The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-19

Hill thrilled forth that watchword OF the
revolution, that bithrght OF the unborn
nation, Give me Liberty or give ne Death
Here took shape those State papers al
ready referred TO- the Virginia Bill OF Righ 5.
and the first written Constitution the world
ever saw.
Here George Washington lived and moved,
and his headquarters still stands. Here
tefFars,n. the Lees, Nelson. Ben Harrison,
the Tylers, Madison, Monroe, Pres dents ana
fathers Of Presidents spent their time, and
wandered 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 bis path
Here John Marshall, thegr at CHEF Justice
lived His house yet stands. an object OF
veneration TO every man whose soul is higher
than q beasts. Some day IT will beiopg TO
the CITY. unless some sharper shall trade on
IN. indifference of the South, TO its highest
memory and turn it into second rate tene-
ments.
Here yas brought Aaron Burr after being
indicted by q grand jury OF Which John
Randolph was foreman, 10 be tired before
Judge Marshall, with VIM. Writ, Luther
Martin Iohp Wickham and John Hay OF
counsel.
Here the great DaiIeys Of old times framed
tho edicts which made and unmade PreSl-
dents and Cabinets.
Here General Winfield Scott. the Com
manderin-Chief Of two wars hyed and
married.
Here Lafayette came rs young soldier
with sword drawn for liberty and heart ired
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 people he had done 50 much
20 save.
Here lived Edgar p. Poe Americas
greatest literary Genius. The house which
was his home has 50 far survived, noble
old pile. TT for poets home. Itoyerlooks
the reaches of the James for miles and Is the
envy Of every Spectator.
Here when Civil War with half drawn
sword elowered 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 mity, and
here at last she adopted the ordinance OF
secession. and flung herself across the path
of war.
Here was est blishsd the Government Of
that child Of war, the Confederate States OF
America.
Here the leaders of the Confederacy had
their homes. and Jefferson Davis house,
General Robert E. Lees, Judah p. Benja-
minis. James A. Siddon's and other Southern
leaders houses are objects Of interest 70 the
Northern visitor if of indiffsnce TO the resi-
dent.
Throughout the four years 6f 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 Confederate army, after
the amy was dispatched against II, General
after General flung himself desperately
upon It. Hundreds Of thousands of men and
hundreds If millions of money were lost IL
the endeayor 10 capture the Confederate Cap
ital. defended as il was by gallant army
and a devoted people. For two years 1t was
practically beleaguered city.
IL 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 t~oo Of the bloodiest 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
agiuation. every spot fragrant with recoilec-
lions which must elevate the mind.
As regards its commercial importance. Rich
mond's position is no less remarkable It's
motto sic itur al astTa is not unfoundtd. The
uneyplored country, which when Colonel
Byrd. With prophetic SOUL laid out this city
beside the rapids Of the James stretched be
vond the mountains through an unknown
wilderness across trackless forests to the
French poss. ssiOps then twenty times as dis
tant as France itselfis now, have since that
DAY been opened up. His dream has been
realized. His widest imagination far more
than verified.
Even the French possessions have been Sc
cured and made tributary to the quecnly city
be founded. Mines richer than GOlcOnda's
have been discovered. Plains which are the
pranarios Of the world have been found and
cultivated. The cattle upon a thousand hills
are there in countless myraids For
ests 10 make the Dav'es Of the
world grow there. and with il AL space end
time have been practical y annihilated, and the
coal mines of the Aleghanies, and the grain
fields Of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys are
nearer Richmond to-day than Colonel Byrd's
plantation was when he laid of the city.
The foremost navigator and geogTapher OF
this century was Commodore Maury. Until
ne threw in his lot with his own people Of Viz
rinia he was a man whom the United States de
lightedt to honor. He discovered the laws OF
the winds and the tides: he laid down charts OF
the ocean, and mapped out its currents. The