Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-20
THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS.
He Delves Into virginia's Past and Pro-
phesies Glorious Future.


phesies Glorious Future.
Governor Mckinney responded TO the
next sentiment, Virginis--she holds a. o
feeds with bounteous hand her living
sons she looks with calm hope TO better
future. IF honor calls, whereer she
points the way, the sons OF honor follow
and obey."- Churchill.
The speaker began by saying that he had
listened with pleasure to Major Stringfel-
lows oration.
TO furnish a man TO meet the emergency.
When in the Union she was looked upon
as O leech, and when in the Confederacy
she was regarded as the foremost State OF
the South.
Virginia was the first State where free
, religion obtained. She was for inde-
pence when Others were uncertain. The
climatic conditions conduced to the
growth of brave men; IL was not warm
enough TO make effeminate or cold enough ,
to dwarf them. In her were embraced
forests, fields, rivers, mountains, and val
leys. all going to form cou9try well
worth fighting for.
VIRGINIA PLUCK.
The indomitable pluck of Virginians was
we'll known, the Governor said. He re-
membered hearing about one Of Pickett's
men who went West shortly after the war,
TO Kansas City. He saw an advertisements
for help in store. When he answered he
found several hundred applicants ahead OF
him. They were calling out. II was under
| Grant, II was under Hancock" he
passed in front of the desk, and, holding
up hand from which three fingers were
gone, said: II lost those fighting under
Lee in defence of the capital of my native
State. Virginia"
although the employer told him that he
was no southern sympathizer. but because
he felt that a man who asserted himself
under such circumstances could be trusted.
HE MADE THE SACRIFICE.
At the time Virginia seeded Mrs, Lee
was an invalid and q female friend was
staying with her. Late at night Mrs. Lee
sent for her and told her she was afraid
the Colonel was worried, as Do had been
walking the floor of the room above all
night. Just at that moment the Colonel
knocked at the door, walked in. and took
seat on the side Of the bed.
He said he was greatly troubled and
wanted advice. Virginia has seeded to.
day. The United States educated me and
have been offered the command Of her
army. But Virginia is my home and the
birthplace Of my fathers" The old lady
responded, "The path of duty Is the path
of sacrifice" At that Colonel Lee bright
ened up and said II tender my sword to
Virginia tomorrow"
This was indeed q sacrifice. The United
States was great Government equipped
for war, and he refused the command OF
her armies TO come 10 Virginia, who was
without navy, without a treasury. and
almost without hope, but which he loved,
and was willing TO die for.
SCARS OF WAR.
The Governor said he had lately seen Q
map of Virginia with red flags on It to de-
The flags were everywhere. They were
the scars of war, but they did not dis
figure her. Yirginians and other southern
people have no need TO be ashamed OF tho
part they took In the war. Tho
northern people came here. bought Libby
Prison, and carried IL TO Chicago to
make money out Of il. Why not dig
up some field where southern chivalry had
been victorious and carry that away, too.
North, but virginian does not say he
comes from the South, but from Old Vir-
pinia, thank God" and even the negroes
are proud Of being Virginians and boast OF
it, even down 20 the exact county. Every
man is raised free, and therefore they all
belong TO the first families"
A Virginian never goes away from home
Win Tie luttuttou VI Stoyiukf u0 4Wolo
hopes To make money and come back to
the old Commonwealth.
POSSIBILITIES OF THE yurusx.
A friend Of bis, remarked the speaker,
had told him few days ago that he would
so like 10 live 6fty years more, not for the
mere pleasure Of living, but to see the
wonderful progress that Virginia II bound
to mako in that time. The possibilities
cannot be imagined. No man can tell what
Virginia will DO fifty years from now. Nor
folk, Newport News, Richmond, Roanoke.
Glasgow. Buena Vista, Salem, Buchanan,
Big-Stone Gap, must become inconceiys-
bly, great.
Before fifty years have elapsed Virginia,
now the fourteenth State in the Union IN
point of wealth and population, will walk
queen among her sisters.
But, concluded the Governor no matter
what the future has in store. no greater
man would ever spring from her loins than
tho one whom they were then gathered 10
honor.