The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-01
Newport Ncus-Change Of Name.


| have been much interested in several
communications from DR.. Il. A. Brock and
others which have appeared in your paper
| in regard to the origin and meaning OF tho
name " Newport News" which has been
given to the point OF land which iuts into
the Chesapeake between the mouths OF
James and York rivers. The recent eX-
tension of the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
road from Richmond to this point OF land
and the construction Of extensive wharves,
elevators, and other facilities for commerce
and navigation, and the erection Of num-
Der of costly buildings. and the lay
ing off into lots and streets Of a con-
siderable tract of land at the point have
given to this locality an interest and i'm
portance which it has not heretofore pos
sessed. The harbor is said to be one OF the
best, ii not absolutely the best. on the east
ern coast OF the United States. The water
is deep enough to allow the largest ships
to approach The wharveS at any state Of the
tide, and the harbor is extensive enough "a
receive and shelter an indefinite number OF
vessels. 1t is free from obstruction by ice
in the coolest seasons, and is readily Access
sible from the bay ard the ocean without
the assistance Of phots, and il is protected
! from the storms that sometimes yeX the
waters CT Hampton Roads and the bay.
| These facts encourage the hope that this
| favored locality VIII at no distant day he
the great cOaling station for southern
bound steamers, and the seat OF large eX-
port trade in cotton, coll, llmDer. flour.
corn. wheat, and the pork and beef OF the
western and northwestern States. Should
this hope be realized it is evident that Il city
OF no small extent and population must
spring into existence before the close of the
present century at the place now known rs
Newport News.
What shall this city be named has,
therefore, become a practical question.
presume there are few who would be
disposed to retain the name 'Newport
News" The origin Of the name seems to
be involved in obsculity. No one knows
certainly how or why it was originally so
called. The name is certainly not eupho-
NOUS, nor Is il significant or suggestive.
AntiquarianS suggest that it was near that
point that Captain "NcwpOrt," Il COM
palatively obscure sea-captain, received
''news" OF some important event, and
hence the Ramel
The name Of Newport" without the
afiix "News," for an Atlantic seaport
would be Objectionable. because we already
have port OF that name in Rhode Island,
and the duplication OF it would lead to
endless confusion and difficulty in Ship
ments from foreign countries.
IL would seem, therefore, that the name
should be changed, and then the question
arises, what name shall be adopted as Il
substitute for "Newport News?
1t has been the custom in all ages and
countries to rate the achievements and yr-
tues N distinguished public benefactors by
giving their names to cities and counties
Rome derived its name from Romulus.
Alexandria, in Egypt, was named in honor
OF the conquerOr OF the world, Alexander
the Great. "Constantinople," or, as the
name implies, the city Of Constantine, has
borne testimony for nearly two thousand
years chat it was founded by the Roman
Emperor OF that name. st. Petersburg,
though bearing the prefix OF St., which
might lead to the belief that il was named
in honor OF the Apostle OF that name, it is
well knowa was named in compliment TO
Peter the Great. And in our own country
every patriot must rejoice that OR ma
tionai capital has by the formal action of
the Government been baptized with the
name OF him who was first in war, first
/ in peace, and first in the hearts of his conn
trymen." Ii was appropriately named so.
a. through aIi time to keep the remem-
brance OF his great deeds, pure patriotism,
and incorruptible Integrity always fresh in
che minds OF those who might be called TO
administer the government.
III VIII he observed that most of these
grea1 men who have gwen names 10 cities
were men who were distinguished for their
Achievements IN war. There is glare and
"pomp ana circunsfance" about martial
exploits which naturally attract the admi-
ration Of tIe people. They appeal to the
senses. and can lie understood and appre-
ci1ed by The humblest capacity. But
"peace hath her victories as well as war,o
and often they are more glorious than the
most brilliant feats OF arms. dosnot re-
Ter to victories won in the arena of politics.
Ike those gained In the last generation by |
Clay, Webster, and Calhoun, but to nobler
triumphs achieved In Il still higher field OF |
human conduct-the field OF benevolence |
and Christian charity.
What nobler spectacle can be presented |
to the minds aud hearts OF men than an in |
disidual rising. as it were, above the in
prinities OF humanity, casting behind him |
the propcnsities TO greed and sclfishness
which generally guide the actions of men,
and s0nsecrating his Fife and his prIncely |
fortune to the endowment OF colleges and
universities, founding noble institution
Tor the promotion OF culture In the fine
arts, establishing home for aged and des-
titute females, erecting churches, and scat
tering with generous hand private charl-
les wherever need and affection present q
prayer for relief
Such d man IL william w. Corcoran, %
city. 1t Is true that we can
ct Claim him ~ virginau by birth, but