The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-06

zed world, claiming less of power for the Sow
eregn, more OF freedom for the subject.
If this day belonged exclusively to any
State or section of this Union, who has Il bet
ter right to celebrate it than we? Il was the
resistless eloquence of Virginia's Henry that
impelled the revolution. 1t was her Jefferson
who framed the Declaration of Independence
that gives this day its significance and its glo-
~. 1t was her Richard Henry Lee who moved
its adoption by the Continental Congress. 1t
was her " ashington who led the armies of the
revolution to victory and placed OH the brow of
the genius of America the crown OF freedom.
(Applause.)
But its observance is not bounded by State
lines on sectional divisions. The memory of
the men who made this day hallowed forever
is the priceless heritage of mankind, the sacred
possession OF the oppressed of every cline, it
walks the earth like spirit, binding the living
with the dead. (Applause) Whatever dif1el-
ences American people may entertain on .consti-
| tutional or legal questions or governmental
policy, all this day recall the memories OF
the founders OF the American Republic, the
signcrs of the Declaration of Independence
with full and proud hearts. From border to
border of this broad land, from the mountains
to the seas. on the hills and plains, by the
rivers and in the valleys, in the humblest hut
on the mountain side, and in the palatial man
nor in the city by the sea, whether in the cities
OF the old world or in the forest OF the new,
wandering amid the sands OF the tropics, or
the SHOWS of the polar seas, zoe are THIS day
one people, prolonged appause,) joined in the
celebration OF the anniversary which marks
the close of the first century Of American In
| dependence. The tumut of political passion
| is hushed for the day, political animostles
! slumber for the time, and in the hearts OF all
reigns the spirit of Columbia as she looks from
her home in the clouds, on the graves of her
dead warrior children
asleep under the sod and dew,
Awaiting the Judgment day,
Love and tears for the blue,
Tears and love for the gray
/ Capt Paul then referred to the growth Of
our country, and after an apology for the
brefness of his history OF Rockingham county,
owing to the short time since the task had
been allotted him, and the fact that the records
of this county had been burnt during the war,
he said substantially as follows:
/ The first settlements in the territory com
prising Rockirg CHAM county, were make about
the year 1888 OIL 1876. The first settlers were
English, Irish and Scotch-Irish, being part of
the colony founded by John Lewis, who set
tied near StaUl Ion on the creek that bears his
name. They came into the Valley through
the Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge, bringing
their possessions on pack-mules. The Linvillc
Greek country was settled few years later by
Germans from Pennsylvania, who came up
the Nalley--a continuation of the settlement OF
Frederick and Shenandoah counties Rock
lngham county was named after the Marquis
! OF Rockingham, an English nobleman and
staunch friend Of the colonies during the Rev
olutlon. Rockingham was formed from ALL
gusta county in October, 1777. The territory
embraced within the limits OF Augusta county
at That time, now comprises five entire States.
Rockingham originally extended from the
Blue Ridge to the Allegheny mountains in
length and from the Augusta line to the
Shenandoah county line in width. Her limits
were considerably diminished by the formation
OF Pendleton county in 1888, and by the for
nation Of Page county in 1881.
The first County Court of Rockingham was
held on the 9th day of April, ITS. Capt.
Paul then read q number OF minutes from the
Court Records, many of them being very amu-
sing. The first Circuit Court was held OH the
oath of April, 1909, Hon. Hugh Holmes presi-
ding, Henry J. Gambl clerk. The first court
house was erected two miles south Of the pres
ent court house. OIL the farm now owned by
! Mrs. Smith. The present site of the court
| house was selected at the May term of the
| County Court, 1779, the majority of the court
being favorable to fixing it on the plantation
OF Thomas Harrison, near the head of the
Spring." There was at that time quite con-
test between the site selected and Keezetown.
were found in these early days against persons
who were too loyal to the King. He also in
formed the audience that at that time Rock
ingham county had but one lawyer, now she
| IS proud of Owefty-one and supports them
He then me- toned the names Of many who
were pcomil ent in those early days whose de-
scendents are now among our best people,
among others the Grattans, Renes, Harms
bergers, Bears, WaTens, &c. The Lin
coins. of Rockingham, were the ancestors of
the late President Lincoln. q historical fact not
without interest, and which seems fully es-
tablished by letters written in 1S4S by Abra
ham Lincoln. to the late David Lincoln, of
this county. Capt. Panl then real ,severallet-
tiers from A. Lincoln.
Capt. Paul concluded as follows: "It is Il
striking historical fact. that q people more de-
voted to the Union of the States could no
where be found before their dissolution, and
that when in obedience to the call of their
State they took up arms in her defense, no
men fought harder, sor trucr, or Drawer in
battling. for the cause they espoused. Reluc-
tant as they were to take up arms the sense
of duly was the impelling power. The unselfish
devotion of her daughters and the splendid
herOsm OF her sons, present to the world q
people whose splendid achievements have
rarely been equalled and never surpassed. Her
children have woven garland of fame and pla-
ced it on the brow Of their queen MOTHER and
W,
fortitude, devotion and self immoation on the
altar OF purpose remain human virtues, and
receive the homage of mankind. (Applause.)
Rockingham standing as she does, the third
county in the State in wealth and population,
with an industrious and energetic people, her
fertile soil and vast mineral resources, with
enterprise and capital seeking Investment in
her borders, what may we not hope for in the |
future, in her increase in wealth, and popua-
ton and power.
My friends, let us so employ the means in
our hands that when the journey of life is |
drawing to close we may look upon the in
creased prosperity Of the county of our homes
and be able to say ''this is in part of our
work. and it is not yet finished.'' May she
ever be the home of pure and noble. women,
and of brave, honest and true men, May we
so live that coming generations when they
meet on like occasions, in scanning the history
of their State and Country may say, ''here in |
deed lived a people whose lives are deserving
of our following, whose deeds are deserving CT
our emulation.''
At the conclusion of Capt. Paul's address,
upon motion of Col. Robert johnson, secon-
ded by c. Douglas Gray. it was decided to
have the address published in the county pa
pers Capt. Paul will, learn, furnish the |
county papers in a few days with the manu-