The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-02-10
CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.
Ole OF the Founders cnd Heroes Of
History His Claims to Remem-
brance

brance.
The year 1907 completes the third cen
tury since the settlement at jamestown
Va, by Captain John Smith aud lis as
sociates, aud its commemoration " i'll be
historically and appropriately oh
served, not only by Nirginians and the
descendants of Colonial settlers, hut by
all who Inherit the blessings ofcivil iber-
ty this pioneer patriot preserved aud per-
petuated. Toe Association for the Pres
ervation OF Virginia Antiquities. with
iaudable appreciation of the claim of
Captain John Smith TO the grateful re-
membrance ofour p-ople. desire To bonor
his me emory by fitting memorial in the
form of "A bronze statue e be placed at
jamestown on the occasion OF the Ter
centenary celebration. The idea is sup-
Iestive and patriotic and should be wide
~ accepted and promptly endorsed that
its tulhiment may be promptly achieved
a. the funds must be secured in time for
the statue to be made before the celebra-
tion To such adeserving cause the peo-
pie OF the whole country should gladly
contribute. aud do honor TO the man
whose name Is nobiy linked with the be-
ginning OF the Republic; and i; il happily
suggested al-o. that If all the Smiths in
the country give only "A small sum each
the statue would soon be an accomplish
Ell fact. let the army Of Smiths volun.
/ teer In the good work, and all the kins-
/ folk OF the Smiths of whatever name or
degree swell tue roli-ca'l of contributors.
and the bronze eiiisy of their immortal
ancestor will stand for all time on the
/ soii Of Virginia. a monument in pe risbable
as his fame.
monument is not only tribute to
the dead, but n lesson to the living. 1t
teSs why II was reared, whom il com
memorates, what virtues belonged TO
him, what hOnors crowned him. and
what gratitude the people owe to the ii
lent sleeper whose liie's work was well
done. No one will deny that our graft
tude Is due the brave leader. the saga
cious counselor, the animating spirit
which rescued this fair land from savage
tOes and made it the Inheritance of Auglo-
Saxon civilization. Aud now is the time
TO show il by erecting IA monument at
jamestown 20 it's founder and pre-erver,
Captain John Smith.
Inc following appeal is commended to
all who revere the past and it's heroic
memories. l.
At IA meeting Of the Association for the
Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
held in Richmond. Va, january. 1901
&c was resolved that the Association
should take steps TO erect at jamestown.
Va, a statue To Capt. John Smith
The year 1907 will mark the compile
tion OF the third century since Captain
smith and his associates made the first
settlement at Jamestown, from which
has grown the United States of America.
That year will be fitting one to com
memorate the services rendered by the
man who, above all his fellows, distin-
guished himself in guiding the infant col
ony through the terrible trials and per
Ills Of its first years and saved it from
the fate which oblterated the settlement
on Roanoke Island
! The name of Capt. John Smith is in
dissolubly linked with the history not
only OF Jamestown and OF Virginia, but
of that of the whole United States, and
he Is by common consent acknowledged
u have been the preserver of this early
settlement 1t is needless to recite his
achievements or the marvellous good
which resulted from his Judgment.
courage and presence of mind " in the
crises through which the first settlers in
Virginia had to pass, but all who know
the history of the State believe that he
deserves lasting memorial
The Association thinks this memorial
should be in the form OF bronze statue
OF heroic size, and thatit should be placed
conspicuously on the site where the ser
vices were chiefly rendered.
The aid of all who revere the heroism
OF Captain Smith and who now enjoy
the benefits Of the foundation OF English
civilization and liberty on this conti-
nent is solicited in this undertaking.
Contributions may be sent to
Mrs. Charles Washington Coleman,
Chairman OF Committee for John Smith
Memorial, Williamsburg. Va.