Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-10-29

y
States for the benefit OF the said United
States, all right, title and claim thai
the said Commonwealth hath TO the
lands northwest Of the river Ohio, up
on the following conditions, to wit
That the territory so ceded shall be
laid out and formed into States contain.
| ing q suitable extent OF territory, and
shall not be less than one hundred nor
more than one hundred and liity miles
square, or as near thereto as circum-
stances will admit. That the States 80
formed shall be distinct, republ Can
States, and be admitted members OF the
federal uniou, having the same rights
OF sovereignty, freedom and independ-
ence as the other StAtes."
Thus, FIVE great great States, Ohio
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin
and that part OF Minnesota esst OF the
Mississippi river were formed from
"the Northwest Territory"-ihe prince
ly giit of the State OF Virginia to the
Union.
1t was Virginia who gave birth to
Stonewall Jackson, the mightiest cap
tain of the age, and as we have sat In
session through the long, summer days,
every zephyr waited through this case
ment seemed to bear upon It's gentle
wave q message from the spirit of that
stern patriot whose image Ia perpetu-
aled in bronze within our view, whose
memory survives and will ever live in
the hearts OF his couutrymep, a mes-
sage that tells us peace has It's duties
ard victories 90 we'll ss war, and en-
joining upon US as wo thy sons of he
roic sires to treasure and preserve our
civilization and our race.
Virginia, too, is the mother of that
great cbiefiain who, commanding the
army OF Northern Virgi ia, shared the
fortunes of that magnl ficent array OF
Southern chivalry and merited and
won the admiration Of the world.
Splendid In war, gifted by nature with
all the attractions and virtues which
sdorn great man, he "Wore the white
flower OF blsmeless life" and enjoyed
alike the confidence, esteem and sf1eo-
ton OF friend and foe.
To Virginia belongs Gettysburg, be-
fore whose embattled heights stood her
warrior Sons. where many bled and
many died, but where all fought for
Virgins; and as far 10 the vistss OF
time as honor, courage, devotion and
love OF country shall be the badge oil
true manhood will the names OF Vir-
gizis and Gettysburg be linked 10 i'm.
perishable union.
And II TO Virginia belongs the history
Of that innumerable band OF her SOUS
who, 10 the Civu War offered their
lives a williDg sacrifice upon the altar
of their country, no lees to her belong
those who fought With them, bat who
survived the conflict aud lived 10 illus.
trste the greatness OF our people In a
period OF humiliation and of woe.
When We call the roll OF VirRinis
statesmen, orators, warriors, philoso.
pliers, patriots, heroes and marIys, and
recount their exploits, the sacrifices
made and suferiOgs endured for the
sood OF mankind. OF the lofty spirit ol
valor, of generosity, OF genlleu ess, oi
progress, of independence, freedom aud
love OF country, OF virtue and loyalty
WHICH Hbb ldAcu tuClb lOi ObCt ~
not willing to obliterate from the State
the recollection Of q single one Of their
great and imperishsble acts. or to mar
Dlemish or change the evidences OF
muniments left by them 10 mark and
siqualz, the temper OF the times ir
which they lived. Iostesj, we should
preserve them as q priceless heritage IC
De transmitted 10 pOs.erity With 9
solemn Injunction to so regard aud trea
them.
And now, Mr.. President, we have
our part TO play 10 forming "Tn'
State" some In q more prominent aDC
others in less CONSPICUOUS way, but al
charged with the duty of fidelity to th'
sacred cause.
What constitutes State?
Not high.rsised battlement or lsboie
mound,
Thick wall or mos'e1 gate;
Not cities proud With spiroI and turet
crowned,
Not bays with brosd-armed ports,
No-men, high-minded men
Men who their duties know,
| But know their rights, and knowing dar
msintsip.
These constitute State;
And sovereign law. that States collects
will,
Der thrones and globes cate
Sits empress crownins good, repressir
III.
Mr.. President, the Bill of Rights comes {
rs hosry, with age and conse;raisi b
memories Of the past.