The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-09
hnnond
yrs sgir OF FHB GREAT EXPOSITION
The Most Interesting Citv in
the Union.
Historical Sketch.

The frst peImhneui rc''e
xpsiish spcaking race on the American coii-
Huent was on peninsula jutting out ihto
u.mes river a short distance below hlch-
uopd. The English had already established
themselves in Virginia and had explored
the country far above the site OF klchmonu,
and had taken il in the name OF Their 200
and their King, and had representative az
semblv when the Pilgrim Fathers set 1901
on Plymouth Rock. Powhatan had TRACED
corn with the Virginia settlers, had mace
mace and war with them for years ana hau
retired from the scene amid bis naive iores's
on the banks Of the Powhatan (by the
t,omee;ck colonists foolishly changed 10 the
lanes long before Massasoit and samose'
nj the Wampanseys made their treaty WITH
Governor Carver and taught the hall staIYed
remnant Of the pilgrims TO raise corn
rsroes river from Richmond TO Old FONT
Comfort was the highway for Virginia boat
men. and jamestown, Newport News Der
mnda Hundreds and Henrico were hourlsh-
,rv colonies. when New York was Dutch
trading post and Boston was forest
Not many miles below Richmond are the
wins NJ .be Oldest Christian church which
the Saxon race built in America ana the
Peninsula is the scene Of the first struggle
,,e,ween the English race and the forces Of
the wilderness and the savage. Every 1901
of ground is more directly associated WIN
Tho settlement Of this continent than IS his
toric Plymouth Rock.
Thus Virginia is the Oldest Of all the states
In the Union. s nee that time she has re-
tanned her historic prestige
The FIST representative assembly, WhiCi
ever met on American soil convened al
Jamestown. The last Of the British Domin-
ions which held true to the Crown was Nir-
gipia which gained thus the right to be
ouartered on British Arms The hrst armed
resistance made against yicerigal tyranny
was made in Virginia and was headed by
young planter who owned the very spot on
which portion Of the city Of Richmond
now stands, one Of the boundaries oil 'he
city being named in incidental commemora-
ton Of the fact Bacon's Quarter Branch.
On Virginia soil 'ook place the long sirug-
gle between the colonies and the crown be
tween liberty and oppression, and finally from
Virginia burst forththat matches galaxy OF
Utars which founded this nation and estab-
ushed the American Union.
Along the banks Of the james 'rlshed
race which has had no parallel in This land
q race ofEngli h gentry who added to traits
inherited and transferred from their British
ancestors, a love Of freedom and a passion
for the rights Of the individual born of the
liberty of the forest. The splendid man
sjons falling to decay yet dignity and adorn
the hanks of the historic river; their work
can never decay. Its fruit is the American
Union.
Thus Virginia is historically the most in
teresting Of the States Of the Union. From
the settlement of the continent to the end OF
che great Civil War she retained unin'er-
rupted her prestige.
II WIS Virginian, Henry, who first flung
down the gauntlet at the feet OF an armed
and ,nailclad tyranny and declared for lib
erty or death. II was a Virginian, Nelson
who first moved in a general assembly that
the Delegates Of the colony in the Colonial
Congress be instructed to declare us free and
ipdependent States. 1t was Nirginian, Ma
son. who drafted the great Bill Of Right. 1t was
q Vireinian, Lee, who was selected To draw the
Declaration Of independence, and in his un-
syoidable absence, the task deyolyed upon
another Virginian, Jefferson.
II was Virgnians who first in the worlds
history ordained written Constitution as a
compact between the Governor and the gov
erned. II was Virginian who took com
mard of the armies Of the Revolution. and
after conquering Freedom for the new land,
took and held the helm Of State steady
through the rough seas which pre- eeded the
launching Of a nation. II was Virginan
who presided for nearly half a century over
the Supreme Bench of the United States and
there expounded the laws and laid down the
principles upon which the new government
was founded, with a wisdom which was
their yindicatiOn and reason which was
their proof.
AT the time Of the war Virginia had held
the Office Of President during half the period
which had elapsed since the formation of the
government; yirginians had commanded
the armies Of the country in the only TWO
wars which had taken place, and Virginians
had taken the lead in nearly every act in
volying the welfare and progress Of the
sountry.
In 1861, Virginia alter long and painful
celiberation and doubt as TO her duty, and
after exhausting every effort to effect re-
Cancellation between the hostile sections
upon her peace comm. ssioners being treated
with disdain, and upon President Lncoln's
call for troops, and demand fora passage way
through her borders, deeming this a final
violation Of her Constitutional rights with
drew from the Union. and prepared for war
Sac Immediately became the. battle-ground
Within three oD'i one OF the bloodieSi