The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-21
nnIIx aI.h,.a.

J
To tho Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
.Sir..With recurrent Augusts those
OF US interested In the deeds OF other
aaS SSn are reminded OF the time nearly
was in possession OF our capital city,
the only time In the history of the
Invaded our soil. or the days of dread
| that had elimination in the burning
OF the Federal city there Is but one
MT of grace to recall, ono heroic figure
| oled time, and that the figure Of
woman: All honor to the memory OF
Dolly Madison. wlfc of the fourth
President, for to her Bravery we owe
not only the lesson of a splendid ex-
ample; but the preservation of the
material treasures OF our country. the
from life. and our greatest national
document. the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence.
When the war cloud. so long gather
Ing. broke over Washington. 1t found
the executive mansion practically de-
serted. save by Mrs. Madison, who
steadily stead yoI refused to move. though she
knew, the British We're within the city
oounds. She had not even body of.
militia as guard: only couple of gem
maid. In the midst of panic she was
clear headed, and personally directed
me packing Of the state papers in the
the portrait of Washington; and her
own story of that time. gathered from
her letter TO her sister. best gives a
OF country that upheld her
mere is no record that Mrs Madison
teok one article OF her own. ono bit
White House eSeTy n@s o t spaee the
the coach was in demand for the
papers belonging to the country. Of
which she was self-appointed custo-
by delaying to secure them from what
she guessed was a doomed building
one hears much of the social sraces
White. House and little of her sorrow
and disappointment at the ingratitude
of those she had made welcome at her
home. 1t is a big tribute to the gem
war cloud passed from the city. and
the official duties were once more
taken up by Mrs. Madison. she never
sought to retaliate on those who had
w5Ie her husbands policy was in
question 1t has probably been for
from the burning city, Mrs. Madison
sought shelter not only for herself
oot ior the precious papers in her
on her appeal And 1t is related that
this one time darling of fortune spent
the night In the coach in an apple or
cnard. and some OF the storm. though
she knew IT not. that put out the fire
OF She burning city and scared the in
vaders back TO their ships beat upon
ana rocked the great vehicle until II
seemed to the lonely woman that the
WINDOWS would hurst under the strain
Can more desolate situation be
INA gined? Alone. save for a few faith
tul servants; without knowledge as to
her husbands fate; her home de-
stroyed; her country in danger: the
women she had befriended refusing
her even the shelter of Kitchen until
me storm should pass. But plucky
Dolly was not dismaYed. and likely
IT Is that those hours OF distress were
made possible OF endurance by the
nrm faith in higher power. which
never left Mrs Madison In all the
years OF her varied life And likely
also is It that those prayers vera
neard. for u was not the bravery of
the American soldier that routed the
enemy but wonderful semi-trop!cai
storm. such as has never been since
experienced IN this latitude
II is said in all the records OF that
crazy dav ninety-e!ght years ago that
rs the British army OF invasion was
beginning to enjov Itself burning up
the Capitol. Presidents house and
Few other important places OF the
arch traitors" a roar OF thunder like
the ions artillery OF the world shook
the town: apd trees crashed and light
ming flashed about the heads OF those
nent on destruction. The rain did not
fall in the beginning OF the storm pc
ROD. and the wind seems to have been
unnoted but the thunder TO the in
summer storm seemed the echo of
cannonad!ng, and. thinking the Amer
lean troops were about 10 attack from
the other side OF the trees wili