Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-10-28
TIE YORKTOWN CELEBRATION.

on the 10Th instant, 60 lnaugurete measutes
for the proper observance of the centennial
ofithe surrender of CORVALLIS at Yorktown.
Governors Holiday, Hoyt Simpson, Jarvis,
Carroll. Andrews. Hall, and Col. Solomon
Lincoln, Jr., representing Governor Talbot,
were present. The. Governors of New York,
New Jersey, Rhode Island and Georgia sent
letters expressing sympathy with the move
msnt, and regrettipg their absence. The
meeting was organized by the election of
Governor Holiday as president, and Colonel
Solomon Lincoln, Jr., of Massachusetts, as
secretary. In reply to the welcoming re-
marks Of Governor Hoyt, Governor Holiday
responded in handsome address, saying:.
.sThe reception rendered vas an earnest
that the bond which bound our sires one to
another an hundred years ago is not severed,
but that, meeting amid the scenes of their
labors, we can enter into and appreciate the
profound sentiments which inspired them and
the heroic ends at which they arrived. Vir-
ginia helped to make Carpenters aud [nde
pendence Hall historic. The genius of Wash.
ingtoD, and Henry, and Jefferson, and Rich>
ard Henry Lee, and many other noted Vir-
ginians moved here and left its aroma, which
survives to this our day filling these now
Governor Holiday said he would not for one
moment dwell upon the horrors of the late
long and bloody war. Peace now ought to
reign. and if he could judge anything from
the kind words and from the faces around
him, peace does reign. Let bittcr memories
die; the republic survives. The splendid
structures built in commomoration of the
republics hundredth birthday, and their
contents symbols of vitality, assure us that
it does yet live in the yigor of it's early
youth. Let elimination aud rscrimination
cease-they can do no good. The battle has
been fought; the victory won. Let us cher
ish the name and faith of those who fell on
either side. God, in the wise dispensation
of His providence, will not permit such suf,
fering to be in vain. Out of it virtue will
aow which will generate broader and more
burning patriotism, and watt still higher the
ensign Of the republic The people of Vir>
ginia have dismissed all malice, and are learn
ing lesson from nature herself; pleuteous
harvests are waving over battlefelds where
lately every blade of grass was tipped with
human blood. The feelings which engen-
dcred aud stimulated the war have been SUI
perseded by the gentler and sweeter charms
of peace. And now, what forbids that we
should, all bitterness banished, hand in hand
together visit the scenes made famous by our
sires in the country's story? These centen-
NAL times are bringing round from year to
year-almost from month to month-the
memory of some place marked by incidents
of courage aud devotion; for there is not
State of tho old thirteen, from New Hamp-
shire to Georgia, within whose borders they
are not to be found and whose people do
not cherish them with admiration aud pride.
Properly appreciated, these memorable spots
will bind our States together as with
magic chain. And as the republic moves.on
with giant steps, the wonder of history, lot
US, under the standard of the Union, whilst
gathering up the recollections Of our fore
fathers, not forget the noble men who on
either side in these latter days have added
so much to the reuown of American virtue
and valor: For, rest assured the great deeds
they performed were not idle and without
avail; they will have their part in the work.
ing out of the republics life So has it ever
been in nations real and sturdy growth.
Impelled by these sentiments, we are here
to day by the kind invitation of yourself and
the authorities to make arrangements for the
national celebration Of the surrender of Lord
CORVALLIS at Yorktown. AS we have in
terest in these scenes, 80 have you like in>
terest in the scene of that surrender upon the
soil of the old Commonwealth and in the name
of my State 1 invite you with equal cords
atty to be with US then and there. II it was
right for us here on the ground where VIC
stand, and in view of the scene of the first
great act Of the Revolution, to celebrate it's
centennial return, it is equally right that VIC
should together celebrate at Yorktown the
one hundredth anniversary of the last act of
the grand drama"
At sere1ade to the Governors, at the
Continental Hotel. Governor Holiday made
another speech, from which. we extract the
fbllowing:
lIy Counuymen.-I call you my country.
men because, though 1 hail from different
State, one ensign is over us all.
The eordiality-I may say enthusiasm
with which have been received in this city
by your authorities and by the people makes
me feel at home. The invitation extended
to me, and the object OF my visit, are enough
to break down every barrier-if such in any
way existed make us look upon each
other as members of one household, with
common memories common hopes, and
common destiny.
As far as individually am concerned the
traces of enlargement were removed several
years ago, when l represented Virginia on
the Centennial Commission. The friendly
Intercourse with my brother commissioners
from this and other States, and the incidents
OF my visits then, are among the most pro-
itable and pleasing of my life. 1t seemed
to rae that the object for which we met and
the glorious associations quite obliberatcd
unkind recollections, and we felt as if We
were moving once more, hand in hand in our
onward and upward way, to the step and
music of the olden time.
Why should it not be so2 went into the
Confederate war and cast my all into its for.
tunes because believed it to be right?
What other object could have had? Men
do not, by open declaration, give their prop
erty and limbs and offer their lives for a
rae,n tb;o. c. oboa,f,ll-