The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1907-07-05
A Beautiful Custom.

itifOr H1fufd. During a recent
trip through some counties IN Eastern
Virginia, was very much impressed
with a-cu-tom, that prevails there, Of
ornnmenting the interior Of the coun-
~ courthouse with large portraits Of
the most distinguished citizens Of the
respective counties.
This beautiful custom not only
serves to beautify aud ornament the
one public building Of the county,
which Is the most common public
meeting place Of the citizels, and
which is many times the most untidy
and dingy building within the borders
OF fhe county; but il contributes to-
ward the preservation Of an appro-
pirate memorial of those virtues which
both ennobled the character of our dis
tInguishcd dead and constitute those
that are the most worthy Of the emu
lation Of the living.
In some counties the movement has
been o. slow growth, while in Others
it has very rapidly been accorded a
hearty resfon. on the part Of the cit
izenship at large; but wherever it pre-
walls at present the idea now seems to
be the object of genuine interest and
appreciation.
II happened TO be my pleasure to be
present on one occasion where p0r-
trait was unveiled and presented To
the county, and in both attendance Of
the citizens and i'm holiness Of the
sentiment expressed by the different
speakers the occasion was happy and
inspiring TIE memorials, after dedi-
cation, are given into the custody of
the county and are preserved with
Jealous care and attention; the court
house Is ornamented and the constant
presence Of such AN array Of distin-
guished portraits cannot but help TO
inspire "a proper and worthy aqpre-
citation Of those civic or military viz
tues which were embodied ia the lives
of the distinguished dead.
Here in oil Prince Edward is an
ideal place for the Inauguration Of such
a custom. The history Of our county
is resplendent with long list Of most
worthy citizens, and such public re-
cognition Of their virtues would be
out fitting tribute 10 the memory
Of their lives
Famville is being improved in
many ways By our city fathers, and
i'm keeping with such worthy spirit
there is no more appropriate man
ner in which we could ornament the
interior Of our courthouse building
than by beauiifying the walls thereof
with series # portraits Of our dis
ungui-hed dead The building be-
long, to the county and so long as
Prince Edward is preserved among |
the sisterhood Of counties, so long will
her court building be cared for and
these memorials preserved.
As 10 the plan Of such movement,
there il nothing that ought TO occa-
sion any serious objection or expense.
4 committee selected from the best
citizens Of the county could be elected |
by some incidental mass meeting Of
our people ON some convenient occa- |
sion. and such committee could serve
for definite period and could decide
upon the memorials TO be dedicated !
To the county. At the same time and
place that such committee Il chosen
we could organize what might be call |
ed "The Prince Edward Memorial As
ISOLATION which organization would
afford neucleus Of larger organiza-
ton whose membership could be in
creased from time to time.
The memorials should be confined
10 no one class Of distinguished citi-
zens of the county. Soldiers, states
men, jurisis and other citizens Of pecul-
lar distinction could be selected by the
committee, and whenever any parlicu-
lar parsonage should be decided upon,
the living defendants of such one
would he pleased TO furnish to the As
ISOLATION "a handsome portrait Of their
ancestor.
Among our distinguished dead that
might be worthy of such recognition
could be mentioned Gov. =. w. Nc
Kinney, Dr. John Peter Mettauer,
Judge f. y. Watkins, Judge +. ID.
Irving. Judge a. ID. Dickinson, Col.
John r. Thornton and many others,
all Of whom would be justly entitled
10 such recognition by our people.
There are a great many other ideas
that could be suggested by this COM
muuicatior, but they would serve only
10 lengthen IT, have no hesitancy in
saving that such "a movement will
meet q quick response on the part of
our people, and hope that you, Mr..
Editor, with your bright and efficient
editorial column, will not only en-
courage the idea, but will also invite
an expression Of opinion on such a
movement from your readers in diff
ferent parts of the county.
Yours respectfully,
Iulv .. iO7. J. TAYLOR THOMPSON.
Stimulation without Irritation.