The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-17

| Hi thrilled forth that watchworn OF the
revolution. that hirthright 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 high
and the first written Constitution the world
ever saw.
Here George Washington lived and moved,
and his headquarters still stands. Here
Jefers1n, the Lees, Nelson, Ben HARRISON,
the Tylers. Madison, Monroe, Pres dents, and
fathers of Presidents spent their lime, and
Wondered their problems of state-and many
others Of the giants lived and loved and
s,,ove Here Tarleton, the Raider swept
everything before him, til young Lafayette
GRO sed his Tath.
Here John Marshall, tneg r tChiefJustice'
lived. His house yet stands, an object OF
generation 10 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, to its highest
memory and turn it into second rate tene-
ments.
Here was brought Aaron Bur after being
indicted by a grand jury Of which John
Randolph was foreman, to be tined before
Judge Marshall, with Vim. Writ, Luther
Martin. John Wick ham and John Hay OF
counsel.
Here the great Daleys Of old times framed
the edicts which made and unmade fresl-
dents and Cabinets.
Here General Winfield Scott. the Com
mander. Chief Of two wars lived and
married.
Here LAFAYETTE came a. a young soldier
with sword drawn for liberty and heart fired
with dreams Of the Cid and herean 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 be had done so much
TO save.
Here lived Edgar A Poe, Americas
greatest literary Genius. The house which
was his home has so far survived, noble
old pile. fit for poets home ltoyerlooks
the reaches of the james for miles and Is the
envy Of every Spectator.
Here when Civil War with half drawn
sword glowered on the land, when common
wealths stood face 10 face ready TO spnng,
took place the momentous, bit unsuccess-
ful effort of Virgini', the Mother of States
and statesmen. TO avert the calamity, and
here at last she adopted the ordinance OF
secess. on, and flung herself across the path
Of war
Here was established 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 +. Lees. Judah 7. BenJa-
minis. James A Siddon's and other Southern
leaders houses are objects of interest to the
Northern visitor if of indiffsnce 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 Confederate army, after
the army was dispatched against II, General
after General flung himself desperately
upon it, Hundreds of thousands of men and
hundreds of millions of money w,re lost IN
the endeavor 70 capture the Confederate Cap
ital, defended as it was by gallant army
and devoted people. For two years 1t 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
tie fields II tg0Of the hOodiest campaigns
OF modern warfare. and within easy ride o.
those Of two more.
Thus stands Richmond fun OF memories. the
Mecca Of ~ historian. every road associated
with events whose recall must kindie the i'm
agination. every spot fragrant with recollec-
tons which must elevate the mind.
As regards IT, commercial importance Rich |
mond's. position is no less remarkable It's
motto sic itur al astra is not unfounded The |
UNEMPLOYED country, which when Colonel
Byrd. with prophetic soul, laid ont this city
beside the rapids If the James. stretched be
yond the mountains through an unknown
wilderness. across trackiess forests 20 the
French possf siOns. then twenty times as dis
tant as France itself is 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 10 the queenly city
he founded. Mines richer than GOlconda's
have been discovered. Plains which are the
granaries Of the world have been found and
cultivated. The cattle upon a thousand hills
are there in countless myriids. For
ests 20 make the Dsyies Of the
world grow there and with il all 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 70 day than Colonel Byrd's
plantation was when he laid on the city.
The foremost navigator and geogapher OF
this century was Commodore Maury. Until
he threw o his lot with his own people OF Viz
einia be was a man whom the United States de
lighted 10 honor. He discovered the Jaws %
,bp vim is and the tides, he laid down charts Of