Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-09-28

a uay ever TO De remembered and
treasured by Us. l recall that John
Jasper, celebrated negro preacher
of Richmond, in his sermons, fire.
quently remarked that there were
four kinds of people in the world -
Hottentots, Huguenots, Abyssinians
and Virginians; that these included
all. After meeting this splendid
array of visitors today from my sister
State, ] wish to name fifth class,
peculiarly charming and attractive,
the Marylanders. A Virgin'an re-
marked recently, when he died he
wished to die in old Virginia, because
the transition from there to heaven
would be less abrupt and the change
less sudden than from elsewhere. |
feel sure that all virginisns will
concur with me in saying that If
this transition from earth to heaven
can't be had in the Old Dominion,
the next best locality from which we
would desire to have it would be
Maryland, since, next to Virginia,
the change from there would be less
abrupt. There is no State in this
Union for which Virginia entertains
a warmer regard, a higher esteem
and q deeper reverence than for
Maryland.
Both of these illustroius Common
weaIths belong to Americas aristoc-
racy of States, since they are in
cluded in the thirteen original colo
nies. Maryland was once part of
Virginia, and Virginia parted with
her very reluctantly. 1t was only
by force of arms that Virginia con-
sented to lose so fair and desirable a
province. Tne first naval battle of
America was fougbtin the Pocomoke
river, on the 23d day of April, 1875,
between the vessels of Clay yborne, a
Virginian, and Leonard Calvert, for
control of Maryland. / must be
frank enough to confess that in this,
the first naval hattie of the Western
world, the Marylanders were tri.
umphant and defeated the Virgin.
ians. Thus, Maryland early gave
indication of that supremacy and
genius in naval warfare which after.
wards, through her illustrious sons
Steven Decatur and Wingfeld Scott
Schley, wrote the brightest chapters
in the naval achievements of thls
nation. / am proud to salute Com
monwealth which can furnish, moi
to this nation, but TO the world, two
such immortal heroes. 1 cannot re.
frain upon this occasion from con,
veying to this splendid State my
profound admiration for her in being
the 6rst organized government to be
founded upon the eternal principle
of the absolute freedom of human
conscience In matters of religious
worship aud belief. The Tolera tior
Act of Maryland, passed in 1649, i.
the first recorded legislative act OF
the world where absolute freedom ui
religious worship and belief were per.
mitted. This great Commonw ealtt
has the glory of being the pioneer OF
all others in preserving the integrity
and absolute freedom of human
thought and conscience. A Com
monwealth possessed of such a proud
distinction may we'll have her brow
ever decked with q diadem of praise
and fame.
During the Revolutionary War
Maryland and Virginia stood shoulder
to shoulder; both became battle.
scared with suffering, and crowned
with Revolutionary triumphs. Hel
Samuel Chase and her Charles Car.
roll were Revolutionary patriot,
whose eminent service ranked with
the best. Maryland has produced
eminent sons, whose genius has made
that Commonwealth resplendent and
illustrious. Her William Writ and
William Pinkney were famous ora.
tors, who have given to speech new
charms and graces, and taught tt
eloquence new powers. She alone oi
the Commonwealths of this nation
could furnish in Roger Tawney a fl
successor for Chief Justice Marshall
of Virginia. Her Francis Scott Key
the author of the "Star-Spangled
Banner" furnished the battle ymr
of the republic, whose soul.stirrips
notes have animated brave hearts anl
made them carry Old Glory through
many fields of carnage and danger t,
heights of victory and glorious tri
umph.
As the Chief Executive of thi
State, and in behalf of the people O
Virginia, | gladly welcome Mary
land to participation in this Exposi
ton. For contributions to nationa
greatness and glory Justly entitle he
to full participation and high station
in the coming exercises. / wish t,
assure her distinguished Governor
and request him to convey to tn
citizens of his State the fact that d
State in the Union will receive
warmer and more loving welcom
than that extended to our sister Stat
of Maryland.
My friend, in passing, could NO
refrain from paying this short, be
deserved tribute, to this State, who's
people have ever been friendly an
generous to Virginia, alike in ou
days of prosperity aud power, and il
our dark hours of suffering an
despair.
That beautiful and stirring tune
"My Maryland" almost awakens i
the heart of Virginian as muc
enthusiasm and delight as il does /