White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-08-16
Old Virginia, in Old Times and New.

Old Virginia, in Old Times and New.
Right merry old days they had in Old
Virginia, a hundred years ago. In that
narrow strip of country lying between
the Patomac and Rappahannock rivers,
shapen somewhat like unto the horn of
plenty, with the Blue Ridge in the back
ground, resided old families descended
from ancient European stock, who pre-
served, in q manner, the habits Of their
ancestors and their fetes, their enter
tainments, and their Inequalities were
given with all the grandeur of old Bsro-
NAL days. The princely and almost
boundless estate Of Fairfax, was the GEN.
tire of good cheer, where the young men
and the bells of Old Virginia loved to
congregate; where the chase, the tourna.
ment. the dance, the play, and all man.
ner of athletic exercises. and feast, and
song, were observed the year round, from
New Year to New Year, and at all sea-
sons. Then Washington was in the
bloom of youth, and the master-spirit Of
those olden sports; and other Of Virgin
las subsequent brightest stars were &C.
tors in those scenes. Right merry old
days were they!
Loyal, patriotic and freedom-loving
hearts beat in the bosoms of the men of
those days. When Governor Dinwid-
die requested Washington to go on mis-
sion to the far Western wilds, he obeyed
with alacrity, and forsook the gayeties
and pleasures of Fairfax Manor. Then
came musterings Of the hardy yeomanry
and the sons of wealth; for the Cover
nor had called upon the people to march,
under the command of Washington, to
the defence of the settlers on the frontier.
None shirked the duty, but each strove
to be foremost. Again they were called,
to march to the same frontier, to aid Gen.
Braddock and again was the call well
responded to. Still again was there q
mastering of forces and the thorn Of
plenty" sent her unerring marksmen, with
Morgan, to do deeds Of valor, from Sar-
atoga to the Cowpens.
That was Old Virginia, in the olden
time.
The men of more than a century ago,
have passed away, as have several sue
ceeding generations but not so that mar
row strip of land lying between the Po-
tomac and Rsppahannock rivers, shapen
somewhat like unto the horn of plenty,
with the Blue Ridge in the background.
But it is still inhabited by people who
boast of their ancient and honorable de.
scent-but destitute, we fear, of the spir-
it of their ancestors.
There has recently been another mar
shaling of forces on that ancient soil. A
few loyal spirits, actuated by desire TO
keep alive the teachings and the princi-
pies of Washington, of Jefferson, and of
Madison-all revered sons Of Old Vir-
ginia-erected a pole, from the top Of
which floated banner, upon which were
inscribed the names of the chosen leaders
of the party advocating those principles.
But the Saracens who inhabit that holy
land, made demonstrations, not only
against the banner, but against the safety
and well-being of those who unfolded it
to the breeze. The little band appealed
to the successor of Governor Dimwiddie
for protection in their lives and their
rights. He called upon the military to
extend that protection-and how was the
summons obeyed Like in the olden
time? No-the officers and members of
several neighboring military companies
left the State. as rapidly rs steam would
carry them, so that a direct order could
not be served upon them But there were
other military companies in that vicini-
ty; and some Of those volunteered their
services. Armed and equipped, they
marched with all the "pomp and cir
cumstance of glorious war;" and In reg
ular military order surrounded the pole,
standing on spot between the place of
Washington's birth and his tomb, bear.
ing banner inscribed with the names of
the defenders Of his principles-and there,
with hootings and revilings, proceeded to
cut down the pole and destroy the ban
neri Thus they obeyed the summons of
the Governor, and protected the rights of
citizens of Virginia
This was Old Virginia in modern
times
n II