Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-27
MONDAY EVENING, JAN. 81, 1902.
ELooUENcE and psthos mingle with

ELoQUENCE and psthos mingle with
humor and merriment on each return
ing January when &. E. Lee Camp,
Its friends and comrades assemble
around the banquet board. That on
Monday last, the 20sh instant, was no
exception to this rule. Only lack OF
space prevented more extended publi-
cation 10 these columns of the many ex-
celleut addresses then made. Mayor
Simpson, always happy in his remarks
at social gatherings, WASH reminiscent
mood as he referred to events occurring
in our grAndfAther's days, and turning
to the visiting members OF Congress
who we're guests Of the camp he said:
"What Is true Of the patriotism OF Alexan-
drisns asindividuals is true Of the love which
this community has ever borne to our state
for be 1t remembered that when virginia
from the largeness Of her generosity gave
Alexandria TO the nation as part and parcel
of the seat of government the Israelites
nevsr went into Babylonish captivity with
more burning love toward Jerusalem than
did Alexandria In her time Of separation have
for this State, and separation Of more than
half century failed to diminish her love even
though she did rest under the egis Of the
nations capital, and when Virginia stretched
ont her arms Alexandria became child OF
the old Dominion, child which sbe will
ever remain.
When the vote on retrocesslon was
taken on September 1st and 2nd, 1916,
the first vote cast was by William
Veltch, then the mayor OF Alexandria,
and was for rstrocession. His example
was generally followed by his fellow
townsmen, as the Gszstte OF Septeni-
Der 3rd shows, by 734 votes for, and
only 116 against. Commenting on the
election In its issue OF that date the
Gazette said, ia part: at is with pride
and pleasure we announced ths, by q
vote OF the people of the town and
county of Alexandria. taken under an
act OF Congress, that portion OF the
District of Columbia originally coded to
the general government by the State OF
Virginia lying south OF the Potomac
river has been retroceded to the
parent State and will henceforth again
become 3 part of the Old Dominion.
We congratulate our fellow-cltizsns
upon the happy event which attaches
our town to the State OF Virginia, and
uuites its destinies with those OF that
Commonwealth. Useless for all prscti.
cal purposes, as a portion Of the Dis
trlct of Columbia, in returning to Vir-
ginia no injury Is Inflicted upon the
public, and not the slightest Injury will
ensue to the government. We become
citizens OF Virginia, as We firmly be-
lieve for the general good" Mayor
Simpsons declaration that to Virginia
our city Ia a child and will ever 30 re-
main, fuds a responsive echo In the
heart OF every man who places pride
and patriotism above love OF lucre.
Virginia was robbed Of one-third OF her
territory and will never consent to be
despoiled of oue more foot. Those,
and it hoped they are few, who for
commercial reasons imagine they
would be benefited il Alexandria was
called part OF the District OF Columbia
had Just as we'll rest their case for
Alexandria will remain part OF the
st ate OF Virginia when all such have
p lid the last debt Of nature and their
names are no longer heard 10 the
haun!s of man.