The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-31
THURSDAY. MAY 81, 1900
THE INFLUENCE OF Jamestown

Editor of The Times:
sfr.-With reference to the suggestion
offered by Prof. Mitchell, that a htons
exposition be held in 1901 TO colnineinoi q -
the three hundredth anniversary OF Inc
i Founding of jamestown, / beg TO express
t1ny hearty approval thereof " iiie IL -
Fsrue that several attempts at cotoniZalioh
mad been made under Raleigh about twen-
by years previously, Yet they were oisas-
iSrous and futile. Jamestown represents
iA.7,a first permanent settlement by England
:1pon the soil of the new world, ana IN an
tehat makes for the ultimate destiny Oh me
human race. it was q fact pregnant Win
profound possibilities that have been slo-
;Eiously realized. il might be consldefsu
30 nave been even more important man
t4he discovery by Columbus OF the CONT
ir,ent itself-for this latter was a mere
Esphysical fact, the other teened Win SPIT
stual significance. What would nave peen
abe condition of North America to-day mao
tSt Augustine instead OF jamestown ana
plymouth Rock sent OUT the Gofnlhant
isnfi1,ences of its civilization. and the Latln
Fnstead of the Anglo-SaNon been its ruling
race? It is difficult to contemplate out
..i;.he petty monarchies and he unstable re-
rspublies of Central and south America
can give an approximate answer
This landing that was on May 10 told
etyle3 1901 made on the banks of the then
Powhatan River, had been decided as
much by the storms of heaven as pE the
CQuDSeiS OF men, ana II WIS piNot VI
the wheel on which Destiny moulded the
CLAW of the unborn republic of the world
1T is an event worthy of comnemcration
no less noble and imposing than was given
by the Columbia Exposition seven years
ago No one, familiar With the history
of our country, Will attempt te minimize
the material O, spiritual contributions
which Virginia gave unto it, Or 10 de-
tract from the lofty position 10 which her
gifted and patriotic sons have exalted
mer.
This will AFFORD an opportunity for Vir-
ginians 10 show got only how great has
been the role that their mother State has
>rlayed on the stage of the past. but no
less so how splendidy and heroically she
is keeping abreast OF the Very vanguard
in modern culture and achievement. 1t
is not too early 10 begin to agitate now.
Seven years are none too many TO pre-
pare for so gigantic an enterprise as THIS
should fittingly be. The State Legislature
must be appealed 10, the national govern
1ent must be called upon TO do its share.
Virginia must proclaim TO the world her
plan and her rights. to pre-empt the year
and the thought. Buffalo has big eX-
position in 1891, Missourirs centennial is
represented at ST. Louis in 1902, and Ohio s
centennial al Toledo in 1903 If Virginia
announces this celebration for 1907 in time,
il will stop others from coming in be-
tween Massachusetts will doubtless do
something in 1920 In conmemoration of the
similar anniversary OF Plymouth ROCK
landing. Ours is an opportunity for us
that should not be missed. The place. the
manner and the scope of the commemora-
zion can be decided upon. The present
duty is 10 determine 10 have il, 10 gel
together, and make ii.
EDWARD n. CALlSCH-
The above communication from DIR. Cal
isch emphasizes a great truth that is
worthy a great celebration. The Amerl-
can idea was conceived by the Anglo
Saxon, That idea was wrought on this
continent and it wrought a revolution al
home and abroad. The American idea o!
personal liberty, political liberty and relig-
ious liberty, of a government for the PEG.
pie rather than q people for the govern
men;. was born ST Jamestown. II was
something new 10 the world. It was 6
great revelation and a benefcent revela.
ton, and the world took hold Of it From
ii the American Republic sprung but tn.
idea could not be confined within The
limits of our territory. Il crossed II.
ocean and took hold OF the English PEG
pie. cst,sing complete change OF polio.
2 on the part OF Great Britain towards he.
colonists. Ii is to that idea and TO Thu
policy which grew out OF 1t that Grea
Britain owes her strength to-day. II sh
had continued 10 treat her other colonist
as she had attempted to treat her colo
nists IN America, the BRUSH Empire hal
long since dissolved. But the making US
Of the lesson which she learned in IN
Revolutionary War and by applying tn
American principle OF local self-govern
nent TO the government of her colonies
her whole colonial system took on new life
and frop that day 10 this British subject
in Canada. Australia, and everywhere ar
as loyal as British subjects at home. TIL
has beer abundantis proven during tn
progress Of the South African War
il is meet and right. therefore. that "
,ecominsly celebrate the foundation of III
JAMESTOWN colony. and there is no NOR
aprspsiala wag. than Ia holding at II