The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-09

the gWat New World was established.
from the home of the first germ OF
our civilization and government to a
land where the hopes and dreams OF
three centuries ago have found fair
and glorious fruition.
When a little company of Eng
disappearing people at jamestown
were yet in the cradle of this great
Republic, when three thousand miles
of water already traversed lay be-
tween them and their native home,
Their first yearning was for west
ern ocean and their first cry was for
the possession of the unknown land,
the far-spread trackless wilderness
that would stretch the boundary OF
Virginia from ocean to ocean,
The charter of 1909 fixed the metes
and bounds of Virginia as 200 miles
northward from Old Point Comfort,
and 200 miles southwark from Old
Point Comfort. all along the sea coast
and up into the land throughout from
sea TO sea. West and Northwest, and
all the islands lying in 100 miles OF
the sea coast For more than $50
years Virginia rested on this paper
title, and only as the war of the Rev
olution was closing an expedition COM
posed of yirginians. under command
of George Rogers Clarke, was organ
lied and equipped by Patrick Henry.
then Governor of Virginia. and sent
on the perilous mission of taking po-
session of the vast territory between
the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers.
being all that was then left OF the
original domain under the terms OF
a treaty between the Mother Coun-
try and Spain. The Mississippi VAL
ley. a very empire in itself. was by
IN nc
nation. for it was held by Virginia
against England. subsequently coded
by Virginia TO the Union. and consti-
tutes the territory now occupied by
the Middle States. Not content with
this limitation of our territory,
Thomas jefferson negotiated the
Louisiana purchase, and thus drove
the stakes which extended our west
ern border still further toward the
Pacific. isiere TO remain for nearly
half a century. The Mexican war and
its results brought US this beautiful
land, and with 1t the complete fulfill
ment for the nation of the dream OF
the little Virginia colony for itself.
Star OF Empire Reaches Limit !.
The Star of empire had at last
reached the limit of its westward
course in the waters of the Pacific.
leaving us the sluge possession. OUT
of which State after state has been
carved, until fortNeight stars en-
blazon the national emblem as 1t floats
the insignia of honor and power from
sea 70 sea.
United as Virginia and California
now are by vast systems of trans
continental communication. drawn to-
gether by the ties that bind State to
State. there Is the yet closer tie which
springs from virginia's motherhood
of thousands of sons and daughters
who have become by your generous
adoption loyal Californians. For the
filial devotion of these. her children.
Virginia returns the fullest measure
of maternal love and pride. rejoicing
that Ii has been her privilege to give
of her flesh and blood to the upbuild-
ing of your great Commonwealth. In
spirit we feel peculiarly near to you,
and no expanse of rolling prairie, no
height of snowy peak, no far-fluns
barrier OF mountains, can separate you
from Virginia, whose people glory In
your youthful vigor and your match
less resources.
Imagination revelied In the pros
pect of all that we should behold In
your land of wonders. but the reality
has far exceeded our anticipations,
Truly on California has been iavished
the treasures of earth and sea and
sky. The elusives pot of gold IL at