The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-19
Mr. Henry's Address.

Fellow Citizens Of the United States:
The exercises Of to-day are a fitting
close Of the series Of centennial celebra-
tions OF the most important events I'm our
Revolutionary history celebrations which
have presented vividly TO the present
generation the courage Of our ancestors
I'm winning our liberties. and their
wisdom in forming a system Of
government which has proved
safeguard Of the invaluable possession
From the shrmish at Lexington
on the 18th April. 17JJ, when the
immodicabie vulnus was inflicted
which finally severed the lgament
binding the colonies 20 the moth
er country, TO the S0th April, 1889. when
Washington was inaugurated as the first
President under the Federal Constitution,
the most important events have been
made 20 pass in panorama before our
ewes. The attention OF the world has
been more closely attracted by US, and
American history has assumed It's proper
position In the forefront. where IL Is des-
tined TO remain as the great teacher OF
advanced civilization. And now II becomes
us 70 celebrate the hundreth anniversary
OF the laying Of the cornerstone or this
magnificent Capitol, the permanent nome
Of the government Of this great nation.
and thus TO complete the rOli-can OF the
events which established as among the
nations Of the earth.
In looking back upon these events how
insignificant they appeared at the time 10
the outside world Our battles were but
sldrmishes as compared with the engage
ments OF The vast armies which had red
dened the soil OF Europe and Asia in their
conflicts. our Declaration OF lndepend-
ence was but hrutum fulmen unless sus-
tained by force OF arms, which was be-
lieved 10 be beyond our power. our first
union was held by a rope or sand, and
even our Federal Constitution, dependent
as 1t was upon the popular Will. was an
experiment with a divided peopie-diviied
as to the wisdom OF the plan. and dlyidsd
as 70 the construction OF the instrument.
II was confidently predicted by the
enemies OF our free institutions that our
experiment would prove a miserable
failure, and that but a short distance
would Intervene between its cradle and
its grave.
Bat how different me scene or to-day!
what grand results havo followed from
our despised beginningsl For more than
a century we have demonstrated. as no
other people have ever done before. our
capacity for self-government. Our Fcde-
raj system has been tested In peace and
in war and by violent forces from with
ont and within. get every fbre has stood
the strain. and It's perfect adaptation 10
our needs under all circumstances has
been demonstrated. Yea. more; already
the hope OF our fathers as TO the effect
of our free institutions upon the human
race has been wonderfully realized. That
hone was expressed ~ James wilson In
the Pennsylvania Convention which adopt
ed tbe Constitution. when he said. by
adopting this system we shall probably
lay a foundation for erecting temples OF
liberty In every part of the earth. IL mas
been thought by many that on the success
OF the struggle America has made for
freedom viii depend the exeftions OF the
brave and enlightened OF other nations.
The advantages resulting from TINS sys-
tenn viii not be confined 10 tne ohiteu
States. but 'lill draw from Europe many
verify characters VII, pant for the en-
joyment OF freedom. IL VIII induce
princes. In order 10 preserve their sub
jeets, TO restore TO them portion OF that