Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-12
By Mrs. Henry winn sodlcr.


recent visitor to Richmond. n
distinguished Londoner here to study
Thomas Jefferson in the institutions
OF our democracy. when told that
Woodrow Wilson had affirmed the
ideas Of George Mason. OF Virginia.
az the basic principles OF his admin
istration. cnndidly replied that he
had never heard of the man. counsel
Washington and characterized by
jefferson as the wisest man OF his
generation.
Pcrhaps rot only the sojourncr In
Virginia. asks tho question today
This may be partly due TO his native
nodeBty. his refusal OF public office.
incomplete records OF those early
proceedings OF Virginia in which he
took so prominent a part. or even a
destruction OF private papers In a
family nle but flied with knowledge
and understanding az he WAS, acting
Rs Il mentor In the making of the
republic. * has been difficult to meas
ure his genius. and the historians are
slow To speak abroad that wisdom
which God hath put into his heart
Many Great Men Prrsent.
On Monday. May 6. 1875. the little
and beetlrred Itself to great task.
Within Its confines the night before
had slept such men az Thomas Lud-
well Lee. pcyton Randolph. Patrick
Henry and Edmund Pcud!eton. and
arriving that day and through the
week we're others who should alt to-
Ecther for long and solemn delikera-
ton in a convention TINT would write
pages In the history of the world.
The hood tide had come. Norfolk
burnt. Boston evacuated and
Dunmore soon to go. The call for
freedom must go forth. and Virginia,
: line, had gathered there her sons into
whose hands she had committed the
ordering OF the new day.
Old Eagle Tavern was overrun
with men OF much learning and much
wealth, patriots and statesmen all OF
them. Beautiful women had followed
their lords and sires to bc on hand
for tho great events. Tho country
side WINS Wild with excitement. and
when the "Resolutlon instructing the
Virginia delegates in Congress to
propose to that respectable body to
declare the United Colonies free and
Independent" was passed by this con-
vention then assembling. and was
the rejoicing heard throughout the
land.
PLACED on Committee.
Liberty would come. they knew:
freedom was In the air. But how
waa II 10 be defined? And into
whose hands was II TO be committed?
After FIRST di.solvinG Itself AS the last
body OF the House OF BurGesses, this
convention proceeded TO its regular
business. Committees were named.
the most important of which was
chosen 10 prepare BIZ Of rights,
md also plan OF government. James
Madison. arriving late. was pu, on
this committee az was also George
Mason. who did not appear until the
twelfth Hay Of the convention. Put
ting aside III. offer OF n seat In Com
gress. he addressed himself immcdi-
r,cly to the duties TO he found at his
hand.
We can imagine with what salts
faction the members OF the commit
tee saw him take his seat this tall.
dark. not overtalkative NirEinian.
with the clear and piercing eye. born
q gentleman. and bred man for the
task now opening before him In the
fullncss Of the strength OF his fifty
years. he had brought with him. TO
al knowledge OF hooks and docu-
menfs and men: he had brought the
wisdom Of much counsclling. CLEANED
In the "Halcyou Days" under the
hospitaole roof OF his neighbor at
Mount Vernon; but above all he had
brought n philosophic mind, and an
Intensive patriotic spirit. made ready
by experience In the actual service
of his county and State.
Gunston, Hall Favoritc Spot.
Recently recovered from smart
attack OF the govt, and burdencd with
care of brood o! mothcrless chill
dren. left behind, we find him at the
end. perhaps. of two-day journey
through the dust and mud Of the
Virginia roads keen for the contest.
Around him in the hall were men
= who had known the charm Of his
young and beautiful wife. and had
shared in tho joys OF Guns,on Hall.
Mrs. i. e.. WII,HOTII