Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-06-01
Centennial Celebration.


Having received an invitation to participate
in the Centennial Celebration in Berkeley on
the 18th, Mr.. Charles Davies makes the fol-
lowing happy response:
HARPEa's FERaY, May %, 1872.
Hon. c. j. FAULKNER;
Dear SRI am in
receipt of your note, aud am obliged for your
invitation. SO Berkeley intends ueXt month
10 celebrate her first centenary. Good If
Heaven permit, shall certainly be on hand.
Indeed, should ike TO know, who has bet
ter right to participate in your rcjolcings than
jefferson. 1t is q wise child that knows its
own father, and-so far Us may be permitted
to speak for JeflerSon-I not only recognize
and proudly admit the parentage, but as eldest
born, claim place on al domestic festive &C
caSions, amongst the Lares aad PeRCteS Of old
Berkeley.
Spotsylvania-ifI may speak Of sections Of
country as | would of human relationships
the ancestor Of us all about here; Is, in fact,
the grandfather of Berkeley and great grand
father Of jefferson. Born itself on the lst Of
May, 1921, It gave birth on January lst 1875,
to Orange county, and to Frederick in the year
1888. On the 18th of May. l772, Berkeley
was taken from Frederick Aud on the 25th
Of October. 1901, in the Doth year of her age,
she, Berkeley, gave birth to Jefferson.
Now, like Richard the third, of whom it is
said, that be came Into tie world with teeth in
his mouth, Jefferson must have been preco-
cious aud promising child. At all events, it
was Immediately endowed with all the heart of
young county starting out into the world
could wish for Mountains that protect her
from outside barbarans and at the same time
connect her directly with Heaven rivers that
arc historic, and-which is better-fuli Of fish
streams that both iyrigato and beautiiy as fer
tile and picturesque country as there is IN The
,r0rld.
You observe the words that I italicsc-
They arc true. Are the mountains Of Come
mara loftier than those Of Maryland Heights ?
Are the Hudson and Shannon and portions Of
the Rhine wider than the Potomac? Are the
vineyards Of the South Of France and Italy as
fruitful and prolific as our valley? Perhaps
so. But, here, stand on Jciicrson's Rock, or
on the yerandah Of our new Hotel tMouutain
View, nee Shenandoah and you can observe
all these advantages and beauties clustering
together, with the most convenient and curious
felicity.
"Quale manus addunt cbori dccus, ut ubi davo
Argentum Pariusyc lApis cercumda;ur-auro."
1t is like a stretch Of tho Imagination, but I
do not doubt, if Sir. Euskin was here, he'd ad-
nit that the scene could not have been con-
trived better even 10y himself
And I'll this, and these. we owe 10 grand old
Berkeley God bless her! Long may size
live. In the meantime, scventy-two years,
years Of progress in every material, intellectual,
public aud private respect, have glided by, and
| now, it is proposed, by her grateful and happy
! offspring, to celebrate the first centenary Of
the henOred old parent. One hundred years
! Of age, and yet, possessing all the freshness
and yigor, and elasticity aud hopeiulness of
youth beginning bis career Why, sir. | am
with and congratulate you. Now, set your
annalists to week. Ferret out wherever they
may be found, net only in the acrimonious re-
cords OF officials, but, in
"Talos that by the winters hearth old gossips tell
whatever fact remains known concerning Your
start into existence and subsequent history
The difficulty of this task viii increase with
the passing Of every generation but every
! passing generation vii! set a new and increased
value on the result. TO acquire and preserve
such knowledge, has been the desire Of every
civilized people. Unfortunately in the eager
ness Of the search fancy, very often, has been
accepted for fact. and not only tho false but
the impossible and absurd, has been detailed TO
MS rs the facts concerning the foundation Of
! States. IL would DO as correct Of Hcroio'tS as
of the DcrH to say that he was the father Of
lies. And, presume, there is hardly word
Of truth in tie early chapters Of the history Of
Rome. Clio should always &c represented
weeping, indignant at the way in which her
annals have been dsGgurod by Muuchausen.
Like Abraham at the Uirth Of Isaac, Be,kc-
ley, is one hundred years Of age; but unlike
Abraham, will never give to the State another
child. She will never again part with an inch
Of her territory. But, faithful to tho iusttu-
tons Of the country; proud Of tho ell State
from whence she spsang happy in her own
position and character; peaceful industrious,
cutcrprsiug and honest devoted to its affairs
and iresides, yet interested in the public good,
It's example will continue for many a day to
be the plentiful source Of blessings to It's neigh
bors and 20 the State.
Yours truly,
CHARLES DAVIES.