The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-18

II Hl'I4'd f'-lDuf OF lllt must llal nll'ai DtdtI
Of the Union.
7 One cannot walk the streets or take a turn
, about the envrons without stumbling DER
recollections."
Here, as has been said. the first settlers
stopped, here Nat Bacon the Rebel sprang 20
horse and rode hence camoring 20 James
town with revolution and liberty armed for
individual rights at bis back.
Here came the representative branch of
the Colonial Government in the tine when
revolution again broodtd over the land, and
when men were grayely 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 herr
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 birthright 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 Righ 3
and the first written Constitution the world
ever saw.
Here George Washington lived and moved,
and his headquarters still stands. Here
letters n. the Lees. Nelson, Ben Harrison,
the Tylers, Madison. Monroe, Pres dents, snd
fathers Of Presidents spent their Time, and
pondered their problems Of state-and many
others of the giants lived and loved and
s,rove. Here Tarleton, the Raider, swept
everything before him, till young Lafayette
Gro, sed his Path.
Here John Marshall tnegr al ChiefJustice'
lived. His house yet stands, an object OF
vencration TO every man whose soul is higher
than beasts. Some day It sill belong TO
the city. unless some sharper shall trade on
the indifference Of the South, to 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 tried before
Judge Marshall, with Vim. Writ, Luther
Martin. John Wics ham and John Hay Of
counsel.
Here the great Daileys Of old times framed
the edicts which made and unmade Presl-
dents and Cabinets.
Here General Winfield Scott the Com
handkerchief 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 here an 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 the applause and
affection of a people he had done so much
to save.
Here lived Ed-ar A. Poe Americas
greatest literary Genius. The house which /
was bis home has so far survived, noble |
old pile, fit for pets home ltoverlooks
the reaches Of the James for miles and IS the
envy Of every speculator.
Here when Civil War with half drawn
sword glowered on the land, when common |
wealths stood face 10 face ready to sprng |
took place the momentous' but unsuccess-
full effort of Virgini the Mother OF states
and statesmen. TO avert the ca amity, ana
here at last she adopted the ordinance oil
secess' on, and flung herself across the path
of war.
Here was est blish the Government OF
that child Of war the Confederate States OF
America.
Here the leaders of the Confederacy bad
their hom,s, and Jefferson DAVIS house |
General Robert T. Lees, Judah 7. BenJa- /
Minis. James \ Siddon and other Southern
leaders houses are objects Of interest to the
Northern visitor if of indifience 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
armies.
It was the heart Of Virginia and Virginia
was the heart Of the Confed rate army after
the Amy was dispatched against it, Genera!
after General flung himself desperately
] upon IL. hnnlftdS Oh thoHHaAN'S va lAleAA N''t
/ hundreds Of millions Of money were lost IN
the endeavor to capture the Confederate Cap /
ital. defended as it was by gallant army I
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 bat
tie fields Of two of the bioodiest campaigns
OF modern warfare. and within easy ride oil
those of two more.
Thus stands Richmond full Of memories, the
Neccaof the historian. every road associated
with events whose recall must kindle the i'm
agnation, every spot fragrant with recolec-
tons whichmust elevate the mind.
AS regards its commercial importance, hch 1
mond's position is no less remarkable. Its
motto sic itur al astra is not unfounded. The /
unexpiored country. which wheA Colonel 4
Byrd, with prophetic soul Ia out this city |
beside the rapids OF the ..ames, stretched be
yond the mountains. through an unknown
wilderness, acn = trackless forests 10 the /
] a. 0 f,,ne "a is