The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-27

historical region, Of the most historical State
of the Union.
One cannot walk the streets or take turn
about the environs without stumbling o er
recollections."
Here, as has been said. the first settlers
stopped, here Nat Bacon, the Rebel. sprang TO
horse and rode hence clamoring to James
town with revolution and Liberty armed for
individual rights at bis back.
Here came the representative branch OF
the Colonial Government in the time when
| revolution again brooded over the land, and
when men were gravely weighing their
liberties against their heads and lands.
Here met the great convention whose
members here devised this Government and
formulated ordinances which till then un-
known, have since become inalienable heri-
tage of mankind.
Here. in old st. Johns Church, still stand
ing amid the trees and graves on Church
HILL thrilled forth that watchword Of the
revolution that brthright of the unborn
nation, Give me Liberty or give me Death. ="
Here took shape those State papers al
ready referred to, the Virginia Bill of RICH
and the first written Constitution the world
ever saw.
Here George Washington lived and moved,
and his headquarters stu stands. Here
| jefferson. the Lees, Nelson. Ben Harrison,
the Tylers. Madison. Monroe, Pres dents, end
| fathers of Presidents spent their time, and
pondered their problems Of state-and many
others Of the giants lived and loved and
strove. Here Tarleton, the Raider swept
everything before him, till young Lafayette
Gro sed his rath.
Here John Marshall, thegr al Chief Justice
lived. His house yet stands, an object Of
veneration 10 every man whose soul is higher
than beasts. Some day 1t will belong 20
the CITY. unless some sharper shall trade on
the Indifference Of the South, 70 its highest
memory and turn it into second rate tene-
ments.
Here was brought Aaron Burr after being
indicted by a grand jury Of which John
Randolph was foreman, TO be tired before
Judge Marshall. with VIM. Writ, Luther
Martin. John WicAham and John Hay 81
counsel.
Here the grelt Daileys Of old times framed
the edicts which made and unmade Pres-
dents and Cabinets.
Here General Winfield Scott the Com
manderin-Chief Of two wars lived and
married.
Here Lafayette came as a young soldier
with sword drawn for liberty and heart fired
with dreams Of the Cid. and berean old man
who had seen and had tempered as he might
the horrors Of the most appalling revolution
which shocked liberty with her own
name he returned 70 receive applause and
affection Of a people he had done SO much
70 save.
Here lived Edgar A. Poe America S
greatest literary Genius. The house which !
was his home has so far survived. noble |
old pile, fit for poets home lto'erlooks
the reaches of the James for miles and is the
envy Of every Spectator.
Here when Civil War with half drawn
sword clowered on the land, when common |
wealths stood face to face ready to spring |
took place the momentous, but unsuccess-
ful effort of Virgin the Mother Of states
and statesmen. TO avert the ca'amity, and |
here at last she adopted the ordinance OF
secession, and flung herself across the path |
of war
Here was est blish d the Government Of
that child Of war, the Confederate States OF
America.
Here the leaders Of the Confederacy had
their homos. and jefferson DAYS house
General Robert f. Lees Judah +. Benla- |
Minis. James a Siddon's and other Southern |
leaders houses are objects of interest to the
Northern visitor if of indiiience to the RESI-
dent
Throughout the four years Of the Civil |
War Richmond was the point of attack, the /
prime object of endeayor Of the Federal I
armies.
If was the heart Of Virginia and Virginia /
was the heart Of the Confederate army after
the amy was dispatched against IT, General |
after General flung himself desperately |
upon it. Hundreds Of thousands Of men and
hundreds Of millions of money were lost IN
the endeavor to capture the Confederate Cap
ital. defended as It was by gallant army |
and devoted people. For two years 1t was
practically beleaguered city.
In three different campaigns the guns OF
the enemy could be heard from her hill
tops.
Almost within walk Of the city are the ba'-
tie fields of two of the bloodiest campaigns
of modern warfare, and within easy ride OF
those of two more.
Thus stands Richmond full of memories, the
xecca Of the historian. every road associated
with events whose recall must kindle the in
agination. every spot fragrant with reconec-
,ions which must elevate the mind.
As regards its commercial Importance kich
mond's position is no less remarkable lis
mo,to sic itur adj astra is not unfounded The
unexplored country, which when Colonel
Byrd. with prophetic soul laid out this city
beside the rapids Of the James, stretched be
vona the mountains through an unknown
;tar,oes across trackless forests 10 the