The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-07
HISTORIC RICHMOND.
"reminiscences of the City and
the WestmoreIand Club.
From THE TlMrs' Correspondent.


RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 5.-As many OF
THE TINES readers cling with good
allegiance TO the memories of "Old
Virginia" anil her historic traditions,
send you some notes from her ancient
Capital .''Richmond OH tho James" as
she stands full of memories, the Mecca
of the historian, cyory spot fragrant
with rocolloction5 which must elevate
the mind. Ono osnnot walk the streets
Or take Il turn about tho onvir ms with
out stunt ling over recollections. Stand
ing this morning in front Of old st.
Johns church and tho trees and graves
on Church Hill, tried to imagine Rich
mond rs it appeared years ago during
the struggle between tho colonies and
the crown. The surrounding region is
dotted thick with relics from the
colonial era, and every foot of ground
is moro. directly associated with the
birth throe8 and early settlement of the
nation than historic Plymouth Rock
IIenrioo, jam 'st0wn and Newport
News were ilourishing colonies VII N
Now York was IL Dutch trading post and
Boston was forest.
From tho scttleme NJ OF tho continent
r
most momentous events Of tho nation
have clustered around Richmond, and
1T is to-day the most historical spot OF
tho most historical State of the Union
Hcro took shape those State papers, the
Virginia bill of rights and The first
written constitution tho world ever SAW.
Hero George Washington lived and
moved and his headquarters still stand.
Here Jolf .rson, Mladison, Monroe, liar
rison, presidents and tho fathers Of pre-
sidents, spent their time and pondercd
their problems OF sla,e. Here John
Marshall, the great chief justice. lived.
His house still stands and will ever
remain IN objt CT of vcneration 50 long
as honor and lofty patriotism excite the
admiration Of mankind l.o.c Aaron
Burr, after being indicted by grand
e jury OF which John Randolph was fore
man, WAS tried by John Marshall, with
William Writ, Luther Martin and
George Hay Of counsel Here lived Ed
gar A. Poe, Americas greatest literary
genius. The house, q noble old pile fit
for poets homo, still survives, over
looking the reaches of the winding
James for miles. Hero, when civil war
with half drawn sword glowed on tho
land; when commemorative stood face
to face with FURNISHED armor; here was
Tolerate States of Amcricr.
Almost within walk 4 the city are
the battlc fields of two Of the bloodiest
campaigns OF modern warfare. Virginia
was the heart Of the Confederate army,
and when the small remnants Of Lees
army surrendered at Appomattux Vir-
glnla was PROSTATE. Adversely tests the
virtues of people as we'll as Of an in
dividunl and with all the circumstances
1T may be safely affirmed that there is
not an instance i'll history presenting
such striking illustration of what may
be 'o1mpli-hed by human energy,
undcn favorable conditions, as regards
soil, climate, mineral resources and
transportation facilities. Again old
Virginia, the mother of states and states
mon, stands upright in the vigor OF re-
newed Strength, in tho full power OF Il
sovereign state. and tho pride of a hale
and prosperous people. The social life
of Richmond is delightful and the re-
fncment and hospitality of tho ante
bellum regime is wei II maintaitd d.
/ Tho nucleus OF most OF the social as
well as much Of the business life OF the
city is to b. found in the Westmorciand
Club-onc Of the oldest and most attract
i've institutions of the kind in the
South. Many OF its members are
chcvalioys If race which nourishcd
along The banks OF the James, and which
has had ~ parallel in this land-a race
of English gentry who added to traits
inherited and transmitted from their
British ancestors Il love of freedom and
a passion fo- tho rights of the individual
born of tho liberty of the forest. Tho
gentlemen Of the WestmOrt land Club
extend that cordial and hospitIble well
come To any duly accredited stranger
which makes hi, first and strongest i'm
preston of the city SO pleasant. Here
he may meet the dignited General
Maury, shake hands with Judge Walter
Staples, listen to the polished ano cdote
4 and sparkling repartoe of Judge Luns-
ford Lewis, and enjoy the ready wit of
DR.. Hunter McGuire, the life of NAM
4 an elegant crowd.
The doctor was lief surgeon q
4 StonewaD Jacksons corps when only IS
years old and is trying to find time from
a his lnccssant practice to prepare for
SpublicAtion some memoirs of the illus
3trious hero. lie has one of the largest
land most elegantly equipped IL
4 tariums in this country tSt. Luke's
IIone) and tho name OF Hunter NJ ;tiuilc
his b,en synoi yn OF pu lie peneii
acenoo since the days when Stonewall
1Jackson relied on his genius and ability
Sas tower Of strength in the efficiency
'8of his immortal corps.
"a
81 II Miss Gnllatin MS Kosaiind.
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