Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-02-13
VIRGINIA ANTIQUITIES.

lies, was the SuD]ect OF Inc aQdreSSe
delivered last night at Peabody Hal
before The Mt. Vernon branch of tn
Association for the Preservation @
Virginia Antiquities" Despite the Sc
verify of the weather. and the fact tina
this is the first annual meeting of thi
society in Alexandra, the attendant,
testified that loving interest in all tina
concerns the past, as well as the presen
and future, of 'our common mother
lives and CLOVIS iu the breasts of thu
good people of Alexandria.
Capt. Kosciusco Kemper presided
aud, to use his own expression, "set the
ball in motion" by giving brief his
tory of the association which was form
ed 1SSSin Williamsburg with the object
as declared in lis title, of preserving
the tombs. historic buildings and other
relics of mighty and glorious past
that without such efforts would soon
be forgotten in the busy age in which
we live.
The association now holds a charter
from the State and has its centre in Rich
mond. Like most of our good things it
owes its origin 10 women, and by wom-
en- its affairs are generally administer.
ed. In Alexandria a prominently
wise selection has been made in the
choice of Miss Margaret V. Smith, whose
book on 1.-The Governors of Virginia, %
an elegantly written and valuable con-
tribution to the historical literature of
the State. entities her to an honorable
place among Virginia authors and war
rants her in appropriating the words of
the old Roman poet, Horace: "Exegi
monumentum pre perennius."
Capt. Kemper then introduced as the
first speaker Mr.. Lewis H. Machen, of
the Episcopal High School. Mr.. Ma
chen when at the University of Vir-
ginia won the orators medal and his
effort last night was in every way
worthy of one who came thus highly
recommended, and he was listened to
by the distinguished audience with in
terest and attention.
Mr. Machen made striking commentary
on the treatment of the history of our own
State in our schools and colleges. Familiar
from childhood with the localities Of Greece
and Rome, he had until recently scarcely
known where jamestown stood. To the per-
severence Of teachers and professors he was
indebted for an intimate acquaintance with
the incidents of Spartan life, while the strug-
giles of the colonies to establish themselves on
the soil Of the new world were but dim and
legendary stories. The speaker suggested
that our children in the nursery should be
taught the proves of Virginia's sons instead
of the impossible stories of COLLINS and 81.
ants This society had already accomplished
gratifying results, and Mr.. Machen rapidly
gave resume OF the work from the purchase
of the old magazine at Jamestown down to
the present time, when it was engaged i'll the
restoration Uf Jamestown, which, when &C.
complished would be perennial object lesson
for the present and succeeding generations
when westward the star of empire took its
way" In closing Mr.. Machen drew vivid
picture of Virginia thirty years ago and Vir.
ginia to-day-Virginia tranpled by the hoct
of war horses and stained with the best blood
of her citizens, and Virginia in peace and
prosperity, feeling the wounds of war on
every hill as in every heart"
Hon. John Goode was next introduced, and
that gentleman was perfectly at home with
the subject of his discourse. "a hieroglyphic
inscription" he said, chad been deciphered
and found to read, ! speak to you who shall
come million years after my DEATH To
preserve the memories of the past has ever
been in the eyes of men of al ages sacred
duty. 1t is bound up with the love of coun.
try-aye il is the foundation OF all true patriot
ism, No State" the speaker said, twas more
rich in these memorials than Virginia. The
early history of the State was the history OF
the whole country, and no State had done
more to mould the history of the republic
than Virginia Mr Goodc then gave rapid
glance at the annals of the Old Dominion
from 1873 down to the glorious part that
Virginia played in the war between the
States, which was listened to with rapt atten-
ton, as the eloquent speaker passed from
scene to scene through which Virginia Ind
passed. jamestown. the nucleus Of the State
and country, he affirmed, should be preserved
with pious care for many reasons. Mr..
Goode then arrayed wildly before the minds
OF his audience that noble galaxy of Virgin
ans who have played so conspicuous parts in
the rountry's history. He subsequently,
dwclt upon the States action during the civil
war from the passage of the ordinance OF So
cession down to the final climax at Appomat-
tox.
AT the close of Judge Goodies address the
chairman invited those present who were not
already connected with the association to join
it in the noble work that had been so well de-
scribed in the addresses of the evening.