The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-03-25


that scene, who have been formally invited
by the Government to participate.
Thus this proposed celebration has passed
from local into a national affair. and oil
the states which owe their existence directly
or indirectly TO the triumph Of that day in
tend 10 recognize Its centennial return with
a memento and with ceremonies worthy oil
the Republics birth and greatness.
Some patriotic gentlemen, conceiving that
the few DAYS assigned 10 the celebration by
the Commission Of Congress would not be
sufficient 10 meet the expectations or accom-
modaie the ihrongs that would gather from
every part Il the land, obtained charter,
under which they have organized an asso-
cialion having these objects in view. They
propose to purchase the farm on which the
| monument Is to he erected, and on which
the terms OF The surrender were signed. and
extending the celebration over some days,
have an exhibition worthy Of the event.
/ The Commission Of Congress have agreed
TO this and are working IN harmony with
I the Association. ard we may expect an oc-
casion such as has never taken place upon
I the soil OF our State before. Hon. John
GOode is the pre- ident OF this Association,
and also a member OF the Congressional
| Commission, and will fully explain TO you
! the objects and aims OF both.
| We have gathered this evening in the
capital OF the old Commonwealth to eX-
press our sympathy with these proceedings
and help on the movement. We live in a
much-fsvored land. and history has filed it
with scenes and incidents the remembrance
of which cannot fade from thoughts OF
men. Those who lived before us here were
heroes in their day. and as tbey acted out
I . in liz. LOFT
word or deed that has given to Virginia a
pcrpetuity OF fame.
And by that strange. far.reaching power
when belongs 70 everything that is good
ana great, we cannot and DO not claim them
! for ourselves alone. They have gone abroad,
1 and are now breathing through the Repub-
| lies life and helping IN It's giant growth.
But whilst these things are cause 10 Us OF
much iOv and pride. they are also cause OF
rcspoasibiiitv aud cafe. Washington and
Yorktown belong tO virginia; but not
alone. We have .iycn tDem-a rich heri-
tage-to the ReruDlic, aud to call after
times" Let them build their monuments
upon the scene OF the surrender to mark Il
peoples birthplace TIL they pierce The sky.
! We eve them Gods peed. We will throw
omen our hearts AID homes and bail them as
they come from every part of ,he Republic.
and the children of our ancient ally from
bpyoud the sea. We Will welcome them
within our borders and ponr out richest
libations on their work. Inspired by the
same genius which moved the generation
that made yorktown immortal one hundred
years agp. we will show to all the world how
| in virginia patriotism and hospitality still
survive.
At tue conclusion OF these remarks Hess
nich's Blnd and the grand chorus, directed
/ by Professor Sicgel. burst forth into The
national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Ban
ner." II was well rendered. and was re-
ceived with enthusiastic cheers.
TIE Governor again coming forward ,aid /:
"My countrymen. now introduce to you
nos. JOHN GOODE,
member Of this commission and president
OF the Yorktown Centennial Association
Mr.. Goode addressed the vast thrOng IN
lengthy and stIrrlug speech on the subject
which had called them together. lie
thanked them for the generous outpOurlng,
which was an exhibition OF the great inter-
est which had been aroused for the event
which was to be celebrated, not 30 much
for himself as for the entire country. lie
referred graphically 10 the surrender OF
Earl CornwallIs 10 his EXccllency General
GeOr-e Washington and the cOmm1nd-
ers Of tbe allied armies OF France, and
the subsequent expression OF Joy through
ont the Colony thereat, and especial
" TO the action u the Contlnent
nj Congress in reference TO placing
a suitable monument at Yorktown 10 mart
that event. "The resolution OF thal
Congress-" said Mr.. GOOde, "haS no
vet been carried into effect, although
neatly one hundred years have elapsed
But, nv cOuntrymcn, congratulate
Won and the country ut large TO
might from the bottom OF nv heart tba
the steps have been taken by Congress ant
the American people TO fulfil the pledge
made to uo>terity OF chrOnicliHg the gre@
deeds OF yalOr in war accompl she'd 10y Gen
eral George Washington and his comrades
in.armS.v He then referred 10 the meet
ing Of the Governors OF the thirteeI
loriginal States. called by the Governor
Of the Old Dominion, and held II
Carpeuter', Tor independence Hall, il
PhiIadelphil. in October, 1879, wheI
ltbey, after stirring speeches had been made
by all OF those present, adopted resolution
lifting To the clmmemOratiOn OF that grea
!evcnt-lhc surrender at Yorktown. Th'
sneaker here mentioned briefly the prelimi
mary meeting aud celebration held at York
town soon thereafter, and cited the actor
oi that meeting in passing resolution call
iug upOn the Government for aid IN render
lino effective the Centennial celebration
one Congress OF the United States
IN RESPONSE TO That resolution, haC
pa,>ed IN act on the 9TH OF June, 1880
appropriating 500 900 for monument
and $4,000 for the erection OF the same
Or the lSth OF February. 1881, Congress
had passed a JOINT resolution in>lructn!
The President 10 extend 10 the people o
France and the family OF lafayette an in
yiiation 10 attend the Centennial, and $50,
600 was provided therein 10 entertain theSt
visitors. The sum appropriated, said Mr.
GOo0e, was wholly insufficient 10 com
memoratc such an event in keepns
with the grandeur OF our country
He here referred 10 the work that was L
he done. Ii was necessary To put th'
grounds in order, 10 prov ide comfortable
arrangements for the accommodation o
tiIy thousand people, and the Association
had undertaken !hc matter. IL is now per
fectly apparent that there would be al
enormous cOnc0urse OF people present
"They are coming" said he" The people
the people are coming. The free people o
the United States are coming 10 commemorate
the glorious achievement witnessed on tha
spot, and now the question arises, how ar
we TO provide for tnem-what can we do 70
lhem:" lie spoke OF the failure OF the Nir
oiDia LEGISLATURE 10 appropriate anythn!
toward, this celebration; " but" said he
Virginia Is bound to become. to great eX
tent, the principal host. Could the old mo
ther turn her back upon her children
Neveri" lie here referred to the adyan
iages which could be offered Nrginii
OF exhibiting her internal resources snt
natural advantages; but he felt it an injus
tice TO the Virginia character to dwell upoi