The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-12
THE TIMEs-RICHMoND. VA. THURSDAY. NOVEMBER r. 1885,

ton might seem to require. These resoiu-
tions of Virginia led to the meeting OF
the Continental Congress OF La. 10 which
she sent as the delegates Peyton Kan
dolph. Richard Henry Lee. Patrick Henry.
Richard Bland. Benjamin Harrison. Ed
mund Pendeton and George Washington
While | would not adopt the language oil
Mr. Joseph Read. OF Pennsylvania. VINO
pronounced the Bostonians mere milk
sons as compared with the Nirginians. II
Is no disparagement OF others. but the
simple truth as shown by contemporary
eous history TO say that the Virginia
delegates exercised "A controlling influence
over the deliberations and proceedings OF
tho Continental Congress. In March, E'J,
the Virginia Convention resolved TO pre-
mare the colony for the impending con-
nict. and early in May following. Patrick
Henry at the head of volunteers from
Hanover and other counties, marched
against Gov Dunmore and compelled him
TO pay for the gunpowdcr he had taken
from the magazine at this place The
virginia Convention OF May. lao declared
the independence OF virginia, ana IN
structed her delegates in the General
Congress TO move that body to declare
the united colonies free and independent
States. and to adopt measures for form
federation of the States. Richard Henry
Lee. the Cicero OF the Revolution. made
the motion on the 9Th day OF June. l"b,
and the immortal declaration was adopted
on the 9TH day of July, 1I6. The virginia
Convention then proceeded to frame Il
Bill of Rights. and a written constitution
for the State.
VIRGINIA BILL OF RIGHTS.
1t is no exaggeration to say that the
Virginia Bill OF Rights. drawn by George
Mason. a Virginia farmer. Is the most
complete summary of the rights or man
and the principles of free government
that has ever been given TO mankind. one
of it's articles declares as follows "That
no man or set of men Is entitled to eN-
elusive or separate emouments or privil-
eyes from the Commonwealth, but in con-
sideration Of public services. which. not
being descendble. neither ought the office
of magistrate. legislator or Judge to be
hereditary"
As he has well said: Here Is
volume of wit and wisdom for the study
of the nations. embodied I'm a single sem
tence. and expressed in the plainest IAN
guage. II deluge OF despotism should
sweep over the world and destroy thDse
institutions under which freedom = yet
protected. sweeping into oblivion very
vestige Of their existence among men.
could this single sentence OF George
Mason be preserved. it would be sufficient
to rekinde the flame of liberty and re-
vive the race OF freemen.'
The Virginia Constitution OF l1i6. the
first written constitution for a free. in
dependent Commonwealth. was the work
OF the same great architect and MASTER
builder II Patrick Henry was the great
est orator Of the Revolutionary period. II
may he Justly claimed that George Mason.
of Gunston. was its greatest writer.
Virginia has not only the leader IN the
political movements OF the Revolution.
but she furnished TO the Continental
Army its great commander and Upon
her soil al Yorktown the final victory was
won. within a few miles of this. her an
clent capital. where the fires of the Re-
volution were first kndled. Virginia acted
a most conspicuous part I'm calling the
convention. which assembled at Phila-
delphia in 1873. and formed the Federal
Constitution. Her delegates, among whom
were George Washington. James Madison.
George Mason and Edmund Randolph.
were recognized leaders in the delibera-
tons of the convention which resulted
i'm the adoption of the most remarkable
political instrument ever devised by the
her convention that met in 17SS to ratify
the Federal Constitution. Mr. Madison
moved the adoption in Congress OF the
first ten amendments that have been so
potential in limiting the exercise of
federal power and restraining its en-
croachments upon the rights and liberties
Of the people.
VIRGINGA'S NOBLE PART.
II Is no vain-gorous boast to say that
the American Union was in great part
the creation OF Virginia n was her
Henry whose hcaven-born elOQuence fired
the hearts of the people and melted them
TO revolution by the proclamation of the
eternal truth that resistance 10 tyrants
is obedience to God II was her Jefferson
who penned that immortal document
which declares that whenever government
becomes destructive OF the ends for which
it was created it is the right Of the peo-
pie TO alter or abolish IT. and TO institute
a new government. laying its founda.i ions
upon such principles. and organizing its
powers in such form as to them STALL
seem most likely TO effect their safety
ana happiness. II was her Mason. whose
philosophical disquistions upon the ina
llennblc rights of man and the propcr
functions OF government have excited tho
profound admiration OF political thinkers
and kept alive the love OF liberty ~ the
hearts Of the people. II was her Madison
who was confcsscdly the father OF tie
American Constitution. that wonderful
monument OF wisdom and patriotism. II
was her Marshall who presided over the
supreme Court from 1901 to 1875 blazing
the way for his Successors I'm the inter
probation Of the Constitution. and furn-
lshing the best model the world has over
known OF the able. unright incorrup,ible
Judge II was her Washington who stood
by the helm of the ship of State when
II was nrst launched upon its perilous
voyage and who by the general acc,; i'm
or All mankind has been universally re-
cognized as the greatest of good men
and the best OF great men" Her sons
directed the affairs OF the Republic as rs
chief Magistrates during thirty-two out
of the first thirty-slx years of its exist
ence. She has been the proud mother
not only II statesmen but Of States. and
through her Influence. under the blessings