Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-09-24
The Great Eastcrn-A Suggestion.


Speaking of the proposed celebration at Yorktown, on
the 18th Of October, the Washington Seates makes
suggestion, at the close of the following article which
commend to the reflections Of the citizens of Richmond
and the other cities and towns in the State:
perceive that it is in contemplation in Virginia TO
have grand celebration at Yorktown the 18th of oc
tober.
lf there be one day more than another in Our nation,
al calendar that deserves by grateful
peopc-graefu to their God and to their anccsiors-it
Surodly that upon which their indepcndcncc was def
| utvely achieved.
The Surrender of CORVALLIS and the consequent eyac
ua,ion OF the colonies by the Britishry of the
mot important events in the history of mankind The
anniversary Of the should be regarded as III.
most tit OF all occasions for general jubilee 1t should be
observed as cherished fetc day from end OF the
Union TO the other.
why should not the proposed celebration be ioyously
participated in by every patriot both within and without
Virginia, whose residence i distant from York
town to prevent his convenient attendance To the de-
voted lover of his country there is ground more hal
lowed than that where Washington con1uerug the sv ord
Of the enemy against which he had been arrayed for sew
wears, returned his in solemn, majestic silence to
its scabbard.
TO that spot which win ever be green in the affection
Of hearts devoted to system of government as es
ahlshcd by it, fathers restless INSCRIPTIONS contVers
Of schemes calculated to hasten its overthrow might
repair with perhaps no little benefit to their loose pot.
cal morality.
THE spectacle would be sublime one in the sight of
enlightened mankind the Great Eastern. which Is like
bc expected at Portland latest the 10th of
October, could he influenced Hampton Roads ON
the Ssh, and proceed to Yorktown early hour on
he 18th The distance could be performed by her in an
hour and half She could carry conveniently ten thou
and person! which, at - per hcad-going and return.
ng-woud pay her $4,000.
I'm lSi7 the Macedonian which had been captured by
in the of lSl2, entered the OF Cork cighcd
With food for the starving Irish the contributions
Scuerous-hearted countrymen. What a benign mission
that: The appearance at Yorktown of one OF the
pt he he hrfll
OF British naval archtecture-on the anniversary
IF separation from the mother country would mark
with peculiar distinctyenesS the Ieunon of the mother
and the daughter in the bonds OF reciprocal commerce.
The President, heads of departments, and many OF
the employees in the public offices would doubtless low
ousy join in the celebration and independent
military companies would also gladly cooperate in the
ubseryanceS of the day Such patriotic demonstration
never has been witnessed in this any other country
would probably transpire.
Let meetings be Immediately called in Richmond Pc
tcrsburg, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Lynchburg, Fredericks
burg, Alexandria, Washington, and Baltimore and the
Mayor of each be appointed delegate go Portland
upon the arrival OF the Great Eastern and represent TO
her agents the pccuniary benefits which she might rea-
sonaby expect TO derive from visit the Chesapeake
At the time designated"
If the citizens of Richmond think the suggestion of
the States worthy of consideration they have plenty of
time TO hold public meeting and act upon it. if they
desire. We ourselves doubt whether the Great Eastern
would respond favorlby any appeal which might be
made 10 heT 10 VISIT OFktOWn NJ the time indicated. In
the first place, it is locality whose associations
would he pleasing to the minds of EngIshmen. In the
next the time would probably be short for her after
reaching Portland aud going through with all the cere
monies there reach Yorktown by the 9th of October
However il there be anything in the foregoing sug-
scstion worthy OF thought, advise citizens to take
it into immediate consideration. There will be- no harm
trying prevail upon the Great Eastern visit the
Chesapeake and Yorktown, even il fail And should
succeed in the effort the occasion would be one OF
immense interest and would draw thousands of people
together witness the novel Shall the Great Eas-
bery That. the nnestinn