The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-17
STOKES ON
GREATNESS
OF STATE
continued from First page,

Continued from First Pnge.D
their hats, for nowhere among the group
of State buildings is there a finer, nor any
where could he found a more gracious
hostess than Miss Edith Little, of Plain
field, who is fondly recognized over all the
grounds as Little Miss Jersey.
Mrs. Clarence E. Breckenridge. wife of
the president, and Mrs. Lewis t. Bryant,
wife of the secretary of the New Jersey
Commission, assisted Miss Little in making
the visitors generally welcome, and, after
a brief stop. Governor Stokes, Senator
Kean, Adjutant-G General Breintnall and
members of the Governors staff made a
ceremonial call upon Governor Woodruff
at the Connecticut building.
The State day exercises began promptly
at II o'clock and were held In the Lee
parade reviewing stand, from which Gov
ernor stokes and his aides witnessed the
military and navnl parade. President
Breckenridge, of the New Jersey Com
mission, presided. Upon the stand with
Governor Stokes were President Tucker,
of the exposition. and Governor Swan
son.
Governor Stokes said:
This is New Jersey day on Virginia
soil. One of her poets has said:
'' The roses nowhere bloom so white as in
Virginia:
The sunshine nowhere SHINES so prlsnt 40
in Virginia;
| The birds sing nowhere quite so sweet and
nowhere hearts so lightly beat,
For heaven and earth both seem to meet
down In Virginia.
'Those who have experienced the hospi-
tality of this fair land are willing to ae-
cord her any praise that tongue can utter,
:" Greetings. she gladly gives to all who
Not gold and treasure. sought by men OF
yore.
But golden welcome shining from her door
Bids friends and strangers feel themselves
at home
Secretary Shaw said: independence ana
national union owe much to Virginia. Sne
furnished the author of the great declara-
ton. the commander-ln-chief Of the conti-
mental army, the prime mover and the
most conspicuous figure in the constitu-
tjonal convention, and the great interpreter
of our fundamental law. The first Presi-
dent of the United States and six success
sors were born within her boundary.
This is not the first time that New
Jersey and Virsinii have joined hands
When both We're struggling for tie indie
pendence Ct the thirteen colonies. New
Jersey. the central battle-ground OF the
Revolution, was host of that great Vir-
ginian, George Washington. From his en-.
trance into our State, In the early days OF
the Revolution tsDring, 1If5). until his fare,
well address to the armies OF the Unlteu
States. written at the Berrlen House ~
Rocky Hill. N. j., Washington spent one
quarter of his time in our commonwealth.
ION the occasion of his Journey to New
York TO his first inauguratioN his trip
across the State was one march,
and at Trenton he was hailed as the De
fender of our mothers and protector of our
daughters. This patriotic association With
the Father of His Country binds New Jer-
sey and Virginia in amity anG friendship.
A Yorktown sons Of New jersey fought
side by side with the sons OF Virginia and
saw the closing scene in that great drama
that resulted in the birth Of this nation
and made this celebration possible.
Nor docs the relation end here. In the
constitutional convention where was
framed our organic law-an instrument that
with varioas amendments has been elastic
enough 10 adapt itself to the needs Of a
growing and diverse population, and strong
enough to Withstand the shock of internal
convulsion, Virginia ana New Jersey each
proposed Il plan for the new government.
Out Of the debate touching these two
propositions came the final compromise
under which Virginia and New Jersey are
now marching In the galaxy of States.
With such associations IL was natural that
New Jersey should be the first to respond
to the appeal of Virginia and the request
Of the gallant and universally beloved F1tz-
hugh Lee and make an appropriation to aid
IN a fitting celebration OF the settlement Of
II need not add the feeling of fraternity
is also awakened by the fact that the
original Virginia grant extended far
enough north to include part of New Jer-
sew within its dominions.
Il want to first express my appreciation
to the managers of this exposition for the
thoughtful consideration extended TO our
State. / was here when the site was
selected for our State building, and from
that time to the present we have always
received the most thoughtful attention at
the hands OF those who had this great eeie-
bration In charge.
Il want also TO express my appreciation
to the commissioner of New Jersey for
the interest they have taken in present
ing our State to The public through its
various exhibits and through its special
building. The labors of these gentlemen
have been p~ainstaking and self-sacriicing.
giving, as they have. their thought and
entitled to the thanks of the citizens of
the commonwealth they ave so faithfully
served.
ent generation have celebrated important
events in American history.
THE Centennial Exposition marked a
hundred years of liberty.
THE Columbian Exposition celebrated
the great discovery Of q new world-a dis
oovery whica changed the face of c~iviliza-
ton.
"rhe Louisiana Purchase Exposition
celebrated the policy Of expansion that has
characterized this nation from its earliest
days.
pioneer spirit which caused men to leave
their homes and try their fortunes In a
new world-a spirit that yet abides in the
thousands Of immigrants that yearly en-
bark upon our shores. In such a celebra-
tion the thirteen colonies can view with
pride their early days of struggle. their
growing prosperity through Intervening
years and the addition Of thirty-four great
States.
Little did Captain John Smith or Sir
Walter Raleigh foresee the fruits Of their
daring and courage. Little did they imagine
that here should arise a nation whose
States were kingdoms In themselves.
.tFate made a wise selection when 1t
planted the first permanent colony in
America on Virginia soil Lofty mountains,
fertile valleys and plains. mineral re-
sources, splendid harbors and waterways
offered the Virginian those opportunities
which Americans are quick to seize and de-