The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-13
The PENINSULA

i
Between the James and York rivers is
represented by the Hampton Monitor. 1t
is spirited and loyal sheet, and warmly
devoted to public interests OF Virginia, as
well as to those that are to it local. In the
Monitor Of the 9th instant is the following
article upon that fine locality, which breathes
the true feeling Of proper devotion TO re-
gion truly Virginian, and whose whole ter
ritory is classic and glistening with the
events OF a history unsurpassed for its riches
by that OF any other section OF the State:
The Hampton Monitor being the only
newspaper in the counties comprising the
rich Peninsula land between the York river
and the james, we feel, naturally, not only
peculiar concern in all that pertains 10
this people industrialIy, socially, or polltl-
caly, but we have also, in reference 10 then'
that certain sense Of guardianship over tne'r
interests which is expected TO be exercised
on the part OF the public press OF every peo'
pIe who uphold it, and who are upheld ny
it. Our Peninsula is, in our estimation 1T
least. Dar excellence "the Peninsula OF
Virginia.: and all of us, "regardless OF race,
color. or previous condition" are proud OF IL
rs our home; proud Off for its early assocla,
tion with the heroic scenes OF the stern ola
colonial times; proud of it for the brave
and brilliant part its people piapcd' lloui
first to last, in the grand drama OF tue hego-
Union: proud OF 1t for its 1ertllc heius ,
proud of it for its fine forests that SUI slaiit'
70 give border to its smiling plains ana Dack,
ground to the view from It's Two Deautliul
rivers, rolling in rivalry, almost slae ny
history: for its orderly, intelligent, enter
nriSina neople: for its varied resources
its waters as well as its lands; for what 1t
has been. for what it is, and for what 1t is
to be. -,
The first burst OF almost the first wave OF
war on our southern shores, more than
eighteen years ago, was here-here in this
came little county OF Elizabeth City; and
| in a little while that war.waye washed,
| with all the surging of q tempestuous sea,
| from end to end OF our happy Peninsula
land, bearing wreck and ruin and sorrow
! along with it as it went onward in its waste.
! For four weary and dreary years those
waves OF war flowed and ebbed in alternate
tide throughout the length and breadth
OF this narrow territory between the
York and the james. At last peace
came, and to those OF the old citizens
OF our Peninsula who, survived TO see
it, there was presented spectacle OF desc
lation truly sckening. to every christian
lied human heart by which it was contem
plated. But the "Peninsua" people are a
brave and resolute people, and they soon
showed by their energies that there wa:
IS life in the old land yet" From year to yea,
for nearly fifteen years now the heroism Of
this people has grandlY exhibited in a no.
BILE endurance OF reverses, in steady per.
sistency toward recuperatiop, in brayely
bearing UP under bad seasons for their
crops, in manfully struggling with misfor-
tune such as few people have encounter.
ed-in fighting tie Fates inch by inch ana
lfoot by foot for hung in their oaon
tand. In all these trials, in all this strug-
Cling, in all this fierce conflict, hand to hand
with adversely, 10 its many Protean shapes
the grace of God has hovered oyer our Pc
ni'sulG; her brave PEOPLE have at least
lived, and lived through their troubles, We
trust And we believe itf our hearts thai
not far in the future there is a golden day
when In each and all these game little eoun
ties between the James and York there
will be witnessed both general and an IN
diYidual prosperity such as was neve
known even In the happiest annals OF an!
section OF our southern land before. l
needs no OWNERS eye to see, and to se
clearly, that this is so. 2 /