Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-29
Editorial In the !,

ago the cry On to Richmond" smote
the air from the Potomac to the ice
bound regions of the Far North
IT startled civilized humanity tho
world over. 1t was heraldcd by many
beyond the seas as the doom OF the
long -distrusted experiment OF repub-
Ilcan government on this Western
Hemisphere. The existence Of the
was put in peril.
Those that raised the cry were Amer
leans and marched under the Amer.
lean mas. and IL liz not meant here to
impeach in any degree the integrity
OF their convictions.
No purpose is cherished to. by even
breath fan into a flame the embers Of
settled strife" but the chiefcst Elor-
OF any people are the valorous deeds
which they have wrought in obedience
TO convictions Of duty.
Those who heard that cry on thi.
side the historic Potomac were also
Americans OF the richest and purest
blood
Their forbears had founded that gov
eminent which wns radical departure
from all then known forms OF govern
ment.
One OF Virsinia's grea, sons had
penned the Declaration o. Indepen-
dence and thereby won his passport 10
Immortality.
Another OF her sons had led the army
which made good the great dcclara-
ton.
Another had drawn the charter Of
organic law OF the new republic.
which was pronounced by one Of tho
worlds leading statesman the great
cs; product OF the human mind In all
the ages.
Still another had. as head OF the
greatest judicial tribunal the world
has ever seen. interpreted that Con-
stitution SO as TO establish II forever
and vindicate the wisdom and states
manship OF his fellow Nirgintan, whose
master mind had brought II into exist
ence
Devotion TO that Constitution and TO
the principles OF government which IL
embodied was the cardinal political
faith Of those ION this side the line"
AID when they heard the cry ION TO
Richmond" they Interpreted :, az a
menace TO their liberties. and they
sprane to arms to meet and repel what
they believed was unwarranted agrees
sion.
What followed is history and be-
longs to the ages. The record Ia writ
ten in blood. but II is lighted with
II were but to discuss barren and
proftless distractions to debate nov
VINO, according to canons OF construc-
ton and Interpretation were right
The issue Of battle did not decide the
question. and We are yet too near that
day and time to hope TO settle it in
the forum of controversy and debate;
but all men know that Constitutions
and judicial DEGREES and the areu-
ments of statesmen become as sound
ing brass and tinkling cymbar when
the foot OF the invader presses the soil
OF any land; for the right Of defense
Of home and family-''the ashes OF our
fathers and the affairs OF our gods
Is inherent and heaven-implantcd and
that people which stands between its
homes and fresdes and an invading
foe Is always right, and from the hour
when first thcy strike the question OF
who was right passes forever beyond
the range OF controversy.
In some yet far-off day the question
will be forever settled In the tribunal
Of impartial history, and the South pa
tiently and confidently awaits lis SOL
emn Judgment.
The cry 'On to Richmond" rises now
again upon the air, and is echons over
the land from where the majestic 70
tomac sweeps TO the sen. TO where the
rays OF the dying sun linger in lines
OF beauty on the tawny bosom of the
Rio Grande. and to Virginia's generous
invitation the answering cry from the
boys who wore the gray" Is I'VE will
be there"
There Is no terror in the cry now.
It brings no forebodings of danger.
1t is not the herald and harbingcr OF
| bloodshed or strife, but II wakes ten
! der. historic. holy memories In the
minds Of thousands.
There is now n touch Of pathos i'm the
very words. for Richmond is shrine
| set apart and consecrated to memories
| that can never die.
| Historic Richmond. Heroic Rich
| nond. She is covered with glory as
with a garment and filed with holy
memories even as her air is filed with
perfume OF rose and apple bloom when
touched by the tender kisses Of spring
| time.
There have dwelt In that historic city
| for two centuries and more, and there
| dwell there yet, the highest types OF
| humanity the world ever saw and the
pilgrims to that sacred Mecca I'm June
| will he the guests OF a people with
whom courtesy Is A creed and hospital
ity is a religion.
Merit is not measured there by any
monetary standard. Breeding and not
bullion, gentle blood, not gilt -edged
bonds, arc the test and standard OF
social worth there, and devotion to the
deathless memories which cluster about
fallen. but glorious and glorihed,
cause Is the very vital breath Of a
| great people.
| They have wrought since April Q,
1855, work OF rehabilitation and re-
| demption without parallel In the
| annals OF human achievement
| They have held unssduced to the no.
1itical faith "onco delivered to the