Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-06-13

the United States, and also Secretnryl
of State; Peyton Radolph, first Pres.
ident of the Continental Congress:
Lewis, whose wonderful
explorations from the Mississippi to
the Pacific gave to this nftionl
through discovery that lovely stretchI
of country embracing Oregon, Wash.
ingtOn and other magnificent states.
Sirs, eliminate the achievements or |
these men and you will nearly un.
write the history of America These
We're the brains that conceiyed:
these were the hands that construct
ed 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 distinction ana i'm
Within your border was
erected the first church in this ma.
tom was built the first furnace;
YES founded the first free school. 1t
was you who first challenged France
on this continent. Your House Of;
Burgesses was the first assembly of
the colonies to demonstrate against
theityranny of the British Parliament
ana assert American rights; you wereI
tiit W DlS0 u lot ailll-
ed resistance against British power;
your convention was the first to de-
clare for freedom and independence
the first Republic of the Western
world. Tho independence OF ali the
colonies was moved in the Continent
tai Congress- in your name, through
instructions given to your delegates.
10 cement tho states into Union
""ll gave to the nation large terri.
tory. an empire in vastness and rich
nesse which was yours by charter and
conquest. 1t was you who called the
Convention which prepared the Fed.
eral Constitution. To you belongs
the honor of being the first to con-
denim and prohibit the infamous
slave trade. 1t was your 'wisdom
and foresight which saved tho North
western territory from slavery, which
net was the most controlling of all
causes which led to its final destruc.
tlon. That the rich and large stretch
of territory embracing Texas and Cal.
ifornia Is part of this nation is due
to the policy of your distinguished
son, President Tyler, ana tho yicto-
rses of your illustrious soldiers, Scott
and Taylor,
State Battlefield.
The first blood shed in the Reyo.
lutlofiary war was on the western Dor.
der in conflict with the Indians, III.
cited by Britain. Tho last ilna, blow
that destroyed British power In Amer.
lea was delivered on your soil at
Yorktown. The first ironclad vessel,
which revolutionized the navies of
the world was built and fought with.
In thy waters. During the late war
between the States your soil was tht;
seat of the most prolonged ana tnrii /.
fic war of all ages and of all coun.
tries. Within five years more then
six hundred battles were fought with
in your borders. There Is scarcely n
hilltop, stream or village within your
limits which has not become histori-
cal from its association with some
| daring deed of palor. or splendid dis.
| play OF military genius or provinces.
Virginia. your history from Bethel to
Appomattox with n glory that has
brought to you n renown which is
ltmperishable. You gave the word its
most daring exhibition of disciplined
valor, when amid storm of shell and
shot Pickett charged the heights of
Gettyslarg and by baptism of blood
] and death showed the glorious stuff
OF which Virginians We're made. The
lurld light of that charge will shine
to remotest time. You furnished to
that conflict the dashing cavalryman,
| gallant Turner Ashby, whose name,
on his milk-white steed, his drawn
\ sword in hand, his face nblaZe with
! the enthusiasm, of battle, will live
as long as gallantry, patriotism and
! chivalry are cherished. You then
gave to the world It's greatest caval.
4 ry leader, who revolutionized the use
Of cavalry, blue-eyed, flaxen haired,
Jeb Stuart, "boisterous as March.
| fresh MS May" who rode and fought
like n mighty Saxon king. You pro-
duced the best corps commander of
his age, A. p. Hill, and the best tao
tician of his time, Joseph q. John
son. Then you gave to the world
that silent, storm, mysterious figure,
\ Stonewall jackson, the grent thunder
bolt of war, whose unflinching cour-
age resolute will, rapidity of move
ment holiness and brllliance of con-
oeption, made military genius sec
ond only to Lee and Napoleon, the
| two great Gods Of War. Then seem
ing as If DESTROYS of reaching n eli,
max In your rich gifts YOU gave to
the world Robert L. Lee, whose
princely bearing, knightly courtesy.
christian devotion to duty, brave
heart, superb intellect and great ge
MUS. formed character without a
peer and will ever shine as the
brightest star in the galaxy Of Anglo.
Saxon greatness.
Titles OF Destination.
sirs, SO varied and valuable have
been the achievements Of Virginia
that numerous titles of distinction
have been awarded her. On account!
Of her faithful loyalty to the fortunes