Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-06-17
NUMBER 81.

Ol WlSulDg tnat ne nad not been turned from
the attempt, well believing, from the temper
which rallied such host, that the proud Tarle-
ton would have met resistance in that upcon-
querable sprit-that courage never TO submit
Or yield-which would have immortalized our
own mountain pass With a victory memorable
as that OF the Swiss Morgarten, or if defeat, IL
self still glorious as that which forever hallcws
the ground where
! - -, the unconquered Spartans still are free,
! IN their proud charnel of Thermopyle."
NO wonder that the immortal Washington,
ever remembering the ready patriotism of the
| men OF Augusta. who had stood By his side so
vallantly on the fields of his youthful fame, and
had won laurele for themselves in an hundred
other battles, should have paid them the trib-
| ute of recommending their favorite leader. An
drew Lewis, for the commander-in-chiefo of the
American armies. No wonder hat in the dark
est days OF the patriot cause, when the braVest
despaired, he still hopefully relied ou the men
OF these mountains, aud appointed the last
| refuge aud raIyiog place for freedoms follow
ers among the fastnesses Of Augusta Aud no
wonder that he has left the priceless legacy to
them and their children's children forever, aud
founded in their midst that noble Seminary of
learning, Washington & Lee University, bles-
sing to increase in every rolling year, a uemen-
TO at once OF bis patriotism and wisdom to be
cherished as long as his own immortal memory
endures.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
Btt II time permitted, It might well be shown
tnat IL was not only IN arms they magnified and
honored themselves ard their country. When
all for which they had taken the field was won.
and the bugles sang truce at last these unceas-
ing worshippers at the shrine of liberty rested
not until they had secured from the govern
nent OF their own adoption all their long-sought
yIfr IT'S ~ @rcI1r
to the sentiments inherited FROM the highlands
OF Scotland, and the shores Of Ulster, they we're
still most ardent, aud jealous and persistent ad-
voca'es for charter of religious freedom. The
Presbytery of Hanover, having large constit-
uent proportion within this valley, moved In
the matter as early as 1773, and again at Tim
Der Ridge Church, in Rock bridge. in ITS, and
presented an able memorial 10 1776 to the Gen.
eral Assembly tor the removal ct every species
of religious as well as civil bondage" Again,
In 1777, assembled at Timber Ridge, they earn
estly demonstrated against a general assess
ment Tor any religious purpose" declaring that
its consequences are so entirely subversive Of
religious liberty, that if they should occur in
Virginia we should be reduced to the melan-
choly necessity OF saying with the Apostles in
ike cases Judge ye whether it is best to obey
God CT man, and Of acting as they acted" 10
1850 another like memorial went up from Old
linking Sprng In Augusta; another in May,
1884, from Bethel, In Augusta; another in Oc-
tober, 1884. from Timber Ridge; and On the
10Th of August, 1885, from a General Con-
ventioD at Bethel Church, in the midst of old
Augusta. was started that famous petition to
which 10000 signatures were attached. and was
hnaliy Instrumental IN securing, on the 18th Of
December. 1885, the "iuestimable statute for
religious freedom under which, in the pro-
phetlc words OF the memOTialists themselves,
civil and religious liberty GO hand in hand,
and our latest posterity viii bless the wisdom
and virtue of their fathers
A MONUMENT TO FIRST SETTLERS SUGGESTED.
The geahings We have gathered may suffice,
IN some more skillful hand, to weave for their
memory an enduring garland of glory. Enough
may now have been given to illustrate their
leading traits ct activity OF intellect, independ-
ence OF spirit. iervency of patriotism, and per-
severance OF valor, aud all adorned with deem
reverence Ter religion almost innate. These
virtues may not have been adjusted in propor-
ton, or polished into perfect harmony, but they
were appropriate to the sphere Of such simple
life, ard must command admiration for the
solid strength and bold relief in which they
stand, finishing upwards ever with the graces
OF plety and taith-like some cid cathedral of
the ruder ages, sublime for its very b0lduess of
outline and massive strength Of fourda,ion, and
pillar and wall, while gracefully from every
loftiest part stiil springs the taper spire that
points to heaven.
For more than half century these people
we're passing through troubles, through wars
and rumors Of wars enduring cruel tortures on
the heaths OF Scotland. sore distresses in the
fens of Ulster terrors by day and night dead
ly struggles with savage foes in the forests of
America, and resistance 10 the bitter end a.
gainst the expressions Of EDgland. n ow they
might well trust that their trials were ended
and find at last the peaceful sunset Of their life
radiant with the thought that their sufferiups
had not been in vain, but had won for their
chiidrea nat priceless blessing they solong had
yainly sought FFeedoml aud in its holiest
sense, freedom Of thought, freedom of soul.
salient, iathomless, and perennial spring of ali
ether freedon.'
| The three-scoTe years allotted to life had sill
yered the heads Of the earliest settlers of this
now peaceful valley, and like grain fully ripe.
| they were fast failing before the scythe Of The
relentless Reaper. But they had honestly 6II
ed up the full measure Of life, and having fouobt
coed fight, and flashed the work given them
| to do, they could Dow lie down in the tomb as
to peaceful sleep and pleasant dreams. Hal
| lowed be their memories forever The clods
of the valley rest lightly on their grayes-tbeir
forms.
| '-are dust,
CIV IL,