Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-28
TIE JAMESTOWN CELEBRATION.
The Pleasure Given by the Dis
patch's Account of a..

| To the Editor Of the Dispatch.
II was with feelings Of pleasure AMI
pride that l read, In recent issue o.
your paper, sn account OF the celotrs-
] ton OF May 18th At Jamestown A.
virginIan. I am glad TO know that The
day II hereafter % be known as Found
ers' Day. and that II IS the purpose 10
| fttingly celebrate Ia the future the
birthday OF the English Colonies 10
America. I am glad 10 note further.
| that steps have already been taken IA
prevent the inroads OF the noble James
| upon the island. and 10 preserve the
| old church and the historic site. Few
dates IN American history are more i'm
portant. or should be more sacrediy Oh
served than this. ! am sure that even
| Virginans have failed 10 realize this In
| the past. and the years have come and
! gone with but scanty commemorate
I OF the day which planted English ciyiiza.
ton on American soil, from which has
grown the mightiest product among tle
nations OF the earth. New England
| though she may not celebrate the exact
date on which the Pilgrims landed on
her stern and rock-bound coast never
theless, has deseryedly recognized ard
duly observed the event, and her sons
and daughters are taught 20 revere the
men and women who braved the dangers
and endured tine hardships OF that awful
winter. and laid the foundation OF New
England's greatness.
TO Virginia alone: Il Is a day Of I'M
portancs TO the whole Union, 10 the en-
tire English-speaking race; and YET
though IL Is the birthday OF Engusn
America, at the same time II Is the Gay
on which Virginia was born, ana u be-
hooves her people TO take the lead &C.
perpetuate the commemoration or TINS
anniversary; TO bring II 70 the attentioE
OF the nation. and TO see that never again
shall springtime pass In old virginia
without an observance OF her natal-cay.
AS A MORAL AGENCY.
The celebration OF an historical event
has a value az a moral agency aud al
educational factor, and for this reason,
aside from any purely sentimental
grounds. Is 10 be advocated Teach tfe
yo,,ng 10 revere the past and IL make.
them better prepared 20 live In the pres
emf and 20 act In the future. The in-
nuence Of these celebrations r., believe.
too Httie appreciated. In this age, char
acterized By the mad rush for material
poseessions and consequent intensNYirs
OF the desire for selfish aggrandlzemcnl
even 10 the point Of injury % those WHO
stand IN the way of a prosperous career
II will be beneficial TO old and youn-
alike 20 turn aside for time 70 rerC.t
| on the past, TO remember that others nave
| endured hardships. 20 prepare what We
| now enjoy. II will make men love thtr
brothers more. forget SELF % some exc
! tent, and stimulate them 10 noble dcelt
We hear a great deal IN these days ~
| the lack OF patriotism. ~ the selfish AIMS
| OF men who make oar laws rud aininl'-
| ter our government. and While mueh ni
the criticism may be unjust. y-t / am
sure there are few who believe that 0.r
public men, or even our private citll.
are as thoroughly imbued With the nI-
triotlc spirit as they might b.. such ctl--
bratioas will increase state pride 900
thus bring about n revival OF PATRIOTISM.
and. perhaps. many Of our statesmenl
like Washington. will be willing 10 serve
their country, instead Of simply desiring
TO feed upon n. / wish We could e
revival Of interest IN the words and deeds
OF Washington. Just AT prefent tl.it
seems TO De renewed int1rc.t in Nap'-
leon. and his life - attracting more ore
tentlon than FOR many years pafi. IT, t
our country. we couM torn mans
thoughts 10 the Father Of dis C0un-
try" could get them 90 properly age
preciate his virtues and services, Do,
whole nation would he intellectually peh"
flied
wAsHINGTONs BIRTHDAY.
This depression may serve 20 call a
tention 20 the fact that IN some sect
we are beginning 20 disregard Frbrn '
Twenty-Second. and IN our soHh
ern country especially 10 al
most ignore the Fourth Of ln
This ought not 10 be. on the contrary
we should continue TO celebrate thef
days. and should add % the catalogue oi
dates in American history 90 DE cello
brated each year. Therefore. In CLOSING
repeat that IT Is q source Of pleasure o.
read OF Founders Day, and oncr irf
tribute of praise 10 those who have taken
the matter IN hand, and express the h1ra
that Virsinians everywhere Will hold in
grateful remembrance the men who fet'
tied jamestown Colony and will con-
rnemOrate the day on whicn its foga4a.
tions were laid. And I hope 1; Is not tc3
early 10 suggest that. IN 1901, this countfF
celebrate the event In a manner Wh.c1
shall make the expositions ~ Paris ari
Chicago sink into insignincauce.
j. w. BRIsTER.
Nashville Tenn, May ., 1855.