Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-06-14


tion, made a military genius second
only to Lee and Napoleon, the two
great Gods of War. Then, seeming as
If desirous of reaching climax in your
rich gifts, you gave to the world Robert
Z. Lee, whose princely bearing,
knightly courtesy, christian devotion to
duty, brave heart, superb intellect and
amazing genius, formed a character
without peer, and will ever shine as
the brightest star in the galaxy of
Anglo-Saxon greatness.
Sirs, so varied and valuable have
been the achievements of Virginia that
numberous titles of distinction have
been awarded her. On account of her
faithful loyalty to the fortunes of an
ill-fated Prince, she is called "The Old
Dominion;" measured by the many
beautiful daughters she has given to
the sisterhOod of states, she is called
THE Mother of States;" grateful for
the seven great presidents she has
furnished to govern this nation, she is
called 1.-THE Mother of Presidents 1.-THE
heroism, sacrifice and fidelity with
which she clung to the fortunes of the
ill-starred confederacy in its darkest
hours gave her the name of 1.-The Un-
terrified Commonwealth"
Well can Virginia this year stand on
an eminence that overlooks three hun
dred years of endeavor and proudly
survey the pathway she has travelled.
In her sojourn she has met perils which
she has bravely overcome. encountered
misfortunes of which she made no
complaint, proudly bore in silence
and finally conquered. She has seen
many wars and fierce conflicts involving
her rights, to which, with reckless pro-
fusion, she sent her noblest sons, whose
valor and military genius have encircled
her brow with an unfading lustre. In
every part of national life and endeavor
she has furnished illustrious sons. the
splendors Of whose fame are immortal.
In the plenitude of her prosperity and
power she generously gave to the
| Union when it was weak and poor
When in the hours of her sorrow and
distress the Union ruthlessly tore from
her one-third of her territory, with
proud disdain, but not despair, she sub
mitted and commenced at once to make
better and richer her lessened domain.
Sirs, the great sculptor, Michel Angelo,
has well said: 1.-The more the marble
wastes, the more the statue grows. ("
With equal truth it can be said, that
though Virginia has been reduced in
power and territory, yet, on account of
what has been chiseled away by her
generosity and patriotism, has been
created a figure of beauty, majesty and
grandeur surprising any mass of marble
that ever numbered mountain side.
Sirs, in conclusion, while we survey
with pride Virginia's superb past, let
US face the future with hope and con-
fidence. Never were the skies of Vir-
ginia illumined with brighter prospects.
Every section of the State is thrilling
with marvellous industrial develop
ment, blessed with an amazing in
crease of wealth. In every direction
Virginia is making rapid and perma-
nent advance. The future beckons
her to higher, nobler destiny. Chast-
ened by misfortune, made patient by
long sufferings, brave by burdens borne
and overcome, stirred by the possibili-
ties of an industrial development and
wealth almost unspeakable, cherishing
to passion the teachings of her il
lustrious dead from Washington to Lee,
Virginia presents a combination of
strength and sentiment destined to
make her again the wise leader in this
nation of political thought and national
achievement. Young men of Virginia
the clock of opportunity strikes our
hour of work and responsibility. Let
us, animated by a patriotism that is
national, stirred by the possibilities of
our State, which point to a greater
future, resolve to answer all demands
made upon us by our beloved State and
common country, and to aid this glo-
rious Commonwealth and this mighty
Republic to advance along the pathway
of justice, liberty and progress.