The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-21
Annual Meeting Of the Congress Of the
Society Of North America.
GOVERNOR O'PERRsLL'S ADDRESS.
lie t. Not Scotch-irsh, But "A Fun Hooded
Son Of Erins I-e-Mr. Robert Bon
ner's Koply-A Large and Bril-
liant Gathering of scholars.


New York city.
The sessions Of the congress are being
held I'm the spacious chapel of the Wash
incton and Lee University. and the OIL
GERS Of the society are the guests OF the
Univt rslty.
The entrances 10 the chapel are, drap-
ed with the American, Stotcn, anu iitNu
colors and the interior Of the Duiluink
S drapod and festO0ned with me c0lois
OF the society in many n'ddiilpl u.s'hns,
and in addition there IS lous ilS, -
the distinguished and ulustrlois Scol.h-
Irish. whose names are blended WIN the
early history Of the settlement OF tne
country displayed upon rolls or hohor 'l"l
BACK OF the rortrum in the mausoleum
through the parted tapestry dfaptlI' ls
so.n. TO beautiful effect. the recum pehl
figure Of General Robert EqWaIu Le''
upon the sarc trphagls by valentine.
when the congress was called 10 ORDER
the auditorium was filled with a disiln-
gnshed audience from dozens or .sl S.i -
and Canada. and many OF the Nislt9Ib 10
the commencement exercises OF the aSh-
ington and Lee University. who rem5lnsu
over 20 take part In the exercises Oh. ol ',,S ne
Scofch-frieh Congress, were m"nbtfS on
the audience and a large number OF the
Leading citizens OF the community. -
Judge William AcLanghlini, rector or ,ol ol
Washington and lee University, miro
duced the speakers. and extended on pc
hnlf of the University and the clulehs
OF the town. "a hearty welcome 20 lne lne
members Of the congress ana the FlS''oi9
10 that body.
GOV. o'TrBBAIL's ADDRrss.
Covernor Charles r. OFerran. Of Nir-
eiria an alumnus OF this University. on
behaif OF the ola Mother Commonweai
and the people Of Lexington, m an eio-
Quent speech. charasieristc or ne w lwl,li,
welcomed the body here. Ihe "o'v'''o'
MI President and gentlemen OF the
Scotch-1rish Congress OF America
have laid aside my official duties anu anu
fourncycd here to meet ana Nelcoih'
am sure I speak not with eNraVa-
eancc when / say that there is noI a
section within the broad limits Oh t"ls
republic where you would receive
warmer welcome than i'm this Old DO
mlni0n State-no section whtre you
would find more congenial spirits, n.3ic ni,,
historic landmarks mere ln,eI.91ns as
foofnrfufc nor "a population tlai mas
preserved in a greater degree tho hap-
us traits and characteristics CT lio
early Scotch-frish settlers ia America
than I'm this valley. .,. ....o,
This understaI d, is the seventh meet
ing of this Congress. At each OF the pre-
c.ling meetings | have Observed thal
handst me and Woll-mcrlted tributes were
paid 20 the Scotch-lrish race ana %
beautiful was the language. ana so tlo-
ouent the sentences. / could not. Ut
cared 10 venture, add a single word 10
them My effort, II / were 10 alltnpt
81. would fan dead upon ears Wnluh
have only heard the path0s OF masters,
and been delighted with the ails OF
rhetoric. Ny sentences VIII be uradorh-
cd but / shall speak the truth, and 1
trust you win find 1t ''as pleasant III
hOmcly language as In fine spcech.
HIS IRISH BLOOD.
Mr.. President and gentlemen, ] am not
one OF YOU. but as my name would IN
dicate one of the two blOods courses IN
my system. and / have never seen lhc
hour when riches would buy a drop OF
IL, nor the moment when ] was less
than proud of %. / have kinsmen ana
many of them, whose hearts receive ana
throw out the cOmmirgie blood OF the
Scotch and irish, but my Own comes
from the pure strain of south ireland.
Proud. however. as ] am OF my ancts-
try. hesitate not TO admit that the
Scotch stock, that settled IN North
ireland had certain good qpaiita
which the Irish did not possess IN Sucn
large measure. but AT the same time 1
insist that the Irish had traits OF great
merit which the Scotch old rot possess.
So in my opinion. the blending OF the
biOOds was mutually beneficial and pro-
duccd a race Of people taking them all
i'm all unsurpassed. by any OF which we
find a record ia history. To the sturdy,
slow -plOdding firm and tenacious char-
acter of the one were added the enthu-
siasm. warmth of soul. and quickness
of action. the restlessness under wrong
and the readiness 10 strike Tor the ilsht,
of the other. From this union sprung
the qualities which have shown so
IN 'chtly in commercial circles, In inc
field Cf husbandry. in the domain or
statcsmanship, in the forum OF the law,
in oratory. literature. arts, sciences, on
the plain of battle, I'm war. on lana ana
sea-in every calling, avenue. and spAere
wherever this people of blended bloods
have entered the contests for the prize or
superiority.
THEIR cHARACTERlsrIcs.
Amcng the prevailing characteriatcs
OF the Scotch-lrish race Is the sieduN
adherence 10 moral ideas ana the con
stant cultivation of religious sentiment.
II morality is rengion vim its fac, face
toward the WOrld' they nave at l'tS1
as a race. possessed it; If 'piety is rels-
have. as a race. embraced it 10 as s;sal
am extent as any people who i've unicI
the sun. You can look almost conn,
IDENTIFY for the altar Of Christianity ana
a well-hngered Bible IN every Sco'Vh-lIlSn
home while inhdelity has ever beeh
STRANGER to a Scotch-irish breast.
Civil and religious liberty has never
failed TO rally around It's stardafd, me
ScOtCh-1rish in every land. ana the Ntdh,
oppressed. and down-trcc den nave ever
fourd in them defenders.
believing that the "sure foundations or
n State are laid in knowledge, not IN
vocates Of education. sustaining ~ gem
crous measure. the common school, col
leee and university, never neglectlns
hovever the school of discipline at home.
Cf1s own system OF inCulcarug moral
ity and right principles "a the young.
Reganiing idlcueSS as sin ana labor
a duty. they have. by their energy al
Ways strivon 10 gather the faircst fruits
and receive the richest reward, and by
their Industry. secure healthiness OF body
vholer ess Of heart. clcarness or mind,
purity OF conscience ana tulness OF purse
But as / said just now, the Scotch-lrish
character has been described so perfect
IL bv 30 many tongues and pens l must
leave it where they have placed IL, on
fhe walls OF your memories.
FIRST ssTTLrRs II I'VE VALLEY.
Nr President and gentlemen, ] desire
tust here 10 refer briefly 10 the people
III YOUR race who settled H. this lovely
region bounded by these mountain ranges
Pr.or 10 l7l6 the soil OF this valley had
never been pressed by the foot OF civiliz-
"a nan. IL was then the home and hunt
ing ground OF the savage. During the
summer of that year the Knights Of the
Coljen Horseshoe" as they were after
Va, rds termed. under the leadership OF
Alexander Spotswood. scaled the summit
of the Blue Ridge from The East. and
discovered a section mere fertile ana
heautlful than any they had ever be-
held Exuitatlon thrilled their souls. ana
,nan6ing peak new and Unknown realm
snread out under their wondering vision
snd there they drank the health OF His
Majesty the British King and named the
.ast "AIount George" The news of the
SSssrov.ry OF this goodly heritage spread
~ dame In dry stul bic, extendiug
,hro,gIout eastern Virginia. and into