Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-09-23
YORKTOWN.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE

nc y"ot pOfNcU ucbWtWci1 Up .JFUW UUtVfy /
her hills, the last great battle aoas ciesoed apo,l
her s0il-A Visit to Fortress Monroe, Hamp- |
ton, YORKTOWN and Wiliamsbuag-A Moon |
light Ride d0aon tie PotOmGc-B eaoitching
and UnyIoaIed Scepery-F Loatigg Palaces
and Luxurious Accommodations Of the IN
land and Sed6oard CoaSting Company
The history Of Virginia is on many ac'
counts of more importance than that Of her
sister Colonies. The early date of her origin
and the singular adventures and achieve
ments of her first settlers, the important
part she took in the great struggle for lib
erty, and the illustrious characters she has
given to our councils and our armies, her
central position and great commercial adj
vantages, conspire to give her a preponder-
ance in the national scale and render her
history conspicuous in the eyes of the world.
1t was Patrick Henry Of Colonial times"
who set the ball in motion, and afterwards
drove it forward by the breath of his elo-
quence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the char
ter around which every State was TO rally
in the hour of danger. Richard Henry Lee
supported Independence at the critical mo-
ment. Randolph, Pendleton, Mason, Wythe,
Carr, Harrison, all bore their parts in en-
couraging the soul of freedom. Morgan left
his home in the beautiful valley, the
Shenandoah, TO head the forlorn hope at
Quebec, to drive the enemy before him at
Saratoga. Mercer fought and bled at Prince
ton, and Washington at Yorktown in Octo-
Der, 1881, led to victory people who were
| to go forth to shape the history of the world,
and, raising society to participation in its
government, bless the futurity Of mankind
in the establishment of personal freedom
thus unfolding another radiant chapter in
the volume Of progress. AS has been said by
distinguished historian, ait is neither on
the greatest fields of battle, nor places where
the most calamitow bloodshed has taken
place, that the recollection of future ages
is chiefly riveted." The vast theatres of
Asatic conflict are forgotten; the slaugh-
tered myriads of Tinour and Genghis Khan
lie in undistinguished graves; hardly pill
grim visits the scenes where on the fields of
Chalons and Tours, the destinies Of civliza-
ton and Christendom were fixed by the skill
| of Aetius or the yalor of Charles Martel.
1t is patriotic heroSm, it is moral grandeur
which produces durable impression, which
chains the admiration of mankind and when
time shall have grown old, the scenes and
| incidents, which the coming celebration at
Yorktown is intended to commemorate, will
continue to warm the hearts of men through
succeeding ages and attract their attention
to that period in American history when
"the enormous faith of many made for one"
was arraigned by philosophy, defied by arms
and driven before that juster creed which
rests upon individual equality, and holds
"life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
inalienable rights"
Now that public attention at home and
abroad is fully aroused and directed to an
event which is to become memorable in the
history of our country, we fastened to the
scene of action, that we might be able, in a
feeble way, to give something of its approach
and surroundings.
In the first place it is well that we should
say a word or two in relation to the origin
of the coming centennial. From diligent
inquiry we learned that the propriety OF this
celebration was first agitated by that bril-
liant and accomplished young journalist,
Col NJ. Glennan, the editor and proprietor
of the Norfolk VTyiniaR. 1t was a most
happy thought and, like mesmeric shot,
touched the very heart of the Old Common
wealth. Gov. Holiday, of Virginia, at once
issued an invitation to the Governors of the
Colonial States" requesting them ITO meet
in the City Of Philadelphia, and confer in
reference to securing ways and means for
holding such celebration. This invitation
was warmly and tlatteringly received, and
conference was had as early as the 18th
of October, 1879, Gov. Carroll representing
Maryland. The spirit was fully entered into,
and under resolution a subsequent conven-
ton was held at Yorktown, composed Of
delegates appointed by the Governors of
the Colonial States" This latter conven-
ton determined upon the holding of the
celebration, and resolution passed at the
preliminary meeting, calling upon Congress
to make an appropriation to carry out an
act passed by the Colonial Congress, few
days after the surrender, authorizing the
the erection of a monument at Yorktown,
was forwarded to the Virginia delegation
Congress acted promptly in the matter,
appropriating 100000 for the erection Of
the monument and $4,000 to aid in the
celebration, together with a committee com
posed of Senator and Member from each
of the Colonial States.
Upon concluding 10 make this visit, il
was but natural that we would seek the
most interesting and comfortable route.
This was by no means difficult, for within
half an hour after reaching Washington, we
found ourself luxuriously quartered in one
of the spacious and elegant state rooms Of
the famous Lady Of the Lake" one of the
several steamers of the Inland and Sea-
board Coasting Company, which are to ply
between Washington and Yorktown pend
4 ing the Centennial. The efficiency of the
officers, sumptuous table, ease and comfort
with very reasonable rates, have made this
line Of steamers the most popular upon the
Potomac.
Those who may determine on this route
cannot fail 10 realize that the Potomac river
from Washington TO Yorktown presents an
unbroken panorama full of romantic beauty
and crowded with the most interesting his
torical "reminiscences You have hardly
taken your seat aboard the steamer before
your eyes rest upon the old Arlington
Mansion" What memories IL recalls, and
how eloquently it seems to speak of those
splendid virtues which adorned that grand
old man. An hours ride and the tolling of
the bell reminds you that you are passing by
the tomb of one whose virtue, courage, pa
triotism and philanthropy you are hasten
| tst.r 40. A..