Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-11-18
"GOO BLESS OLD VIRGINIA.
Ex-Gov. MacCorkle's Brilliant
Speech in Pittsburg

Speech in Pittsburg
Pitts6Dg Pal Dispatch. Nov. &h.
Ex-Governor w. A. MacCorkle
of West Virginia, is in Pittsbure
visiting at the home of j. NJ
Schoonmaker, Vice-President and
General Manager of the Pittsbure
q Lake Erie railroad. Friday
evening he was honored at a din.
ner at the home of Mr.. Schoon.
maker, at which the local officers
Of the company were present.
Mr. MacCorkle during the even
ing rendered the following toast,
which was greeted by much ep-
plause from the large crowd seated
about the board:
Gentlemen My eyes first saw
the light in that fair land where
the valley kisses the mountains in
to gentleness and kindness, the
great Valley of Virginia. In that
sweet land since the country was
young have lived the sturdy peo-
pie who are bone of my bone and
blood Of my blood. Exalted by
the spirit of swelling valley and
lofty mountain here has dwelt
patriotism unsurpassed, which
held the State before the nation as
first in its love.
When in the great strife be-
tween us the cotton land would
give no nurture from its shrunken
bosom; when the coast was be-
leaguered with the lines of fire,
the furnishing souls in tattered
gray turned for life to the fields
Of the Valley, the granary of the
South. In the exigencies of war,
when there was given the dread
order to scar that land with fire
and sword, the vanguard of the
hosts in blue was led by our host,
who but lately sat at my humble
board, an honored guest amidst
those who wore the gray.
Needing not tonight the usual
amenities Of social life /, the
guest, do the first obeisance to the
host, for through the terrors of
that campaign, when my country
was naked in her desolation, his
sword was never soiled with cruel
ty or dishonor, and despite the
orders and policy of war his heart
was resolutely turned from destruc-
ton; therefore La son Of South
ern soldier, hasten this evening to
bend my head in obeisance to the
soldier who, amid the horrors of
internecine war, always bowed his
head to the plea for mercy.
In my native towh of Lexington,
in the heart of the Valley, arises
the proud battlements Of an old
school, the Virginia Military Insti-
tute, the West Point Of the South.
1t was glorifed by the immortal
teachings of Matthew Fontaine
Maury, and its corridors long
echoed to the thunderous tread Of
Stonewall Jackson. From its
broad portals stalked the drill
masters of the Southern army. To
him at whose board we sit tonight
was given the command to crumble
It's walls with torch and flames.
He refused to execute the order
and was placed under arrest, be-
cause his arm was not created for
he torch nor was his heart attuned
10 the roar of the flame.
And here tonight this splendid
assembly, approaching my feel
ngs az can only the lofty Ameri-
IAN citizen, will allow me to do
honor alone to the man who spared
ny native land in the day of her
,ravail. AS a son of old Virginia,
God bless her, whose bosom bears
he scars and wounds of cruel war,
,ut whose soul is pure and
holy, / propose her health. AS a
ION of the great Valley where every
mountain top is shrine memoried,
holy and sweet, and where on every
ale rests our spectered dead
wrapped in their cerements of gray,
rise to honor him.
As a son of Lexington and Rock
ridge, where peacefully sleep |
Inder the shade of the blue noun
aims the mighty spirits of Stone
vail Jackson and Robert K. Lee, i
make my obeisance to the man
rho never broke a Southern heart,
or added the hopeless wandering
( the flames to the windowhood |
nd orphanage of the battle.
l pledge the happiness and long
ife Of the country gentlemen, the
indy man, the gallant soldier, and
he splendid American citizen-our
Ost.
Aroar;c Mined In XirOiuia