on the
shores of Virginia The great canoes with their
white wings spread to the breeze, the bearded
| cavalier cased in steel, the martial "pomp and
circumstance" attending the movements Of the
strangers, all, all, convinced the Indian that they
were beings OF superior world, sent by tho
Great Spirit for special purposes, known only TO
his wisdom. And SO they were, for with the
the mailed step Of Smith and the cavaliers, APP
peared the first dawn of civilization and religion
in tho new world Of Virginia Cheers.
Meantime Smith having landed, and harangued
his followers, he planted his banner deep i'll the
soil of Virginia, the knghtly trophy bearing the
cognizance Of his heroic achievements on the
plains of Pennsylvania Emblazoned on a field,
were three Turks heads, motto Vincere est rirere,
.7ccordamus then waving his sword he proclaimed:
81 possess this fair land for and in behalf of the
most pussant Prince James the First, of Great
Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of
the Faith. God save the KING" The cavaliers
replied with shouts TO the proclamation Of their
Chief striking their swords against their bucklers,
the martial clang producing terror to the savages
gathered around.
The effects of the colonsts were landed from
the banks, andfthe first settlement of Virginia
made at jamestown the 18th May, 1907.
The British Prince Caractacus, when before
the tribunal of Claudus Cesar at Rome, said to
the master of world, show comes it that with all
this magnifcence about you, you seek to con-
quer my wild and savage deserts"
/ So Powhatan, the imperial master of another
world, may have said TO Captain Smith, GLOW
comes it that ye leave the luxuries, delights, and
spendor Of Europe, and a stormy main, TO
wrest from the Indian his savage emplre;"
The colony progressed but slowly for time,
the coonists experiencing all the vclssitudes and
trials, from hardships, famine, and war, incident
to the first settlement of all new countries.
Smith, the daring leader at the head Of his small
but warlike band of cavaliers, extended his con-
quests in various directions, offering to the abo-
rhymes, as their only alternative, submission or
the sword.
Meantime the poor Indian, whose untutorcd
| mind, sees God in clouds, and hears him III the
wnd,' believing that the Great Spirit a be-
nevolent DIety, had given the land of Virginia TO
| the Indian an inheritance, took up arms to OPP
pose the invader, and fought for his home, his
| household gods and the bones Of his fathers. But
feeble was the arrow when opposed to the curass
of the steel clad cavalier, the sword and buckler
/ Many fierce conflicts ensued, in Of which
| Smith was forced into marshy stream, where,
encountered by the weight of his armor, he was
overpowered by the savage foe, and borne off in
triumph, bound and prisoner to Weorcomico,
the royal residence Of Powhatan, Of course
| tho renowned cavalier was condemned To die,
and here, gentlemen, let me introduce the story
Of Pocahontas the most touching and romantic
episode in the history Of Virginia that has adorn-
cd her history for more than two centuries, and
| will descend to the admiration Of centuries yet
| to come. The tale of the Indian maid shows that
mercy, divine mercy, and heroic devotion, are
MS well the attributes Of dear woman in savage.
as in civilized life. Cheers.
The Princess Pocahontas, the young and favo-
rite daughter Of Powhatan, threw herself at the
| feet Of the King, and, with streaming eyes, inn
plored him to spare the life Of tic noble cavalier
! The savage monarch replied, off | spare so re-
nowned warrior, risk the loss OF my kingdom.
lie must die" Smith was now brought in bound,
4 and his head laid upon a stone, while two execu-