Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-19
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 10, 1893,


Considering the part which Virginia had
g. o.. achievement OF the independence
o. the colonies and IN the formation CT
thauEltfm and IL graceful thing in the
the American Union. an ths interest which
Wasnlnrton took in the selection Of the
vito Cor thc Federal city" II was a
cpmmIite. of Arrangements OF yesterdays
Centennial celebration to make a citizen
Of ni. state the orator Of the day. Furth-
or wisdom was shown In choosing for this
post 81 rrandson OF Patrick Henry. who
was ,hr voice as Washington was the
sword az the Revolution.
So 20 came about that on yesterday the
,lm,s ~ Washington and Henry were
i.rIu linked together. as I'm the dear old
da,s before sectional cstrangement had
D.. .~in 10 ina root. and "A SOuthcrner was
listened ~ 10y great audience made up
90 people from all sections OF the Union
whilst he told our country's story In
lri.l The presence of the President OF
The United states and many other per-
u.us - distinction. representing our own
ans foreign governments, mndc the occa-
sion august ana memorable.
Tho Grafton Of Mr.. William Writ Henry
was stately production, suited 10 such
a IicriG,J ceremonial occasion. and treat
81 tie theme with scholarly nicely in
Netting forth the theories upon which our
government was founded, and which,
when Independence was secured. led 70 the
hGIflr. Of the Capitol Wen he describ-
"a The occasion as "a fitting close OF the
series ~ centennial celebrations OF the
most important events I'm our revolution
NY history
II WIS Washington who chose the site
pf oar national capital, but others gave
Il hts namc-a name which needed no such
s.uerubrancer g. perpetuate 1t, yet was
gtly giycut the Federal city. Washing
con is infinitely more the creation Of the
Rather OF Ills Country" than 81. Peters
burg Is ~ Peter the Great. because In
liberal sense Washington was the creator
a. our nation and the founder OF its capi-
tai u4 wen. In these latter days, too.
great state has arisen in the Northwest
bearing hts name, and nearly every State
an thc Union has a Washington county or
town and nearly every city has a Wash
Inrton avenue or Washington street or
Washington park. So others besides the
Seaders OF history, In all the years to
come, must learn his name.
Mr.. jefferson who whilst representing
MS country in Paris selected the model
for our Virginia Capitol later whilst
United Suites Secretary of state, selected
Tho design for the Capitol at Washington.
The cornerstone Of our Capitol was laid
g. l7SJ; that Of the Capitol OF the United
ftatcs IN l7q}-cirht years later. our build
iug has escaped destruction 10y hre-even
>ne Great fire of Evacuation Day-whil ..
the national Capitol fell prey 10
flames lit by British hands during the
war IN 1874 The temporary building erect
q e. meet the Immediate requirements or
congress after the visit Of the British was
nat "Old Capitol with which consider
uLlc number Of Confederates had an en-
Yorccd acquaintance. The present capitol
WINS in process Of erection. with various
Intervals. from 1917 10 1861.
The programme for the celebration yes
terday was not carried out in all OF its
"details with as much success as usually
attends such undertakings in Washing
TON. and the Committee OF Arrangements
have e. apologize for several bitches
scvcrt heless the purpose OF the celebra-
ton has been served In drawing public
attention TO great historical truths Mr.
Cleveland spoke briefly and we'll as did
Nice President Stevenson and Speaker
I'risp II there was anything lacking In
MI IIenry's effort, It was ability to make
himself heard by all In an audience so
large.