Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-06-14

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victories have ever produced such ia,
reaching results as his. In the beauti.
ful valley of Virginia was brave, daring
Daniel Morgan, who, Bancroft saws.
was 1.-THE greatest commander of light
troops of the world" His rapid march
with his Virginia riflemen from Win
chester to the relief of Boston within
twenty-one days startled and stirred
the country. He, with his Virginia
troops, was the first commander to sue
cessfully resist Burgoyne's army and
to him and them belong the chief glory
OF Saratoga. He, sustained by his brave
Virginia ri1emen, won the battle of Cow
pens, which was acknowledged as the
most astonishing and brilliant victory
OF the war. In superb Southwest Vir-
glnia was stern William Campbell. who
commanded and won the battle of
Kings mountain, which victory made
possible the final triumph at Yorktown.
AT Stratford, in Westmoreland county.
lived Light Horse Harry Lee, who
became the Rupert of the Revolu
ton, the most gallant and dashing
cavalryman that ever drew saber.
Surrounding these great luminaries
were lesser lights, yet whose brilliance
were sufficient to make resplendent any
state. Among these was grim, deter
mined Archibald Cary, of Ampthill,
called "Old Iron;" scholarly Richard
Bland; the brave, gallant Thomas
Nelson, who at the battle of Yorktown
directed the troops to fire at his own
home; pious, patriotic John Page; Ed
mund Randolph, learned, eloquent and
able, the first Attorney General of the
United States, and also Secretary of
State; Peyton Randolph, first President
of the Continental Congress: Meri-
wether Lewis, whose wonderful explo-
rations from the Mississippi to the
Pacific gave to this nation through
discovery that lovely stretch of country
embracing Oregon, Washington and
other magnificent states.
Sirs, eliminate the achievements of
these men and you will nearly unwrite
the history of America. These were
the brains that conceived; these were
the hands that constructed our national
system and formed the foundation upon
which have been builded American
greatness and glory. Virginia many
and valuable have been your gifts to
this nation; great is your title to dis
tinction and Immortality. Within your
border was erected the first church in
this nation; was built the first furnace;
was founded the first free school. 1t
was you who first challenged France on
this continent. Your House of Bur-
gesses was the first assembly of the
colonies to demonstrate against the
tyranny of the British Parliament and
assert American rights; you were the
first to pass resolution for armed re-
sistance against British power; your
convention was the first to declare for
freedom and independence uncondition-
ally, and thus you became the first Re-
public Of the Western world. The in
dependence of all the colonies was
moved in the Continental Congress in
your name, through instructions given
to your delegates. To allay colonial
Jealousies during the Revolutionary war
you generously conceded the territorial
claims of all the other colonies. To
40 tot -
gave to the nation large territory, an
empire in vastness and richness, which
was yours by charter and conquest. 1t
was you who called the Convention
which prepared the Federal Constitu-
tion. To you belongs the honor of being
the first to condemn and prohibit the
infamous slave trade. 1t was your
wisdom and foresight which saved the
Northwestern territory from slavery;
which act was the most controlling of
all causes which led to its final destruc-
tion. That the rich and large stretch
of territory embracing Texas and Cali
fornia is part of this nation is due to
the policy of your distinguished son,
President Tyler, and the victories of
your illustrious soldiers, Scott and Tay-
lor. The first blood shed in the Revo-
lutionary war was on the western border
in conflict with the Indians, melted by
Britain. The last final blow that de-
stroyed British power in America was
delivered on your soil at Yorktown.
The first iron-clad vessel, which revo-
lutionized the navies of the world was
built and fought within thy waters.
During the late war between the States
your soil was the seat of the most pro-
longed and terrific war of all ages and
of all countries. Within five years
more than six hundred battles were
fought within your borders. There is
scarcely hilltop, stream or village
within your limits which has not become
historical from its association with
some daring deed of valor, or splendid
display of military genius or prowess.
Virginia, your history from Bethel to
Appomattox CLEANS with glory that
has brought to you renown which is
imperishable. You gave the world its
most daring exhibition of disciplined
valor, when amid storm of shell and