The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-23

suia and the Eastern Shore, each possess
ing its IeculiaritieS and distinctive at
fractions, all having place in my adnll-
ration. But, as in all things pertaining
TO the affections comparisons exist, SO IN
this respect with me there is prefer
ence. and whilst loving all sections and
parts OF the Commonwealth, my heart
is in the foothills of Virginia, where
every breeze that blows over its pine
and cedar capped hills comes laden with
perfume and the spice of life.
But. sir, mere physical beauties, though
pleasing TO the senses, do not constitute
a State-that invisible and ever charging
web of human affairs, in whose structure
every mesh is some striking and proml-
merit event in the history of the body
polite, the elimination of any one OF
which viii not only mar the symmetry
and beauty OF the whole, but end in its
destruction.
A state, as a political entity, is COM
posed Of its present Inhabitants; but
THE State is not only what it is to-day
but what it hss been, embcdying all the
sufferings. tn. trials, the conflicts, the
victories of the past: inheriting the mem
DRY of the great and good men who have
inhabited it and the good and virtuous
deeds by them performed: Illuminated
martyrdom of it's patriots, the virtue CT
its women, the wisdom of its sages and
PHILOSOPHERS and the political triu1nphs
OF its statesmen.
THE MOTHER OF STATES.
Virginia has been called "The Mother
OF States and of Statesmen Justly may
she be given the foremost place in the
family of the colonies and in the union
of the states.
Her settlers We're an adventurous ana
hardy band actuated by the free, indie
pendent and robust spirit which has de-
scenGed to and ever characterized their
progeny Love of right, justice and per
sonal independence coupled with marked
gentleness of department and considera-=
ton for others has always distinguished
them as peculiar and distinct people.
1t was a virginian who l1ndled the fire
of patriotism in the hearts of the Colo
nists; it was Virginian who command
ed and led the armies of the Revolution
to victory and to freedom; il was a Nlr-
ginian who framed: the Declaration OF
independence announcing the birth OF
what has grown to be the mightiest OF
all civilized nations; it was Nirginian
who framed the Declaration of Rights
drawing his inspiration from nature; 1t
was 4 Virginian who enjoyed the dis
tinctioa of being che greatest jurist OF
the century: in fact, nearly every station
and post of honor in the Federal Gov
eminent, civil and military, has been
occupied by Nirginians who adorned the
positions.
In glancing back upon the history OF
this country and its early struggles we
will remember that our success in the
French and Indian War was the fact that
decided the English instead of the French
was to be the ruling race III the new
world. 1t was the imperial domain ac-
CURED in this war that Virginia pre-
scented to the General Government
This great area of land was known as
.-'rhe Northwest Territory On Tuesday,
"a January, 1881, in the House of Dele
gates OF Virginia resolution was passed,
afterwards agreed to by the Senate,
which opens as follows:
THE General Assembly of Virginia
being We'll satisfied that the happiness,
strength and safety of the United States
depend, under providence. upon the ratl-
1ication of the articles for a Federal
union between the United States, here
United States, for the benefit of the said
United States, all right. title and CLAIM
that the said Commonwealth hath TO the
lands northwest of the river Ohio, upon
the following conditions, to-wit: That
the territory so ceded shall be laid out
and formed into States containing Il suit
able extent of territory. and shall not
be less than one hundred nor more than
one hundred and fifty miles square, or
as near thereto as circumstances Will
admit That the srtates so formed shall
be distinct republican States, and be
admitted members of the Federal Union,
having the same rights of sovereignty,
freedom and independence as the other
States
Thus five great States, Ohio. Illinois.
Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and that
part of Minnesota lying east Of the Mis-
sissippi River We're formed from THE
Northwest Territory''-the princely gilt
of the State of Virginia to the Union.
GREATEST CAPTAIN OF THE AGE.
1t was a Virginian who gave birth TO
Stonewall Jackson, the mightiest captain
of the &ge and as we have sat in session
through the long summer days every
zephyr waited through this easement
seemed to bear upon its gentle wave q
message from the spirit of that stern
patriot whose image is perpetuated In
bronze within our view, whose memory
survives and will ever live i'll the hearts
of his countrymen-a message that tells
us peace has its duties and victories as
well as war-and enjoining upon us as
worthy sons of heroic sires to treasure
and preserve our civilization and our
race,
Virginia, too, is the mother of that
great chieftain, who, commanding the
Army OF Northern Virginia, shared the
fortunes of that magnificent array of
Southern chivalry and merited and won