Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-05-17
IRVINGTON VIRGINIA. FRIDAY, MAY H. 1907

} night to guide us through the wilder.
ness. Standing today on an eminence
that overlooks three hundred years of
brave endeavor, let us fearlessly face
the future, which beckons us on to a
higher, nobler destiny.
As we stand here on this spot where
we began, and survey with pride and
patriotism the pathway we have trav-
eled and ponder the perils over which
we have passed and perceive that in all
we have had the sustaining hand of a
Divine Providence let us strengthen and
confirm our Christian faith, and let us
resolve to give willing service and sac
rlflce to our country. Let us determine
to preserve the priceless principle of in
dlYidual liberty and equal opportunity,
which constitutes the foundatian of our
prosperity, from the destructive assaults
alike of socialism and predatory wealth.
With strong arms and brave hearts let
us press forward to our responsible duty
and perform our part of the world S work.
Today as we gather on these grounds,
around which cluster so many historical
associations and heroic deeds, our pulse
cannot fail to quicken and our minds to
thrill with lofty purposes and high am
bitions. Here for almost century was
the chief seat and capitol of Anglo-Sax-
on power in the Western world. Here
the adventurous and chivalrous Smith
ruled, and by his resolute courage and
indomitable energy made the settlement
permanent and founded the first English
colony. Here were undergone perils
and privations sufficient to daunt the
stoutest heart. Here Pocahontas, the
gentle Indian princess, was wooed, won
and welded. Here was empannelled
the first jury that ever administered JUS
tice in the Western hemisphere. Here
Christianity built her first church in
America. Here assembled in 1919 the
House of Burgesses, the first legislative
body elected by the people that ever sat
or enacted laws for the new world. Here
in 1924 the House of Burgesses boldly
declared that no taxes could be levied or
collected in Virginia except by the duly
elected representatives of the people.
This was prior to the conflict in Eng
land Between Charles the First and the
British Parliament. Here also the
House of Burgesses refused to grant
to Charles the First a monopoly of
their tobacco and severely punished
their clerk for furnishing his Commits
sioner copy of their proceedings
Here in 1886 the House of Burgesses
deposed the royal Governor Harvey and
elected Captain John West in his place.
This was the first bold, direct defiance
of royal authority and the first revolu-
tionary act in America. Here in 1861
the Virginia people compelled the Com
missioners of Oliver Cromwell, whose
iron hand had crushed the British Par
Lament, to concede that no taxes should
be imposed or collected except by the
consent of the General Assembly of Vir-
ginia. During Cromwell S despotic rule in
England the Governors of Virginia were
here elected by the Representatives of
the people, and the writs ran in the
name of the General Assembly. Here
in 1876 was the first armed rebellion
against British tyranny and oppression,
then Nathaniel Bacon and his followers
by force of arms drove Berkeley from
jamestown and seized the reins of gov
erment. Then and there were sown the
seed which afterwards ripened into the
Revolutionary war and brought indepen-
dence to this nation. The very air of
this place isredolent with achievements.
Every spot could unfold taleof suffer-
ing, tears and blood. Romance and
heroism will ever envelop Jamestown
with and unfading interest and lustre.
The poet tells us that the Tyre vibrates
with sweet sound after the spirit that
swept its strings has passed away. So
in the coming years will jamestown,
still vibrating from the touch of her i'm
mortal dead. stir the souls of all Amer
leans to lofty aspirations and induce
them to raise the nation here founded
to the highest pinacles of goodness,
greatness and glory.