Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-09
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER .. 1920.
The New ImlnorfaIs

c DEVIATION to Il permanent niche in the
II Hall OF Fame cannot add one whit to
his stature or render his Immortality more
immortal, yet Virginia is gratiflcd that still
another OF its sons, Patrick Henry, has
been recognized as worthy Of a place among
the great Americans whom the present gem
Grafton deems fit to have their names per-
petuated until time shall be no more. Tho
fiery patriot of the Revolution made his
own name immortal when, defying Britain,
he stood in Old st. Johns Church. and de-
claimed, Give me liberty or give me DEATH"
Those seven words will resound through
the ages, and will form tho cornerstone Of
free government when the Hall OF Fame
shall have been forgotten and perhaps even
Il new civilization shall have taken the
place of the one we now boast. Recogni-
lion of tho Virginia patriot by the electors
or the Hall Of Fame is somewhat belated.
Others less worthy have been accorded
their places, but now the error in judg-
ment has been repaired and the name Of
the Hanover rebel will add luster to those
other "immortals' who antedate him in the
place reserved for famous Americans.
Among the 'immoftals" achieving their
inches at this quinquennial is Samuel Lang
horne Clemens, mark Twain" Next to
Henry. his election Will receive the popular
approval. The work OF the kindly humor-
list and philosopher>s.kaa NOT yet withstood
the test Of time, his death having occurred
in recent years. but there is that in his
productions that has brought smiles to the
face of millions, and his fame is secure.
OF the other elections, those OF Roger vii
liams,and August ST. Gaudcns, will be popu-
larry approved. as will also those OF James
Buchanan i2ads, the bridge builder. and
William Thomas Green Morton, the physi-
clan. although the latter two are less known
generally. But their work was OF a high
order and they are justly entitled to the
posthumous honor that has boon bestowed
upon them. Just why Alice Freeman
Palmer was elected over other moro famous
women is not quite clear, despite tho fact
that che was the president OF Wellesley Col
iege and admittedly achieved a remarkable
work in the advancement of educational
standards. One would have expected Susan
u. Anthony at least to have been a formid-
able rival for the title OF Immortal"
Virginia and the South generally have
one regret over the result of the voting.
That regret is in the failure Of Commodore
Matthew Fontaine Maury to be accorded a
place. In the election Of 1916 he received
thirteen votes, and it had been hoped, rather
than expected, that u fuller understanding
Of his contribution to mankind, which has
been brought about during the intervening
years, would lead to his election at this
time. But the memory of the man who
charted the seas, who freely gave inesti-
mable scientific gifts to the world, and to-
day is known as one of Civilizations great
est benefactors, will be in no wise dimmed
because again he has been passed over.
Some day he will be included among the
simmortals," but not, perhaps, until GER
tain clinging prejudices, because of the val
liant part he played in the War Between
the States, have been wiped away.
ELL