Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-11
n,,torv and Hollow Horn.


We admire the patience. persistence, ana
patriotism which the Norfolk Landmark
exhibits in its cndeayor 10 persuade or
bulldoze people Of that vicinity and the
world In general to speak Of the Confede-
rate ram as 1.-THE Virginia." and not as
"the Merrirnac," but alas! the Landmark
might as well give UP the job 1t Is fight
ing against ALTERATION II not against
fate.
The battle Of the Monitor and Merri-
mac Is more euphonious an expression
than the battle OF the Monitor and Vir-
ginla." Besides, the Virginia was built
upon the wreck OF the Merrimac; and the
Merrimac has a substratum OF claim
for recognition; besides. again, many
people are 80 preverse that they would
rather be wrong than right. On this point
witness our fruitless efforts. backed by
stacks Of scientists, to provo that there
Is no such COW disease as hollow horn"
Though we know that we are perfectly
right. and have proved It. some OF our
Oldest and most venerated subscribers are
OF the opinion that we have gone DAFT
and have drawn their gimlets on us.
Witness, also, our prolonged but IN
e0ectuai effort to extirpate the fallacy
that "the Old Stone House" In this city
was the headquarters OF General WASH
iDgton.
Many really good people have vigorously
frowned down this attempt TO set local
history right. When we have attempted
10 argue with them that the house could
not have been Washington's headquarters
for the simple reason that Washington
was not here at the head OF his army dur
ing the Revolution. they have answered
that they did not care blank as 10
that-that nearly every city mas
Washngton's headquarters, and why
shouldn't Richmond have? Moreover, when-
ever the editor Of this paper has been out
driving with strangers, and has stopped az
the old stone house he has had 10 81,
still and listen with burning ears anu
heating heart whilst the hackman pointed
out the place as "Washington's headquar-
ters"; showed the room where Washing
ton slept the post where Washington
tied his horse, etc, etc.
No. we tell the Landmark that IL Is
kicking against the pricks. It's iapor 10
in vain. Historically it is right, but "eu-
Enthusiastically II is all wrong. "Merrimac
and Monitor" come trippingly from the
tongue, while the average person hhus
It as difficult to say Virginia and Mohi-
tor. az does the average boy to say that
he deserves Il switching.
II IL quite n hopeless case. And yet we
bethink ourselves of a possible remedy
against this atrocious violation OK the
truth of history and contempt for the
landmarks advice, and that Is that the
Landmark shall call a convention OF all
the proof-readers in the United States
10 meet at one OF Norfolk's pleasure re-
sorts. and having gotten the whole gang
under the influence Of champagne punch
and Lynn Haven Bay oysters, make theh
swear that henceforth whenever they sec
"Nlerrimac" In type they will dart down
and delete It and substitute virginia
When the proof-readers unite TO sit
| down on word-right or wrohg-'he
| word is doomed to obsolescence, and we
have never known any man who was the
| REGIMENT Of Norfolk's hospitality not 70
consent 20 any request made OF him
| unless, indeed, he had passed the talking
stage.