Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-05
THE ADDRESS.
Mr.. Hunters Birth, Education, and
Early ENVIRONMENTS.

Gentlemen.--Some six years ago. a.
the town OF Fredericksburg. l had
the honor TO preside over meet
ing composed Of influential citizens
OF this Commonwealth. when the
initial steps were taken TO orga-
nize an association for the purpose OF
removing tho remains Of the Hon. r. NJ.
r. Hunter from their place of burial ia
Essex county. Va. 10 the capital Of the
State. at Richmond; and Of erecting a
monument al the tcmb; and also of ar
ranging such other testimonials OF re-
spect for his eminent public character
and services as might be deemed appro-
pirate II Is due TO the Hon. J. Il.
sener. Of Fredericksburg to state here
that he was, 30 far as i know, the FIRST
person to suggest such action; and he
has. with others. steadily cherished ana .
promoted the contamination OF This
praiseworthy purpose. The Chair, b. /
authority OF the meeting, appointed
committee whose duty 1t was to obtain
from the General Assembly OF Virginia
q special charter Of Incorporation Tor
themselves and other citizens TO be as
ISOLATED with them 10 carry out the de-
sign Of the meeting. That committee
consisted Of the following gentemeni
Hon. I. II. B. Wright, of Essex; st.
George X. Ff,shugh, Judge j. b. SeneT
Rufus .. Merchant, and Hon. j. II. Kelly,
of Fredericksburg. William Il. Drinkard,
Joseph Bryan. William Ryan, Rev. Dr.
John d. Newton, General Archer Ander-
son. Colonel Frank C. Rufln. and Judge ,
Waller r. Staples. OF Richmond; ex- !
Governor F1tzhugh Lee, OF Glasgow; I
Judge William j. Robertson, OF Char
lottesville; General Eppa Hunton. of War {
renton; Major Holmes Conrad, OF Win ,
chester; Hon. John Goode, of Norfolk,
and Hon. Taylor Berry, OF Amherst. :
Most OF these gentlemen weTo personal !
friends of the deceased statesman but !
there was no purpose of limiting tho ]
committee, except TO represen tative Vir-
ginans
This committee met at Richmond on c
December 2, 1891, and were aided by the C
presence and counsel OF number Of dis &
unguished gentlemen, including members I
Of the General Assembly Of Virginia, S
General Joseph r.. Anderson was elect
ed chairman, and committee was ap- c
pointed to draft q charter OF inoorpora- c
ton. The organization was afterwards ]
perfected by the selection OF a Board OF n
Directors, with Or. G. Watson James as p
and Colonel William II. Palmer' Ct
rs treasurer OF the association. CT
This body was incorporated by the (,
General Assembly by act approved Feb ul
'uary 2, 1852. and all the powers then
ieemed necessary TO promote the object q
we're conferred upon the corporation. "
need not dwell upon the impoYerish- e
snent OF many worthy citizens Of Var e.
Tinia, and tho other causes which have n
mpeded and postponed the execution or e.
he objects for which this association was V,
ormed. The question for US to-day Is, u
IAN these obstacles DO removed and cur Fl
esign contaminated? 1t viii not fan. q,
I must not fall. We meet here to-day II
n the very county in which Robert N, M
]. Hunter was born, and where HIS home y,
vas; in the county that no loved: among a,
he very people. or their children, whom y,
e loved and respected, and whose unfaii- =,
rs confidence was 10 him always an In 4,
piration and a Just source OF pride; 60 w
urther this tribute TO tho most distin- =.
uished son OF Essex. There can be no 80
onor paid 10 his memory that does not -.
lso reflect honor upon this old county ~
n the Rappahannock and upon the Com
of Virginia.
1 would not be justified in obtruding
pom your patience a full, and complete In
ccount OF Mr.. Hunters life and public
ervices. That duty devolves upon his
lographer, and tho future historian who 49,.
ball faithfully narrate the history OF the -
,untry from the year 1885, down to the OF
me when the conquest of the Southern ~
tates relegated so many OF their eminent tn
pms 90 poverty, and private station. But of
lrely may be permitted ~ brief phrase Iii
glance at the distinguished, innuen- di,
al, and useful part borne by this great. tn
II modest. Virginian during the criti- da
II era in which his life was cast. II was a
ten time that tried mems souls, and ST.
lly the pure gold survived the crucible. in,
EARLY ENVIRONMENTS. bis
sdr. Hunter was born In this little 10
unity on the 2lst April, 1909. ItSs We
country neishborhood, without a city ar
large town, sparsely settled in his ,io
ne and ours / am aware, and proba- MS
y you are. that there Is modern school
thought which assumes that for an ~
tellectual growth man ahould be born Sol
"a reared Ia city or a closely settled reg
hothouse. so 10 speak. IN uo
hich his brain and energies are to be so'
imulated to the highest degree. But his ~. ~.
~ gives little warrant for such an as ~,
mption. Tho great men OF this ~, ~