Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-05-15
TEXT OF PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
AT WILLIAMSBURG CELEBRATION


mund Pendleton, who had opposed the
stamp act resolution Of Patrick Henry.
but II years and the wanton cruelty
Of the royal governor had made a
great change in the public opinion OF
the Colony and he had become q loyal
supporter Of independence. He now
Joined with Patrick Henry and Mert-
wether Smith in drafting resolutions
to be proposed by Thomas Nelson,
which refer to our country as Amer
ica,' and after setting out the griev.
ances that it had endured and appeal
ing to the Searcher of Hearts for the
sincerity of former declarations and
discussion in which Mason and Madi-
son. to be known to future fame, TOOK
part, on the 18th of May, 1776, II was
Resolved unanimously, That the
delegates appointed to represent this
Colony in General Congress be IN
structed to propose to that respectable
body to declare the United Colonies
free and independent States. absoiVeo
from all allegiance to, or dependence
upon, the crown or Parliament OF
Great Britain, and that they give the
assent of this Colony to such declara-
ton and to whatever measures may
be thought proper and necessary by
the Congress for forming foreign all
ances, and a confederation Of the Colo
MES at such time and in the manner
as to them shall seem best: Provided,
that the power of forming govern
ment for, and the regulation OF the IN
ternal concerns of each Colony, be le1t
to respective colonial legislatures.
Resolved unanimously, That
committee be appointed to prepare
declaration of rights, and such a plan
of government as will be most likely
to maintain peace and order in TINS
Colony and secure substantial ana
equal liberty to the people.
THE import of these resolutions was
we'll understood in this locality. The
event was marked that evening by
celebration, the ringing of bells and
the firing of guns The British nag
went down at the Statehouse never TO
rise again. and in its place was flown
the crosses and stripes, the temporary
emblem of new government.
Virginia Sets Example.
These resolutions coming by the
action of the duly constituted repre-
sentatives Of the largest of the Colo.
MES were of an Importance that can
not be described as anything less than
decisive in the movement Tor lnde-
pendence. Other localities held the
same opinions, but this action Of the
Old Dominion was needed to make
Henry Lee now had the assurance of
the support of his constituents. On
the 9TH of June he moved the Con-
gress-
THAT these United States are and
of right ought to be free and indie
pendent States; that they are absolved
from all allegiance to the British
crown and that all political connection
between them and the state of Great
Britain is and ought to be totally dis
solved; that it is eXpedient forthwith
to take the most effectual measures
for forming foreign alliances; that
plan of confederation be prepared and
transmitted to the respective Colonies
for their consideration and approba-
ton
This motion was at once seconded
by John Adams of Massachusetts. In
this great crisis the Pilgrim and the
Cavalier stood side by side united in
the common cause of human liberty
under constitutional law.
THE excellence of the official docu.
ments of the Revolutionary period
has often been remarked. 1t was such
as to draw praise from the foremost
British statesmen. In that respect
the Virginia resolution of May Is left
little to be desired. They are char
acteriZed by most admirable re-
straint, clear and logical in their pre-
sentation of facts. and clothed in ap.
propriate language. They have a dig
nifty and strength that are compelling
and a courage and reserve that are
They were composed by
no ordinary men. Such a document
could only be produced by character
and culture. The influences which
had flowed from the S0-odd years OF
existence of William and Mary Col
lege can not be separated from the
form and substance Of these resolu-
lions. Into their making went all that
was best of some of her most dis
tinguished sons.
Influence Of Colleges.
What purpose had planted these
institutions Of learning in the Ameri.
can wilderness? What raised UP
Harvard, that it might become the
teacher of Otis and Hancock and the
Adamses? What nourished William
and Mary, that it might furnish in.
spiration to Bland, to Wythe, to
Nelson and to Jefferson? These two
seminaries had a common benefactor
in the famous Robert Boyle. And
when the wanton ravages of war re.
duced this once f1ourishing institution
that had spoken so boldly in the cause
of liberty to state that left little
but the vibrant tones of the college
bell and the fervent prayers OF a de.
vout President. it was distinguished
son of Harvard, Senator Hoar. who
pleaded her just cause with such elo-
quence in the Halls of Congress that
a dilatory Government at last made
restitution for a part of the damage
done, that this seat of learning might
be restored to take its active place
again as a citadel of truth and liberty
and righteousness. No one can con-
template these events without deep
realization that those who participated
in them were guided by an inspired
vision.
"It has not been the experience of
history that political Ideals spring into
full development all at once. They
are the process of the discipline of a
long and severe training and constant
and continued study. The Virginia
resolutions in the fewest possible
words map out a course OF action and
lay down the fundamental principles
by which America has since sought
to guide and direct its political life.
The members of the convention, how
ever, would not have argued that they
were embarking upon new theory of
political relationship with so much
assurance as they would have con-.
tended that they were adapting well.
established theories of constitutional
law to their own condition.
'They declared for complete indie.
pendence. They abjured both the
crown and the Parliament Of Great
Britain. Much emphasis has been
placed on our political independence.
It has become one Of our most funda-
mental traditions Of government, and
rightly so. In our domestic affairs
our sovereignty rises to its most com,