Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-06-21

ization ia the same length OF time
ever accomplished so much for the
betterment Of mankind or produced
so many eminent men, who will be
numbered forever among the inn
mortals. Her history is replete
with great deeds and great names.
MOST IMPORTANT RIGHTS.
The two most important rights
to modern times are the trial by
jury and legislative government.
Within Virginia was empannelled
the first jury that ever administered
Justice in the Western Hemisphere.
Here ia the New World was first
exercised ard firmly established,
that precious heritage of the Angle
Saxon, which has been the Grief
source Of his liberty aud his nam
protection against oppression and
despotism. At jamestown, on the
on the 38th Of July, 1919, assembl.
ed the House of Burgesses of Vir-
ginia, the first legislative body that
ever sat or enacted laws in Amer!-
ca. This was the first parliament
airy body of the world, composed
Of members from designated bor-
oughs and elected by universal suf-
frages. In the modest wooden
church at Jamestown was first ex-
ercised the great principle that
government should be the express
sion of the will of the masses OF
the people. The birth Of free req
resentative government in Virgin
ia was coeval with its destruction
elsewhere. James | had deprived
Parliament Of its power and privi-
Ieges. dissolved it, not to he con-
vened for seven years. The span.
ish king had destroyed the Nation
al Cortez, and his will was the law
of Spain. The States General OF
France was dissolved, not to be
called until 1889, on the eve of the
French Revolution. The only
place free from arbitrary power
and despotism was the small colo
ny Of Virginia fringing the Allan
tic coast. Liberty has no refuge
save in the forests Of Virginia.
Right valiantly did the brave cav
alters of Virginia preserve the sac
red fire entrusted to their keeping.
In 1924, without dissenting voice,
the House Of Burgesses enacted
that no taxes should be levied with
iu the colony and no money appro-
priated except by its authority.
Their bold declaration was made
years before the same was asserted
by the British Parliament against
Charles |. The principle that tax
alton is a gift of the citizens, de-
pendent on thcir consent. aal not
prerogatiye to be exercised by
rulers, is the Nsry- fnundatlannAr,nnaa==
ITt6 SoNcI uihChU' A"'' ~
right for which we contended q
CENTURY and a half later in the
Revolutionary War. The germ OF
free institutions was first planted
and nourished in. the soil Of Vir.
GINA. Protected by praye, loving
hands, refreshed by heroic blood,
it was strengthened, has grown and
fructifed until now it overspreads
the world. The people of Virgin
ia, through their elected represent
atives, levied and appropriated all
taxes. declared war and made peace,
! guarded their own forts, furnished
and comma ded their own troops,
and practically exercised all the
functions Of government. In 1859
Virginia made another firm asser-
ton of her privileges and rights.
Charles |. presented fattering
offer to the colony to give him a
monopoly of their tobacco. The
Assembly vigorously protested
against the monopoly, and decisely
rejected the proposal. Charles ac-
ouiesced in this refusal, and the
king, who had ruthlessly monopo-
LIKED the trades and industries Of
England to obtain money, dared
not to extend his despoiling hand
to Virginia. Later Charles receiv-
ed a holder and more dangerous de-
fiance. He sent his commissioners
to INQUIRE into the affairs Of Vir-
ginia, and demanded the public
!, | records of the colony.
|, (Continued on Page 2.)