The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-12-23
AN INTERESTING LETTER.
A Former Resident of Orange Coun.
~ Writes of Other Days.

New York, Dec. 18th, 1902.
TO The Free Lance:
IL was our pleasure at one time to read
regularly your good paper, when we
were poor country boy toiling on a
farm IN Orange county, and while at
William aud Mary College and also at
the University of Virginia. our dear
mother would often send us COPIES OF
your paper, which we ALWAYS read
with pleasure. For the past five years
my life has been one of hustle in New
York. Ii was part of our duties To read
TO the late blind merchant prince. Charlie
Is. Rouss, once poor boy in Virginia.
but who died well remembered by the
South, which he loved. This life proves
TO the young man that il is the strenu-
Gus age. The young man who comes to
New York has "a hard battle TO FIGHT. for
It is all influence, While my friend. Mr..
Rouss, lived he never turned down any
one from the South, but the Southerner
here now Is cold, and the last person to
ask favor of. As rule most all the
Southerners join Tammany. which in
our humble judgment ought to rule New
York, for under it times are better
Down South the best element are Dem
ocrats; it is the reverse in the North.
We were glad TO zee that the white
man rules in Virginia and we lament the
stand Jno. 5. Wise has taken. The
white must rule, and all lean say to any
one who would have il different is "Sic
Semper Tyrar mis-"
New York has a full quota OF Virginians
here. Among those from Orange and
vicinity are MIR. LinwoOd Harris and
brother, ". +. Harris. A. b. of William
and Mary. MIR. Mack Harris has turned
his talent to the theatrical profession,
and is now touring the West. Messrs
Morton, Warren and Marshall. from
orange, are all young men of talent and
promise, who like the Roman general.
came. saw and conquered.
Dr. ). III. Graves. of Norf ok. paid Us n
pleasant visit recently on his business
trip. purchasing medical supplies for his
hospital, newly established We are al
ways glad TO extend the good hand of
welcome TO all our Southern friends.
During our long pilgrimage here we
have had two pleasant visits to Virginia.
one with our late friend. Mr. Rouss. TO
winchester, and one to our dear old home
last summer. Many recOllections of the
past were recalled.
We hope now Virginia will be reiuve-
mated, and two parties will spring no of
equal strength, and politics, which have
had much to do with the educational
back wardness, must he banished. Fa
Vortsm and personal influence have
multiplied and increased from time to
time, until IL has become too marked in
the conduct OF the system OF public
schools.
In closing, we will say that il would
give us great pleasure TO meet the repre-
sentative OF your paper at Orange court,
az we used to in the days gone by, and
TO read the Orange court and lett. rs.
The memory OF old times clings to us.
as IL did to my departed millionaire
friend. who delighted TO talk OF Chancel.
louisville, the Wilderness and 1861 to
1860. In closing, we wish your paper
much success and a merry Nmas TO the
staff
+. 5. We had almost failed 20 mention
Mr.. Hnrkamp and his horses, who xere
at the Horse Show and attracted so
much attention. We can only allude TO
ham as the Sir Thomas Upton of Vir-
ginia-''a thorough gentleman.