Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-04-27
The CAPITOL Disaster

FIFTY years ago today Richmond was
plunged into such GRIEF as seldom falls
10 the fortune OF any city. Almost within
the instant the lives OF sx;y-two OF its citi-
zens were snufcd out and 25l persons
were grievously injured. 1t was IL sad blow
To community barely emerging from Il
conflict that had claimed thousands OF its
bravest and best. and had left it all but
proSiratc III the wake of war. Today, in
the Capitol. 4 tablet will be unveiled as a
memorial TO those who lost their lives when
IN" floor of the supreme Court chamber
gave way. Prominent Nirginians will de-
liver addresses. in tho throng will be some
VINO remember the tragedy. and ut least
une or two WIZ passed through il and were
preserved miraculously Ia Ions and useful
lives
There will H. a deep significance to that
ceremony today. significance that many
persons witnessing il may fail To catch. In
truth. the very tardincSs in the erection
OF the tablet is evidence sufficient that the
General Assembly and Nirginians generally
have lacked appreciation OF all that the
Capitol disaster involved. and the States
duty 10 commemorate it in appropriate and
lasting fashion. The late Major ]. y. Stubbs
was one Of the few who in ii mile
stone along N:rginias troubled pathway.
l. was years before his endeavors to have
The memorial authorized by the Assembly
bore fruit. Finally lie was successful but
lie was moi spared 10 witness the ceremony
when marks the completion OF his efforts.
The Capitol disaster was TO the popular
mind il nor actually. the elimination OF
Nirginias struggle 10 maintain its State
sovereignty. For four long years il had
been the battle ground which States
rights had been defeated by force OF arms.
Then the same struggle was taken up again.
IN diHercn, form. but with an equal deter
minaton. The issue was Joined when the
City Council. under the enabling act, elected
tienry *. Ei!yson Mayor to succeed George
Chahoon serving under the military regime.
The latter refused TO surrender his author
ny. claiming the enabling act invalid and
depending on the Federal courts 10 sustain
him. Because OF the vital issue OF States
rights involved the nations eyes conferred
on Richmond. The case found its way 10
The supreme Court OF Appeals where it
argued with brlinnce by both sides
Then came the fatal day on which the de-
ciSiOn was o be rendered Scores of Rich
mond's leading citizens were present when
without warming, the floor gave way and
they were precipitated to death \ few
DAYS later tho decision was rendered and
Virginia 5 position was upheld at every
point. II was q victory for State sovereignty
and the influence OF that decision purchased
at the cost OF many precious lives. has
ing half-century.
Intervening years have assuaged the grief
OF that day and the younger generation
knows oil i; only from its elders hut as
thai memorial is unveiled today the minds
OF many while paving tribute to the vic
toTions battle Virginia made for the whole
South. cannot but revert TO the instances
OF recent years wherein the faith pledged
III that bysone time has not been kent
FOR Virginia and other States OF the South
have wandered far afed from the prece-
dent then established. Once more the CEN
ira!izat!onists are encroaching upon the
States. and Virginia. which checked them
theh, has not done its full duty in throw
Ing itself across the path of their advance
Is II TOO much 10 hope that today's cere-
mony and the awakening OF old memories
may bring Virginia to rededica;e itself TO
that cause of the States 20 which il sacri-
feed itself half-century ago?