Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1900-12-29

Russia whether these expensive estab-
ishments should be kept up. do you
doubt what the vote would bc7 Now,
is IL not better that we be overfaxed
ord the surplus be distributed oil over
the land than 90 have 10 built up and
piled up inside OF palaces
Continuing this international com
parison. l have TO say TO you that
we have n better climate than Is to
be found in any other nation. We
do not suffer from anything like the
Scotch mists or the English fogs or
the Russian ice blasts or tae typhus
Of southern Europe or the Asiatic
cholera Epi6emics in America are
exceptional. very exceptional. Plen-
~ OF wood and coal 20 make a roar
ing FIRE midwintcr. easy access 20 sea
beach or mountain top when the ar
cors Of summer ccme down. Michigan
wheat for the bread. Long Island corn
for the meal. Carolina rice for the
queen OF pvddings, Louisiana sugar
20 swesten our beverages, Georgia
cotton 20 keep rs warm. In our land
all products and all climates. Are
your nerves weak? Go north. Is
your throat delicatc2 Go south. Do
you feel crowded and want more
room? Go west. ! declare IL: This
81 the best country in all the world
20 live in. How do I know IL? I
have $4,000 new reasons for saving
81 SIX hundred and fifty thousand
people In one year came from the
other aide OF the Atlantic 70 live In
America. and they came because Il
II the very best country to live in.
While making this International
comparison let Us look forward 70 the
time which viii surely come when
ell nations will have rs great advan-
tsges as our own. AS surely as the
Bible Is true the whole earth is 70 be
gardenized and set free.
Many years ago in this city gazed
upon scene which for calamity and
grsn6eur one seldom sees cquaied. I
mean the burning OF the Smithsonian
institution. II was the pride OF our
country. In n art had gathered rarest
specimens from all lands and countries.
Il was one of those buildings which
seize you with enchsntrnent a. you en-
ter. and ell the rest OF your life holds
you with a charm. happened 20 see
the first glow OF the fires which or
That cold day looked out from the win
dows Of the costly pile. saw the angry
elements rear and rave. The shout Of
sfriRhtsd workrnen and the assault Of
FIRE engines only seemed 20 madden the
rage Of tho monsters that rose up 10
dsvour al that came within reach %
their chain. Up along the walls snd
through the doors were pushed hands
that saatched down ST they could
reach and hurled IL into the abyss Of
Game bensath. The windows OF the
tewsr would light up for a minute with
o wild glare and then darken. as
though fends with streaming locks Of
FIRE had come 20 gaze on in laughing
rEockery at all human attempts and
then sunk again into their native dark
ness. With crackle and roar and crash
the hoore tumbled. The roofs began
here and there 10 blossom in wreaths
and vines OF fame. Up and down the
pillars ran serpents Of fire. Out from
the windows great arms and fingers OF
fame were extended. as though de-
stroyed spirits were begging for dehv-
ersncs. The tower put on a coronet Of
flame and staggered and fell sparks
fying. the freuen escaping. the terror
accommodating. Books, maps, rare cor
respondence. autographs of kings.
costly diagrams burned TO cinder or
scattered for many a rood upon the
Wild wind. 20 De picked up by the ex-
cited multitude. Oh. IL seemed like
some great funeral pile IN which tie
wealth and glory Of our land had leaped
20 burn with It's consuming treasures
The heavens were blackened with
- = \ go.
shot the long red shafts Of calamity.
Destruction waved IRIS fiery banner
from the remaining towers. and in the
thunder OF falling beams and in the
roaring surge OF biilowing FIRE heard
the spirits Of ruin aud desolation and
woe clsppIng their hands and shout
ing: Aha ahal"
turned and looked upon the white
dome % yonder capitol, which rose
through the frosty air as imposing as
though all the white marble OF the
earth had come 70 resurrection and
stood before US. eminding one Of the
| great white throne OF Heaven. There It
stood, unmoved by the serrors which
| that day had been kindied before IT.
| No tremor IN its Majestic columns. no
| frown on its magnificent sculpture no
| flush of excitement in its veins OF mar
| bic. Column and capital and dome.
built 90 endure until the world itself
skaters IN convulsons Of the last
earthquake. Oh. what a contrast be-
tween the smoking ruin on the one
hand and that gorgeous dream Of ar
chitecture on the other Well. the day
speeds on when the grandest achieve
msnt OF mar will be consumed and the
world viii blaze. Down will go gal
K icries OF art and thrones OF royalty
4 - co., vox..o~ ,.-:7i