The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-03-16

ofates. and shall contain the name
o. no city. 1t shall also have power
to erect at jamestown or elsewhere
2 suitable permanent memorial Of
such character as to II may seem
most appropriate and proper, the ex-
ecution OF memorial at James,
town to be subject to the consent
and the design to be subject to the
approval Of the Association for the
preservation of Virginia Antiqui-
tfes.'
On March 8, 1905, Congress
passed an act, which declared in
part: Whereas It Is desirable to
commemorate In fitting and ap-
propriate manner the birth OF the
American nation, the first permanent
settlement of English-speaking peo-
pie on the American continent made
al jamestown, Va, on the 18th day
o. May. 1907, in order that the great
events Of American history which
have resulted there from may be ac-
centuated to the present and future
generations of American citizens;
and whereas that section of the
commonwealth Of Virginia where the
first permanent settlement was
made conspicuous In history of the
American nation by reason of the
vital and momentous events which
have. taken place there In the Colon
ial, Revolutionary and Civil Wars
OF the nation, including not only
the first permanent settlement of
English-speaking people, but also
the scene of The capitulation of
Lord CORVALLIS at Yorktown, and
the scene of the first naval con-
flict between 'armor-clad vessels,
the Monitor and Merrimac; there
fore be 1t enacted that there shall
b. inaugurated in the year 1907, on
and near the waters of Hampton
Roads, In the State of Virginia, as
herein provided, an international
naval, marine and military celebra-
tion, beginning May 13 and ending
not later than November /, 1907"
The act appropriated $4,000 for
the expenses of the celebration,
which included $4,000 for a per-
manent monument upon the place
o. the first permanent English set
Element at Jamestown, and author
lied the President ito issue proc
lamation Of the celebration, setting
forth the event tn he commemor-
ated, inviting foreign nations to
participate by sending their naval
vessels and such representations of
their military organizations as may
be practicable and TO have such ppr-
tions of our Army and Navy as
sembled there during the said cele-
bration as may be compatible with
the public service. - The militia
OF the several states were also in
vited to participate.
This celebration. directed by Con-
gress, Is IN close proximity both in
time and place, to the jamestown.
Exposition organized
under the law of Virginia, and II
was undoubtedly intended as an aid
to that exposition, but the two ar.
rangements are entirely separate in
control and in character. Congress
entered into a direct national par
'ticipation In lthe exposition jJy ID
law passed In 1906, which will be
presently explained.
Officers of the Army and Navy are
obedient to law, the loyal servants
o. the people, and they do not In
dulge In commentator or criticism
Of their rulers. But 1t may not be
improper for one of them to point
good reasons for the act of Congress
and the appropriateness of partici-
patton by the Army and Navy In the
great national event, but keeping in
view that their presence will not be
the main feature but will be collat-
eral and subsidiary to the arrange
ments and objects of the jamestown
Ter Centennial Exposition, a congre-
cation OF peace and not for war.
1t may be rightly affirmed that
there would be no exposition in 1907
but for the past services of milf
tary and naval bodies. Had the
English Navy been crushed and de-
stroyed by the Spanish Armada In
1888, the English settlement of Vir.
ginia would not have been effected;
and history of this land may have
been made by another people. In
the Colonial and Revolutionary Wars
OF our country, the military and
naval forces have borne honorable
rarts' often of decisive Importance.
The story of America cannot be writ
Ten without many chapters upon the
real services and devotion OF those
men who put on the uniform of the
Army and Navy, or wore that OF the
citizen soldiery. The celebration Of
the birth and growth of the nation
would be incomplete without their
presence Of those arms which made
The commemoration possible. Tho
Congress recognized the Army and
Navy and the Militia as an element
81 our national life and history
worthy OF representation at gath. |
,ring Of citizens OF all States, to re.
|oice over the past and gather frA |
,ernal and patriotic spirit for the /
uture.
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