Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-13

culture or European grapes anu wines.
In i6GS John Lederer, n "Son Of the Alps
as he called himself, came to James,
town. and Governor Berkeley sent him
three times during the following years
10 explore the Alleghanios. His book
and n map which he had drawn. were
printed IN London I'm 1872. and give the
very earliest accounts Of the countries
and tribes on tho southern slope OF the
Appalachian system.
THE FIRST WHITE SCHOOL.
In J721 Governor spotswood founded
near the fails Of the Rappahannock, the
German colony Germanna, and another
colony OF vine-tillers on the banks Of the
Rapidan. He himself married Ger
man lady. Colonel Byrd. in his PRO
gress Of the Mines" gives such glow
ing description OF the Governors domes-
tic life. with his beloved wife and his
many children. that it sounds like an
idyl. Soon after all the central counties
OF virginia were settled with many
Germans Their first pastor was George
Henkel. from Saxony, and his successor
John Caspar Stoever, who preachea III
Germanna and Madison, raised money III
Germany for the erection Of parsonage
n public library, and school-pulidllis'
His school was the "very first school for
white children" I'm the Old Dominion. II
was established about sixty years AFTER
Governor Berkeley, I'm 1911, had written
TO the English Government the memora-
bic words
Il thank God there are no free schools
nor printing. and hope we shall not have
these for 100 years; for learning has
brought disobedience and hercsy and sects
into the world and printing has d.
vulgcd them. and libels against the best
government. God keep MS from both
During the late war between the states
the Germans I'm Virginia were not FOUND
wanting. TWO OF the generals (Kemper and
Armistoad) We're Of German descent. In
the State Library building the sword OF
Major Heros Won Borcke reminds ono or
the daring general-adiutant and faithful
friend OF General !. +. b. Stuart. And
If 10 were allowed 10 speak Of those who
will participate i'm Tuesdays celebration,
the names Of many men might be mem
toned who fought bravely for the cause
Of the Ccnfedoracy. ass fOr instance that
popular German citizen. Sergeant c. r.
L0chr. or Tuesdays extraordinarily,
and Captain H. Schuricht.
II IS. therefore. natural that the Ger
man-Amerlcans endcavor TO keep fresh
IN their and their children's memories
those traditions OF the past, and to culu-
vate in their midst the characteristic
features which enable them to keep up
their efficiency and usefulness
Long before that time. previous 10 1880
German and French farmers were sent
10 Virginia in order 10 introduce the
culture Of European grapes and wines.
In 1868 John Lederer. n "son Of the
Alps" as he called himself came 10
jamestown. They cherished the sacred
examples left to them by their fathers
and derive from them those higher in
spirations, which make them able NJ
ways 70 be foremost among the worthy
and dislnterestei supporters OF our free
Institutions Whatever differences may
exist between them. they are linked to-
gether. and united not only by virtue Of
the German hood that flows through
their veins. but also by the influence OF
the true German spirit OF loyalty TO God,
and to His holy and eternal Laws Of
honesty and integrity, morality and
purity in their daily life. and OF sincere
enthusiasm for everything that is noble,
reasonable, and right. Their undying
love Of liberty, their true spirit OF indie
pcndence, their devotion to their adopted
country receive new impulses, and are
kind ed 10 higher enthusiasm by such
yearly celebrations as that Of the Ger
man-Day.