The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-16
DIR. JONES ar RICH MOND COLLEGE,.
Interesting Address Before the Geograph-
zeal aud Historical Society.

zeal and Historical Society.
The sixth annual address before the
Richmond College Geographical ard His
torical Society was delivered last even
ing in the Thomas Memorial Hall to a
large and highly cultured audience. Rev.
j. William Jones, ID. D., was the orator
of the evening. and his subject was "Nlr-
ginias Contribution TO American HIS
tory"
Professor 5. c. Mitchell. president Of
the society, In presenting the speaker
said: virginia has devoted more time
to making history than to Writing IL. we
are fortunate in having with US one VINO
is a vital part OF the things OF when
he shan speak | cannot introduce Dr.
Jones to IA southern audience-hc IS wei
known already-but extend TO him on
behalf OF our society hearty welcome.
Il am glad" said Or. Jones' mat
in your researches and studies you are
connning yourself TO American history
for this great and wonderful country
of ours has enough in its glorious MS
tory to excite our interest ana engage
our attention. As Richmond College was
one OF Tie very nrst TO discover that we
should not cOnine our study TO ancient
and other modern languages. TO the neg
lect OF our mother toe ana TO estdD-
lish a school OF the English language,
so it would be appropriate that her
students should lead In abandoning the
idea that we should study the history
of all other countries to the neglect OF
our own, and that the college should lead
In establishing At the earliest possiDiS
day a chair of American history.
"Our schools and colleges nave in large
measure neglected the study Of southern
and Virginia history Virginia mas lot
over two centuries been engaged IN mar
ing history. and leaving others 10 write
II. In treating briefly on subject Which
would require volumes TO 90 II Justce'
/ mention first
NIRGINIA'S COLONIAL HISTORY.
This subject has been so sighted and
misrepresentcd by school books that even
our own children believe the solonis's
who came 10 Virginia We're band OF
thrlftiess Adventures. Some destructive
critics have tried 10 deprive us OF the
beautiful story Of POcahontas and cap
tain John Smith. but the historic proofs
of the genuineuess Of the story seem con-
elusive and We would not willingly drop
the legend ont Of our history the great
charter Of 1918 gave TO the settlers the
right Of eiecting their own law makers.
The House Of Burgesses. which convened
July % 1919. WAS the nrst legislative
body 10 meet I'm this country. and since
then Virginia has been the unilinching
advocate OF home rule
Speaking OF tho slave question. Pr
Jones said. In the original draft OF the
Declaration Of Independence. one OF the
counts I'm the indictment was that he
had forced slavery on the colonies
against their VIII This count was stricken
out iu the committee.
Alluding 10 the Revolution Or. Jones
said. III Is at least fair 20 say that
Nathaniel Bacon and his hbefty-loNing
Nirg.nians struck the keynote or the
American Revolution one hundred years
before that great event. The part
borne by Virginia in the French and
Indian wars was spoken of at some
length. DR.. Jones then discussed the
Revolutionary wdr.
III Virginia had remained true to the
mother country" he said. there would,
OF course. have opened mp before her a
career CT great material prosperity, nut
when did Virginia ever barter principe
for help. or liberty for material wealth.
or the interests of sister states Tor her
own REIMBURSEMENT. SO tar from SEEK
Ing her own ADVANTAGES Virginia. from
the beginning. made common cause WIN
the oppressed. and led the van IN lhe
battle for American freedom. AFTER
paving glowing tribute TO Patrick
| Henry and Thomas jefferson, Dr. Jones
continued. 1T was Virginia that nrst
passed the nOn-imporiatiou act ana III
1913 adopted the system or committees
of corresnoudonce Virginia led in the
calling OF the Continental Congress; anu
sent as her delegates fcNton Randolph
Richard Henry Lee George washington
Patrick Henry. Richard Bland behJd,,
min Harrison and Edmund Pendleton.
Ar eloquent tribute was then palu 10
the men contributed by Virginia 10
America. ~,
North Carolina instructed her dele
| gates to the CONGRESS- of l716 20 vote TOT
| a Declaration of Independence iI one
! should Ice proposed. but virginia ~
| structed her delegates TO move Dec'1-
ration of Independence. Dr. JontS
/ then spoke elOQuenty or the part NHsi''"
/ statesmen took I'm the Revolution
Referring 10 Virginia. part IN iorHiu5
| the Union Or Jones said. the CONVEX
| ton was called by her and SNAPPED 10y
| her men THE Virginia plan WAS adopted.
Virriria made large contributors on
territory TO her sons. The Eiit or the
, o,-f bv.est territory was conditioned,
| Il ON its being free territory
| $50 ON her remaining territory.
80, one section in each township heins
| voted TO school purposes.
But. after ALL" said the speaker IT.
! cinia's greatest contribution mas M
] her mon. She has given the tongue inc
] rcn. and the sword Of tne itcNoiuuoh i
/ Henry. Jefferson. and Washington, "nu
| tho Father OF the Constitution - Ai""l'
son. or her twenty-five Presidents "a,
| 20 the present time. seven Mri' 10
within the present bounds or NiIslilH
rut record the contribution maze n'
tween lSfi-isd5 as far greater thah 1l"'
/ OF amy other period. ...,,t ,,r,
| ~ Jones was listened TO with ilp'
! attention throughout his address An'
/ concluded with AN eloquent appeal .'
| tho Young men 10 study our hlSlo'
| and 80 master 10 that the world may So.
/ In future DAYS that Virginia ms sI."'
| men above ground as well as behea'h H.