The New York herald., 1879-10-24

tinent. We have come together to inaugurate pro-
coedings looking to the centennial celebration OF
that event. surely occasion OF profound interest.
Stepping from vigorous youth into manhood, as
suming the responsibilities of Independence. the
Confederation took its place among the ma
tions to test its virtue and strength. A
victory does not Away always mar, mark an epoch;
enough perhaps OF the destruction OF life and prop
erty. and the supremacy of arms may be- complete
eycr-but no great change is effected in the current
of the worlds history. and no spirit begins its
he student can see ei o 1s rs
from its triumphs. and can trace lasting effects
from its frightful work. Not SO with others. The
numbers engaged may be small, the carnage may in
comparison scarcely moisten the ground wi here the
armies stood. and yet the victory may signsze the
close of long war. and bring the reign of
prosperous peace; date the birth OF an age
which Is to put Influences into action that are des-
tined to tell upon the future generation OF men or
the latter, was the battle of Hastings. OF both,
was the surrender of Lord CORVALLIS upon the spot
where are now gathered. While consummate
military skill and genius were displayed, in compar
ison there were not many men engaged; thore was
not much loss of life; there much property
destroyed surrendered to the victor; closed
the long war OF the Revolution. emancipated thir-
teen colonies FROM their bond to the British Empire,
and inauguratod Power which now. after tho
lapse OF century, though grown into of the
most gigantic OF nations. has scarcely begun to
make it's full impress upon the worlds destiny.
FITTING CoMMEAoRATIoN OF A GREAT VICTORY.
1t is becoming and right that we should honor
this important event celebrate it's annual return
it is more that we should make provision for it's
centennial anniversary This Is Virginia's day and
she has invited her sister States and the federal
thorites to be her guests Two years hence all tho
States will be hosts on this spot. common heri-
tage with France their great ally and will invite the
world to wtners how they value the virtue and the
valor of the men who won the victory and how they
appreciate its wonderful results Tie thirteen little
colonies have become republic, almost covering
the continent, still growing with unequalled rapid
ty and destined to fill larger space in history than
any nation that has hitherto appeared upon Its
pages Washed by the waters OF either ocean, stretch
ing from the Arctic to the tropics it's resources are
DOuudleSS: now, AZ tile head material develop
ment. it has reached that period in its growth,
when it is ready to begin its contest for
supremacy in science, art and literature.
But above all other blessings that q people
have it holds tast to the traditions Of glorious
ancestry-Inen who laid in the noblest virtues the
broad and deep foundations of tho constitutional
freedom we now enjoy. May their genius survive to
the remotest generations. making o high minded,
brave and honest people. guarding against inter-
nal distraction by sweet memories and cheering
hopes and binding us together, with hooks steel,
against external foes. In the of the people Of
Virginia and from my own heart bid you welcome,
whatever your calling or pursuits from whatever
land you may come. bid you welcome while
to the history of forefathors, fllel with
every thing that Ia calculated elevate and inspire
and to the fruition Of their high achievements. l
bid you welcome to the contemplation of growth
unequaed by any people who have lived before
US in whatever tends to make nation powerful
and great. bid You welcome to a view Of the
future, ahd pray that may have the faith and
strength to fulfil its vast promises. One and all,
/ bid you all haiN welcome to Yorktown.
General Talliaferro. the orator Of the day, was
next introduced This gentleman is native of
Gloster county, and played prominent part in the
late war. He IL . fluent speaker. aud delivered
stirring Grafton, taking up the struggle for inde-
peudence in its earliest stages and following them
carefully until the final upon the plaius of
Yorktown, which he vividly portrayed. He paid
high tribute to the courage aad heroism the Con-
tinental army, while not forgetting to render full
Justice to the noble conduct of the gallant officers
aud soldiers of the French allies.
MR. HOPES ADDRESS
Mr.. James Barron Hope then followed in an elo.
quent address. He opened by reference to the two
hundred and fftieth anniversary Of the settlement
to later occasion when the Of tho feather
OF his Country, was unveiled the Capitol
grounds ut Richmond. Then now tho popular
heart was moved by memories of the past He con-
tinued:-
MY CouNTnYMEN-we may read over here to-day
some OF the inscriptions the foundation stone Of
the Republic and trace their origin That founda.
tion stone was blasted out from the quarres Of
Revolution at Lexington and Bunker Hill 1t was
dyed by the blood OF patriots and heroes, and
laid upon this spot nearly century ago, not with
ceremonial display OF wine and Oil and the trowel of
the Master Mason, but by the sword OF the victor
and amid the carnage OF battle The men who
achieved that stupondous work were born of u
civilization unknown to the Old World. alien to
it's traditions and hostile to tho arrogant exac-
tions OF the jus dtcsnam. A brief INQUIRY, then,
my fellow citizens, into tho growth aud develop
ment OF thft ciilizrt trn; glance at the influences
which gave strength symmetry to the charac
OF ancestors; consideration of the which
gave liberal elevation their theories OF govern
ment; in one word. few reflections their cduca
ton-the education OF the wildernoss-may not DO
out OF place to-day.
trict the next speaker In few telling remarks
he introduced a series OF resolutions. recommending
that "a committee named be appointed to inaugurate
u movement for raising the necessary funds among
the patriotic citizens OF the Union to repair the
William and Mary's College. and that they report
tions were unanimously adopted. and Hugh Blair
Grigsby. of Richmond. appointed chairman.
MAssAcHUsErTs PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTH CAROLINA.
Colonel Lincoln. who represented the Governor OF
Massachusetts,. was next introduced: He said that
U,Auphterl me- oil
to meet the people OF Virginia to-day. Virginia
and Massachusetts. In the old days. had
stood side by side in the field and in tho
councils OF the nation. and it was worthy son OF
Massac husetts. General Anthony Wayne. who had
held CORVALLIS in check while the troops of General
Washington were concentrating for the investment
Of Yorktown. He was glad to meet so many repre-
sentative Virginians. and trusted that the States
would hereafter 90 hand in hand III perfecting tho
Union
General Latta. Adjuaut General of Pennsylvania
who represented that State followed i'll brief al.
dress. lie said that Pennsylvania also claimed some
credit for the results achieved this spot. Did not
one of her most honored citizens Robert Norris of
Philadelphia. advance the sum of $1,000 900 to
further this great end? He then alluded to the great
of tho two and tser similarity and trusted
that peace and unity would forever unite them.
Colonel Staples of North Carolina, represented
that State. lie claimed that she had the honor OF
that the frst white female ever born in America had
the honor of being born on her soil. They did not
capture Lord Corvallis but they gave him all tho
tar thcy could while he was within her borders
FRANCES REPRESENTATIVE.
Professor Charlicr, representing the French
government in New York, was next introduced. lie
said that ninety-eight years ago. when the French
soldiers this spot, he did not know whether
they spoke good English. but he was satisfied they
did good lighting (Cheers.) At that time this coun-
try had some three million inhabitants and now il
has forty millions and has far out
stripped Franco itself, but If the French
had had republican governments. and n man
like George Washington ut its head things might
have been different. He hoped that III 1881, when
the citizens and soldiers OF the Republic had been
"A sscm bpd here for the
the college had bcsn resuscitated France, through
the Governor of the State ana the President the
United States. would be invited to participate in
that celebration. and that the two sister republics
will 20 hand In hand together. until the goverh-'
ments of Europe shall join them in one grand re-
public.
Major Bcamsh. of Her Majesys service. who has
been an the country four months travelling was in
troduccd and made an amusing address, He did not
want to rob them OF their honors, which had been
safely won, as both the British ana Americans win
them Mt the point OF the bayonet. (Cheers.) lie