Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-02
yIVolS1A HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Delegates. ou tohtuS tuo SudlTs luo IOu. w
Rives President of the Society, made The following
remarks, after which Hugh Blair Grgsby, Esq, pro-
ceeded to deliver his learned Discourse on the Con
vention Of 1873, and which he proposes to pabiiri
hereafter. The President rose and said:
Genthmen Of the Historical Society Of Virginia:
cannot avoid congratulstpg you, as citizens Oh
the scene we have witnessed, so honorable 10 oui
State, and which has given an unusual ahu eeua'e1
attraction to our present meeting. we nave nVsu
gentlemen, to see accomplished, and yesterday We
held the becoming celebration of agrest work, Wo'ch
calls forth from their Utmost depths the most enel
l.hei and at the time, the noolest seh'lu'ehs "
the Virginia heart. We witnessed in the presence VI
vast assemblage, not only Of our own ci'lAene ou'
of the citizens and high functionaries OF our slse
States, and of the authorities, civil and niary, o.
the Union, all come to join us in conmoiI nons.
10 the chief of men, the installation at lhe
The State under the wide vault of Heaven u "liel
it sereney looks, OF grand and enduring a ,ha
TO commemorate the virtues, the services aha !he
deeds of son of Virginia, revered by all Ainefca
whom all nations and ages will continue 10 noho'
and before whom, such is the inherent majesty U
virtue, the Kings and Emperors OF the eastn BFo"
small.
Around that great central aud SURPRISING hgurt
have been fifty grouped, other illustreus sons VI
ginia who in the council the field, were tue com
panons and associates Of Washington; CO operatina
with him in their respective spheres 20 bear aoit te
bly,, as they fondly hoped, on height OF moral a.
we'll as political elevations; where It "oulo 'oisfe'
flourish, the hope and solace of nations Inc PaIau
UNI OF their coun,rymen. That monument we al
feel, gentl men, TO be proud and glorious incni.
ton of our annals. Our children aud our cniioien
children will up, in endless generations, 10 %
hold il, and in behOlding, will draw from insPh
tons OF virtue, of patriotism and wisdom
persuaded that there is no means 20 enectuai vi na'
tanning the high tone of moral sentiment anu pi"el
boz
dispensable to their preservation az an naoluai &c
currence to the examples of our great ana Vrluou
ancestors, view with deep and grateu Satisfaction
"a am sure you do, every method OF keeping 'hei
in our hearts and minds and bringing tnem ihuee'
before our very eyes.
May we not, then, indulge feeling OF pleasing con
seriousness in the recollection OF the part oorne o.
this Society, in originating the measures whcn nav
led to result gratifying to the prioe anu % nono
able to the character Of State 1t was at the 81
cond annual meeting of this Society, III December
lSiS that resolution, moved by worthy genlielha
OF this city, was adopted, and committee appointed
to prepare and present to the Legislature, memota
in the name of the Society, praying tor tne saGpuo
of suitable means to secure the early complexion o
monument to Washington, at the capital OF IN
State. TO that appeal, the Legislature was piease
to respond by it's prompt and favorable actoh anu VI
the following 22d of February, day 80 apPfopl's'
for such an act, as was suggested In the memorial
bill was passed by both Honses out OF the Juuiciou
provisions of which the work we behold with 30 nuci
pride has arisen through the patient and skiiul gro
dations OF art and now unfolds lis gorles 10 INC ey
! In the abundant harvest Of honor which SUCH !
work yields to all who have been ID any NAME ,h
sociated with it, the Legislature, the Executive, ,n
Commissioners and last and chetest, tue great OIL
tsi, who though his days have not osen sPalee II
witness with us the proud installation OIL the ~orh
his hands, Yet lives and will forever hVe, III le ieh
he has achieved by it, in 80 aoundah. na.ro y
honor trust it will not be thought unbecoming II
an association like this, which seeks neither nnuenc'
nor noorety, to recur with some degree OF satisac
ton to its hun BILE share, however small that may o.
deemed, though but grain OF mustard SEED so"n IL
the fruitful minds of ohers-in the preparatory ID
bors from which the stately growth has sprung.
. But let us remember, gentlemen, that great and no
BILE these works Of art are, admirable as creation
of genius, in the highest degree useful 10 nourlsn AM
difIuse among the entire body OF people generou
and well informed sentiment Of national pride, win
out history they are but dumb idols; they see not
they hear not, they speak not IT'S History mat put
speculation in the eyes Of the molten w sshingoh
and lights them up with their serene WISDOM anS
their seeing and resolute patrosm; that gives ei
oquent voice and utterance to the lips OF henry as n
stands motionless on the pedestal of that monument
aud to the brazen pen in the hands OF It's re
sisess power and fervor. It's History, IN iike man
ner that will invest the form Of Mason with its Vlnt
expression of dignity, of Roman tirmneas ana pro
found elaboration the counteuance OF Marshal VIII
the light and shade OF imperial intellect; The lea
lures of Nelson with the benignant yet ardent gov
of self sacrificing devotion 10 his country and tn
figure Of Lewis, with the lofty air Of veteran heroiam
sci of by majestic nature when these worthless II
their turn come also TO take their allotted station
around the peerless chief.
Nor could there BIZ, gentlemen, we may surely say
without presumption, space enough upon that prour
monument to comprehend all the noble sons OF Nir
GINA, who acted we'll their parts in great and glo
roas age, and whose lives and deeds deserve CRATE
full commemoration. 1t is the office OF this Society
SO far it's limited means extend, to collect and pre-
serve memorials of them all, to erect monuments tc
them all, il not in brass and marble, IN yet Other
forms, which the great instrument OF modern OWN
zation the art Of printing, may render even mora
enduring when worthily executed. How much rea
then have to congratulate ourselves that one
of our own SOUS, Mr.. Grgsby, with abilities equal to
the task has nebly undertaken it's performance and
in part has already noby performed it. To him be-
longs the pious aud transcendaut duty OF erecting the
.'monnneatmm peremnius" to the great names OF
our Virginia History; and am gratifed to intorm
you that he is with to-day, prepared to instruct
and delight us with another and most important por
iioa Of his learned and patriotic labors.
After the delivery of Mr.. Grigsbys discourse, the
Society adjourned to hold business meeting at its
Hall in the Athenaum on the following morning
the proceedings of which will be published hereat
ter.
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