The Washington herald., 1910-03-22
vIRGINIA's COLONIES.
They Are an Institution and Muxt BE
RevereBtIy Handled.
/ Fro-, a.. fsas.-...s rs I'll

They Are an Institution and Must Be
ReverentIy Handled.
From the Richmond TimesDisgateb.
The Virginia colonies must be rever-
entity handled. They are an institution.
Daring legislators. reckless of precedent
may change the arrangement Of the au-
ditor's Office. may Gust a basement on
cial, may reduce appropriations and not
Increase special taxes. may. in word,
DO anything reckless or revolutionary, but
they must not reflect upon the colonies
or soon at their ancient dignities.
To do so would be to belle old Vlr-
GINA. for the colonies were as much a
part OF our ante-bellum life as the State
Guard. the KanaWha Canal. or the White
Sulphur Springs. The old colonels were
distinguished men, holding their heads
high with conscious pride ard prestige.
They were political oracles. knowing pre-
ciseIy how large a Wing majority Rich
mond would give or exactly how Drom-
goole would fare in the adjoining district.
In ostentation, in general usefulness. and
in ardent support OF their chief. they
were notable in an age OF notables.
Uniforms did not cost $500 in those
DAYS. to be sure. and ounces Of gold lace
sufficed for the martial aid where pounds
are needed now. But for all OF that. II
was a gallant sight 20 see Bassett French,
of revered memory, dsshing about in uni
form on the orders OF Honest John
Letcher. So was it dread thing 70 watch
the governors aids shivering IN the storm
when the cornerstone for the Washing
ton Monument was laid and stirring
spectacle to witness them gather around
Henry A. Wise as he welcomed the Sew
enth New York with sixty gallons of
punch when that distinguished command
came to Richmond. bringing the ashes
of James Monroe.
The colonies were useful In a half
dozen ways. OF the best blood Of old
Virginia, they were indispensable help
ers at social functions. When young Ia
/ dies gathered at the mansion, the aids
were the most prodigaI of entertainers
and the most assiduous Of courtiers They
could fiatter a maid, they could dance q
measure, they fairly swamped the place
when Gov. Wise's fair kinswoman visited
him And in more serious matters they
were always at hand. Who ever heard OF
a duel In polite circles but that a COVER
nor's aid was present? Who knew so well
as the colonels the range at ten PAGES, or
how 10 maintain an fmpassiye silencs
when the coroner's jury was sitting
When at length war came. how quick
they were 10 take the field, how proud OF
their position and how industrious. The
Examiner might abuse I,etcher's col.
onels. but they did their duty in Office
and on field
Nor were they less valuable when q
political campaign was sfoot. Then they
would rally TO their chief and champion
him on the stump with vehement elo-
quence and heartfelt invective for his
adversary. II the governor wanted an
editorial in the Examiner who could
so safely climb the rickety Office steps
as an aid? Who could so deftly soothe the
editors fire and satisfy his objections
Who could manipulate a convention OF
secure nomination with such eonsum-
mate grace and ease7
Do away with the colonies? TRANSFORMS
them into a veritable militia COMPANY
drawn from the entire State? AS soon
tear the bin of rights from the Const,tu-
ton or sell Houdon's Washington 10 2
pork baron from Chicago.