The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-22

historical region, Of the most historical State
Of the Union.
One cannot walk the streets or take turn
about the environs without stumbling DER
recollections."
Here, as has been said, the first settlers
stopped, here Nat Bacon, the Rebel, sprang to
horse and rSde hence clamoring to James
town with revolution and liberty armed for
individual rights at his 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 I'M
known, have since become inalenable 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 tigh's.
and the first written Constitution the world
ever saw.
Here George Washington lived and moved,
and his Headquarters still stands. Here
jefferson, the Lees. Nelson. Ben Harrison,
the Tvlers. Madison. Monroe, Presidents, and
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
crossed bis path.
Here John Marshall, thegrfat ChiefJrstice
lived. His house yet stands, an object Of
veueration 10 every man whose soul IS higher
than a beasts Some day 1t will belong to
the citv. unless some sharper shall trade on
the indifference of the South, % It's 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, 10 be tried before
Judge Marshall, with VIM. Writ, Luther
Martin. John Wickham and John Hay OF
counsel.
Here the great Daileys Of old times framed
the edicts which made and unmade Presi-
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 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 TO receive the applause and
affection Of a people be had done so much
to save.
Here lived Edsar A. Poe America S
greatest literary Genius. The house which
was bis home has 50 far survived noble
old pile fit for poets home ltoyerlooks
the reaches Of the james for miles aud is tie
envy Of every Spectator
Here when Civil War with half drawn
sword plowered on the land, when common
wealths stood face to face ready 70 spring,
took place the momentous, but unsuccess-
ful effort Of Virgini,. the Mother Of states
and statesmen. TO avert the caamity' and
here at last she adopted the ordinance OF
secess on. and flung herself across the pain
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 homss, and Jefferson Davis house
General Robert f. Lees, Judah p. Benja-
minis. James A Siddon' andother Southern
leaders houses are objects Of interest to the
Northern visitor if of indiflence 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.
II was the heart Of Virginia, and Virginia
was the heart Of the Confed rate army after
the amy was dispatched against il, General
after General flung himself desperately
mon IL. Hundreds Of thousands Of men and
hundreds Of millions of money ware lost IN
the endeayor TO capture the Confederate Cap
ital. defended as it was by gallant army
and devoted people. For two years it was
practically a 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
tle fields Of Of the bloodest campaigns
of modern warfare. and within easy ride OF
those Of two more.
Thus stands Richmond full OF memories, the
Mecca of the historian. every road associated
with events whose recall must kindle the i'm
aginatlon. every spot fragrant with recoAec-
tons which must elevate the mind.
AS regards its commercial importance. Rich
mond's position is no less remarkable Its
motto sic itur ad 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
voud the mountains through an unknown
wilderness. across trackless forests 20 the
French possf ssions. then twenty times rs dis
tan, as France itself is now. have since that