Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-16
WHAT VIRGINIA DID.
rr. Pase Discusses Hss Part IN Securing
American Independence.
SONS or THE REVOLUTION.
u,nc,r Anniversary Celebration the
Occasion of the splendid Address,
Interesting Review of the Movc-
ment in This state.

teriay evening" Mr.. Roswell Page had
been chosen az the orator for the occa-
zion. and delivered a brilliant address IN
sae Hall OF the House Of Delegates before
large. representative. aud enthusiastic
audience.
The lecture was remarkable for the cru
diuon II displayed. the amour, Of re-
search II evinced. and its general COM
prehensiveness. II was delivered in an
Impressive manner. and was frequently
interrupted with enthusiastic applause.
MIR Pages subject was The Virginia
Movement for American Independence
After referring 20 his appreciation OF
the position which he held De said that
effects are readily seen and causes are
often hard 90 discover and easy to lose
sight Of The scope OF the paper was
rather 90 discuss the Virginia movement
for independence than 20 account Tor H.
though Il was hopes that some hght
might be thrown upon the origin OF 'he
movement itself and the results accom-
pltshed thereby. lie referred 70 the oiu
courthouse IN Hanover wherc ia'rlch
Henry. Jr.. spoke against the parsons
ara reviewed the history OF the move
mont from the time Of Drake Raleigh.
and others. and alluded to the continued
attacks Of Indians and Frcnchmen upon
Virginia frontiers He recalled the pas
SAGE of the stamp act 10y Great Britain
land how tie tax was taken on every
thing but tea by reason OF the influence
AZ the agitation In America. The resoiu-
ton Of the House Of Burgesses TO make
the ist Of June. the day the Boston
mort bin was 70 so into operation.
nay OF prayer and preaching. was refer
red 10 by the speaker, and he told how
Dnnmore dissolved the Assembly and the
members met IN the ballroom OF the
Raleigh Tavern and agreed TO use any
Kind Of East India commodity. except
saiipefrc and spices, until the grievances
Of America were redressed.
AT VIRGINIA'S SUGGESTION.
Tho convention which sent Peyton
Randolph. Richard Henry Lee, Pat
rick Henry. George Washington, Richard
Bland, BENJAMIN Harrison. and Edmund
peudicion 10 the first Continental Con-
rress that met in Philadelphia, Sepiem-
Der 8. INA. assembled. as Professor john
stone said. Eat the suggestion OF NlI-
gnla, and al the call OF Massachusetts.
The instructions given The Virginia deie-
cation named contained the following
declaration of the Coony's position; 1t
cannot admit of n doubt nut thht
British subjects In America are entitled
10 the same rights and privileges as
their fellow subjects possess In treat
Britain: and. therefore the power as,
surned by the British Parliament TO piho
America by their statues IN all cas.S
whatsoever Is unconstitutional ana the
source Of these unhappy differences
Mr. PAGE spoke Of the heavy blow 10
Virginia by the passage Of the quebec
act. which was aimed at MASSACHUSETTS
and which extended the Canada line so
as 10 include what we know as !ne
rgorthwest territory lying north OF the
ohio ond east OF the Miss's7ippi III wa,
pouivi.n which territory was claimed
bv 1la. The speaker dwet at some
lenet ron the events Of no, IN which
ysar were held the three conventions the
FIRST Of which is memorable as haVins
besn held in ST. Johns church, kch-
nond, and for the speech OF Pa'rlcN
Henry I'm which he used the famous
words: There is no longer any room
for hone IL We mean to be free we
must nght. An appeal TO the God OF
Hosts As all that Is left us" and con-
cinded with. Give me liberty, or give
me death"
THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
Mr. PAGE smoke OF the July convention.
which met In Richmond, and organized
the Committee OF Safety. ana stated lhal
II was a noticeable fact that Edmuhu
PendletOn was the only member OF the
former committee who Was also mem
her Of this one The Committee OF
safety. said he was really the Executive
DEPARTMENT Of the government. Inc
military forces were raised and ready
TO march at a moments notice the last
Virginia convention OF this year was hein
in December. Of l1I5 and on the Fth OF
December was fought the battle or Great
Fridge. in which the Virginia troops won
a complete victory over Dunsmore.
The speaker now came 10 the events OF
i77g which year was ushered in by the
burning Of Norfolk by Dunsmore ana
the hosting Of the American Tag at
Washingtons headquarters. Even at
time. according 20 Mr.. Jefferson
views said the speaker, independence
and the establishment OF new form
of government were not the objects OF
the people at large" Mr.. Page read from
letters written by General Washington,
Thomas Nelson. and others In reference
10 the attitude OF the people towards
their English oppressors. ana reproducen
some extracts from the records OF the
Cumberland County Committee. secured
By the State from Peter @. Miller ESQ.
of Coochnnd county. which records. SAID
he when taken in connection with the
resolutions adopted In other counties OF
Virginia seemed 10 justify the belief that
tine people AT large did have the idea or
independence at the time OF the election
Of delegates 20 the Virginia convention
in l77s. He stated that his reading OF
history had convinced him that every
movement for reform or revolution comes
from the people themselves, and that
they are the great leaders who, recog-
nizlng the needs q the people. shape and
direct such movements 20 the best re-
suits
PLACED ~ CONTRAST.
ant
proceedings Of that committee. and made
a comparison OF its work with that Of
the Meckeuhurg county q. c. deciara-
fions OF May. l715. lie also dweit upon
the value OF the record as showing the
condition and feeling OF the county TO
the Colony. the Continental Congress,
and Great Britain.
one striking extract was from the reso-
luton drawn by Carter Henry Harrison.
adopted on February -. ll7e. which re-
commended 10 the inhabitants OF this
county Ia particular and OF the Colony In
general. that all distinction OF Colonies
and counties be laid aside. that there be
no other name known among them than
that OF Americans. and that every man
who VIII heartily join In this common
and evef-Elorious struggle for liberty
shall boz considered and treated as an
American horn"
showing the literature OF the day, the
clerk OF the committee reported that In
accordance with the resolution 10 secure
literature for the county he had en-
1,av0red % encourage the reprinung in
pamphlet or the speech Of Edmund
Burke. ESQ on THE American Ques-
tlon." aud some other political produc-
TONS which might prove entertaining and
useful 10 the county.
The speaker quoted the recent work OF
Professor I.skc. which asserts that the |
I'VE mrn who stand before ali others
IN making the government under which
We now live were George Washington,
James Madison. Alexander Hamilton,
Thomas jefferson. and John Marshall /
q show the influence OF the Nirginian
movement. he referred TO the fact that
Virginia had grouped four other figures
IN bronze with those named TO show
her appreciation OF their worth-Pairick
Henry. Andrew Lewis. George Mason.
sud Thomas Nelson. Jr. The roll OF the
convention Of i77o be described az worthy
- Battle Abbey. and cited the language
O. Edmund PenGeton In assuming the
PRESIDENCY or The convention. and re-
fefred 70 the petition from a number OF
counties asking that Oyerseers might be
required 10 serve IN tho militia.