Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-03-06
The Nations Cradle.

The seventeenth century marked
the commencement of Britain's
world dominance and colonial eX-
pansion. Jamestown was not alone
the first Anglo American settlement
but it was England's first colony
beyond the seas. Adventurous
young England, fretting at the
bonds of it's small island prison,
forth in quest of the larger liberty
that the genius of Columbus had
disclosed. 1t is true that the ele-
ments had been but half subjected,
man was still at the mercy of wind
and tide, and escape from these
found but the menace of grim for
bidding shores and savage hate
with a record already written in
blood and horror. But with the
friner fortitude that finds a way
through barriers loom the men and
mariners of England went forth in
to the world and set their feet in
strange and wondrous places. The
aboriginal silences of the planet
we're broken with the songs and
shouts of Saxon mariners. The
prows of English ships saluted
shores where glory since reared
her temples, and of these shores
there is none sublimer in sentiment
and history than the shore of
jamestown Island.
The pages Of history fail to reveal
a more dramatic chapter than that
Of this first English settlement at
jamestown. Romantic, pathetic
and tragic, it's scenes and incidents
are without a parallel in any age.
Let us imagine ourselves upon the
dock at Blackwell just prior to the
departure of the three little vessels.
The gentleman, and sailors and
men-at-arns are gathered together
in little groups awaiting some who
have not yet reached the scene.
The beautiful Thames rolls its
rippled tide in solemn cadence to
the sea.
Over yonder the pleasant country
lies dotted with its comfortable little
homes. A pleasant land enough,
this England, for any human, butt
doubly dear to those who claim it
as their own, and more than preci-
Gus TO those about to Ieaye it or an
untried venture such as this. And
there are women and children and
sweethearts and wives gathered
about the adventures, and there is
no merriment for the time of part
ing is at hand. Vows of love are
renewed, promises are made, weep
ing women cling to husbands whom
they feel are to return no more,
rough bearded men bend on one
knee to fold IN fond mbrace some
precious baby form; and the pathos,
and the pain, and the pang of part
| ing is felt there with a significance
never felt before. And kindly
man comes forward with d book IL
his hand, and he says to the
Captain Captain Newport, are our
people all assembled?n please you
Sir, they be all present." responds
he who is addressed. Then let us
pray" says the minister; and they
kneeI bare-headed before him, and
each heart asks blessings upoints
own dear loved ones; and the women
are sobbing, and the children are
crying, and the hearts Of strong
men are too full for utteTance, and
the signal is given, and they tear
themselves away, and the ships
move down the river, ard the last
futter OF a farewell handkerchief Is
hid by turn in the stream, and
soon these men. are alone with Gods
wonders of the deep!
At Cape Henry, some twelve
miles from the grounds Of the
| jamestown Exposition, upon the
walls Of an antiquated and obsolete
| light house 2 bronze tablet memoir
allies the landing Of these men
who knelt upon the dock at Black
walt 1t is in the shape of a cross
and sets forth that.
Near this spot
/ Landed April 26, 1907
Captain Babriel Ar
cher, Christopher Newport, Hon,
i George S. Percy, Bartholomew
| Gosnold. Edward Maria Wing
field, with twenty
five others who
called the place
Cape Henry planted
q cross april 90,
1907.
4 Being driven to their ships by the