The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-27
MEMORIAL
UNVEILED
A Memorable Day in The Ills
tory Of the Old Colonial
Capital Of Virginia.
DR.. T. N. PAGES ADDRESS
Virginia Author Makes Prcsen-
tation Of Gift Of Washington
Branch, A. p. V. A.
DR.. T. N. PAGES ADDRESS
ORION a staff correrpondento

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WILLIAMSBURG, VA, May 2s.-'The
ancient capital OF tho old mother Com
,nonwealth will record this rs a. rcd day
in It's calendar, Seldom has tho historic
old city sheltered so many Virginia visit
ors. or SO many connected with tho
glorics OF her early history as were gath.
cred here to-day to attend the ceremonies,
incident to the unwilling OF memorial
tablet, commemorative the Virginia con-
vcntion Of 117C, and enrolling In lasting
bronze the names Of the authors OF our
liberties.
The city (for such It Is BY virtue o.
Its royal charter was thronsed VIII
guests and entertained them with hos
rtality worthy Of old Vrgnia's prestlge'
The historic buildings and sites, OF tho
colonial capital we're all thrown open TO
visitors, and Old Bruton Church. tho
Spotswood Powder Barn. the Eastern
state Hospital, the College Of William
and Mary. the old colonial homes. the
sites OF the Raleigh and Red Lion Tav-
ems and all the other hnllowed spots
were visited by the thronss from Rich-
mond, Washington, Norfolk md Hamp-
ton.
The scene OF the unwilling was the
site OF the first state Capitol, the old
hall Of the House of Burgess. at the foot
Of Duke of Gloucester street. There,
within the foundation walls of the old
House of Burgesses, was the memorial
stone, n grant monolith With plates OF
bronze, bearing the names fNthe carly
statesmen. who contributed so conspicu-
ously to the building OF the worlds
greatest republic.
Under An Elrn's Shade.
The warm sunshine beat down upon
the historic spot with midsummer fervor
and forced tho large assembage to take
shelter beneath tho foliage of great
elm near by The speakers stand had
been erected in the full glare OF the sun,
but Or. Thomas Nelson Page asked that
1t be removed TO the shade OF the shell
tering tree, and this was done In n few
moments There with speakers and hear
ers. gathered in primitive fashion In Ma
t,re's great temple, the exercises attend
in.r the unwilling were had. The breezes
rIppled the leaves overhead intermit-
tently. and ut times swayed the sturdy
branches. The great discomfort was due
to the fact that the greater portion OF
the audience had to stand for three
hours during the reading OF the adj
dresses. Nevertheless. all enjoyed the
day, and, despite the length of DR.. Pages
brilliant historical paper, the audience
eavo him close attention during the two
hours and ten minutes consumed in it's
delivery, and applauded to the end when
the sentiments Of the speaker appealed
especially to their patriotism pr pride
or aroused their enthusiasm by the re-
countnl Of the deeds OF their foretathers
on field and In forum.
The exercises were opened with prayer
by Rev. w. A. r. Goodwin. rector OF old
Rruton parish. DR. Lyon G. Tyler scholar
and historian, made an Introductory
address. and concluded 1t by presenting
the speaker OF the occasion, DR. Thomas
Nelson Page the Virginia historian. din-
lectician and novelist. DIR, Tyler ex.
tended welcome to all to the sacred
soil on which they stood. In doing SO no
gave condensed history Of the old
Capitol or Hall Of the Burgesses. beside
the foundations OF which the crowd was
gathered.