The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-23


historical region, Of the most historical State
Of the Union.
One cannot walk the streets or take turn
about the environs without stumbling oer
recollections."
Here. as has been said, the first settlers
stopped. here Nat Bacon, the Rebel, sprang to
horse and rode hence clamoring 10 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 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 IN
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
and the first written Constitution the world
ever saw.
Here George Washington lived and moved
and his headquarters still stands. Here
Jeffers,n. the Lees, Nelson, Ben Harrison
the Tylers, Madison, Monroe, Presidents, end
fathers Of Presidents spent their time, and
Wondered their problems Of state-and many
other, Of the giants lived and loved and
stroye. Here Tarleton, the Raider swept
everything before him, till young Lafayette
Gro. sed his path.
Here John Marshall thegr'at ChiefJustice'
lived. His house yet stands, an object OF
yeneration TO every man whose soul is higher
than beasts Some day 1t will belong to
the city. unless some sharper shall trade on
the Indifference of the South. 10 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
Iudge Marshall. with Wm. Writ, Luther
Martin. John Wcbham 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 korean 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 theapplause and
affection Of people he had done SO much
to save.
Here lived Ed,ar A. Poe America
greatest literary Genius. The house which
was his home has so far survived, noble
old pile, fit for poets home loverlooks
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'amity, and
here at last she adopted the ordinance OF
secession. and flung herself across the path
of war.
Here was est blishtd 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 T. Lees, judah 7. BenJa-
minis. James 4. 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 endeavor Of the Federal
armies.
1t was the heart Of Virginia and Virginia
was the heart Of the Confed rate army after
the army was dispatched against it, General
after General flung himself desperately
upon ii. Hundreds Of thousands Of men and
hundreds Of millions of money were lost III
the endeavor TO capture the Confederate Cap
ital. defended as it was by gallant army
and a devoted people. For Two years 1t was
practically a beleaguered city.
In three different campaigns the guns oil
the enemy could be heard from her hui
/ tops.
Almost within walk Of the city are the bat
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
/ Mecca of the historian, every road associated
with events whose recall must kindle the i'm
agination, every spot fragrant with recollee-
tons which must elevate the mind.
As regards its commercial importance hich
mond's position is no less remarkable Its
motto sic itur ad astra is not unfounded. The
unexplored country, which when Colonei
Byrd, with prophetic soul. laid out this city
beside the rapids of the James, stretched be
vond the mountains through all unknown
wilderness. across trackless forests to the
French possf ssions then twenty times as dis