Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-22

within its bosom the sacred ashes OF
Washington. and chcrishes not less the
principles which once kindled them
with fires Of Heaven dcscendcd-it
has seemed fitting to you, gentlemen
that citizen Of that State should also
be invited to deliver an address on tins
occasion.
Would with all my heart that
worthier one, not |, had been your
choice. Too highly do esteem the po-
sition in which you place me to feel
aught but solemn distrustfulness and
apprehension. And who, indeed, might
not shrink from such theatre, when
Winthrop's eloquence still thrilled All
hearts, with Washington the theme!
Yet, in yirginia's name thank you
for the honor done her, even in the Per-
son of her humble son who is the medi-
UNI of its acceptance. She deserved II.
In her merit hide my insigniiicance'
Times there are when even hardihood IS
virtue: and to such virtue alone do
lay claim in yenturing to abide your
choice to be her spokesman.
None more than her could ofend
did j take opportunity to give her UNI
due cxaltation. Her foremost son does
not belong to her alone, nor does she
so claim him. His part and her part
in the revolution would have been as
naught but for what was done SO gio-
riously by his brothers in council and
in arms. and by her sister colonies who
kept the mutual pledge of Z" life, for
tune. and sacred honor"
New Hampshire, Massachusetts,,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York.
New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Delaware,
MARYLAND, North Carolina, South Caro-
lima, Georgia--your comrade of the
DAYS that tried mems souls, salutes
YOU in honor, and affectiOn--no laurel
could be plucked too bright for Vir-
ginia's hand to lay upon your brows.
And we, our younger companions
who have sprung forth from the wilder
ness, the prairie, and the mountain, and
now extend your empire to the tar
slopes where your teeming cities light
their lamps by the setting sun-what
grandcr tribute to the past what
happier assurance of the present-what
more suspicious omens of the future
could Heaven vouchsafe us than those
which live, and move, and have their
being in your presence
But may ] not remind you that
Washington was Virginian before he
became an American, to tell his coun-
trymen that the name OF American
which belongs to you in your national
capacity must always exalt the just
pride Of patriotism more than any APP
pellation derived from local discrmlna-
tions?" And if ] seek the fountains
from which sprung a character so in
stinct with all-embracing patriotism
shall pursue line that seems not with
out suggestion in the invitation given
me, and may not be without an useful
lesson.
The puritans Of England, who. from
the landing at Plymouth in 1920 to the
uprising against Charles !. IN l64O.
"turncd to the New World, in the Ian
gnacc of Canning, ito redress the bal
ance of the Old" were quickly followed
to America by new stream of immi-
grafton that has left as marked an im-
press upon our civilization between the
South Atlantic and the Mississippi as
the sons of the Pilgrims have made be-
tween the North Atlantic and the Lakes.
vIRGINIA'S LOYALTY.
When Charles |. was beheaded IN
! 1919. and when his son, the second
Charles, was beaten a. Worcester III
/ 1861. multitudcs Of the Kings men
turned their faces also to the new land
of hope the very events which checked
the emigration of the Puritans to New
England, giving impulse to the tide
which moved the Cavaliers to the Old
Dominion. Between 1850 and 1910 the
Virginia colony increased from fifteen
thousand to forty thousand souls and
nearly one half of this number thither
came within tie decade after the execu-
ton of the King and the rise Of Crom-
wells Commonwealth on the ruins OF
his throne.
Intense loyalist, were these new Viz
rinians who would defend the crown
if it hung upon bush" -: and when IN
deed its substance vanished with the
royal head that wore it, these " faithful
subjects of King and Church - held al
legiance to its phantom and to the eN-
lied claimant. But they were not in
attentive to their liberties, and if Viz
cinia was the last of all the countries
belonging to England to submit to Crom-
well, vet she was also the = first STATE
: in the world composed of separate Dor
ouehS. difiused over an extensive sur
face, where representation was organ
lied on the principle Of universal sui
(ragc.' And in the very terms o
surrender to the Commonwealth 1t wa
stipulated that the people Of Nir
ginia " should have all the liberties o
the frce-born people Of England; Shcult
ontrust their business as formerly t
their own Grand Assembly. and shoul'
remain unqucstioncd for past loyalty e
the King.
As in New England the Pilgrim col
ony grew apace, 80 IN Virginia pros
pered that of the cavaliers. With tn
love of landed estates, which is an in
, stinct of their race. they planted thei
t homes in the fertile lowlands, buildin
great houses on broad acres, surround
. cd by ornamental grounds and gardens
Mimic empires were these large e'
5 tates, and certain barOnial air pei
f yaded them. Trade with Europ
: loaded the tables OF their prOpri'
= tors with Injuries rich plate adorne
+. them. Household drudgerieS wei
e separated from the main dwell
: ing. The family became go'
e ernment within itself-ihe mistrc'
v rural gueer-the master Loo
Il potentate. with his graziers. secdsmel
f gardeners. brewers, butchers, and cooE
c around him. Many of the heads OF fan
y lies were travelled and accompllshC
c men. The parishes were ministered
c by the clergy of the Established ChurcI
q L. .to Ill roliooo of William and Mar