The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-14
Historic Scene at Island
Where English Set
tiers First Landed.
AMBASSADOR AND
GOVERNOR SPEAK
Sentiment OF Common Heritage
OF Great Nations That Claspcd
Hands Across the Seas Was !,
Notable Feature Of Day.
Mr.. Bryce Much I'm
pressed by the Scene.

A great nation, with tho democratic
simplicity which marks and dignlfes
its power, celebrated on yesterday at
Jamestown Island the 30Oth anniver-
sary of It's birth.
Without pomp or circumstance, with
no imposing display OF armed force
or naval strength, without the accom-
paniment Of martial music or the dull
thunder Of triumphant salute. a pa
triotlc band of Americans, drawn to-
gether from all parts Of this vast coun-.
try, gathered quietly as pilgrims at a
holy shrine to honor tho day sacred
to the English-speaking world.
Virginia once more took her place
as head Of the nation, for her Chief:
Executive, in the absence OF President
Roosevelt. spoke for the people Of the Il
land and received at the hands OF the
Ambassador from the Mother Country
Z a message Of affection and good WILL
token of pride In the achievements
OF men who, springlng from the same
healthy blood. have nobly upheld and
advanced the glory and prestige of
the Anglo Saxon race.
r amlly GatneTlng.
This note of common heritage was i
marked In the ringing and eloquent
address Of Governor Swanson, and not
less SO in the dtgnifled reply Of the
British Ambassador, than whom no 4
student. Of history is in closer touch
with America and Americans. Twas
a family gathering g. tint met q tho
historic island, the spot where landed
three centuries before the adventurous
band Of Englishtnen from the three
small ships which had braved the un-s
known perils OF an undiscovered ocean,
for while the mighty war-shlps OF
many foreign nations rode at anchor
in Hampton Roads, forty mi les. away,
but two nations-England and Amer
ica the mother and her offspring
were present at the celebration at the
Cradle Of the Republic.
1t has been asked more than once
why it was that those hardy men of
the Godspeed, the Discovery and the
Susan Constant weary with travel and
sick with discomfort, sailed up the
river to Jamestown Island instead OF
landing near its mouth.
The answer came straight and clear
Yesterday, for no fairer spot ever at-E
tracted the eye Of man. or beckoneds
with more ailuring beauty than did
this bank of green, shaded by ancient
trees and resting on the bosom Of
placid waters, a haven Of quiet rest to-
men worn with the evils of sea life
and hungry for the material touch
of land
Thousands Assemble.
From Richmond came perhaps 1000.
persons. accompanying the British ans
bassador and the Governor of Virginia..
while at the island as many more from
Norfolk. Williamsburg and the sur
rounding country waited to extend a
welcome to the representative of the
mother country.
AS the Brandon, flying the English
and American flags. touched the wharf.
the. Blues band played "God Save the
King, quickly followed by america" "
while the crowds on land and ship
board cheered heartily.
Forming in line, His EXcellency. ac-
companied by Mr.. Joseph Bryan. anG
followed by Mr.. Bryce. Captain Me-
Cabo, Mr.. Moomaw, the poet Of the
OCCASION and DR., w. r. L. Smith. with
a company of the famous Blues as an
escort. marched through the newly
erected gates past the historic
tower Of the old church, and on to
tho speakers stand beyond
| \ The vast crowd covered the sides anu
overtoppcd the heights of the grass
stand, waiting In silence for tho Epis-
copal prayer.
Sacred Ground.
/ 1t was sacred ground to Mr.. Bryce.
| AS the others in tho stand seated
/ themselves, he alone remained stand
i ing, turning slowly and gazing out
/ over the marshes to tho mainland,
i across the island to the river and back
4 to tho ancient tower which marks the
4 first scheme of American civilization. 4
AS he said afterwards. he was think
ing of his fearless countrymen and the
dangers they had overcome by force
of mind and might to hold g now land
and found a new nation.
| This same thought seemed to have
! imbucd both speakers and the aus
/ dience, for the ceremonies We're mark
ed by serious tonc,sa noto OF thanks-
giving rather than shout Of reioic-
/ ing.
After a prayer Iieutenant- q Governor
Ellyson introduced Governor Swanson.
i who in clear, concise words. sketched
the history Of the colony and told the
story of tho States. rising at times to
heights of earnest eloquence. I
Mr., Joseph Bryan introduced Mr.,
\ Bryce, the British Ambassador, whose
voice broke with feeling as he delfv-
1 cred his message of congratulstion and
/ affection from the mother country. Mr..
! Moomaw. OF Ben. Va. read an excel-
lent poem; the students of the College
OF William and Mary. the second old-
est In America, sang n patriotic hymn;
i Bishop Gibson, of the Diocese of North.
ern Virginia, pronounced henedtction.
4 and tho three hundredth anniversary OF
4 the birth of America passed into hlsr
\ tory.
4 City Early Astir.
In u,,, "a cniisal i,y8t a
Iof yesterday as tho tercentanHlal day
Il was evidenced by tho fact that all
iRichmond was broad early. and hast
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