Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-05-15
GOV. BYRD PRAISES
COOLIDGE TRAITS
Virginia Executive Says Pres
ident Has Peoples
Approval.
BY a staff Correspondent.

BY STAFF Correspondent
WILLIAMSBURG. Va, May Is
While eXtolling the courage and
patriotism of those men of Virginia
who were responsible for the adoption
of the resolution declaring for indie
pendenCe from British control, a
tribute was paid to Calvin Coolidge by
Harry Flood Byrd. Governor of Vir-
cinia. presiding officer of the cere-
monies held in Williamsburg toda--
Gov. Byrd declared that the Presi.
dents of the United States have rev.
erenced God. lived good lives and dedi.
Gated their talents and their strength
unreservedly to the service of their
country. Turning to the President.
who was sitting nearby on the plat
form, the speaker said that of this
line of public service President Cool.
idge worthily is ONE
President Coolidge has the respect
of all American citizens in his own
right of high character and capacity
Gov. Byrd added THE people like
his quiet efficiency. his dignity. his
com.eon sense and his accustomed
poise. AS Governor of Virginia ]
welcome him to historic Williamsburg
and assure him that we appreciate
the honor of his presence and the
compliment he has paid Virginia in
coming here"
States History Recalled.
The address made by the Virginia
executive was devoted principally TO
a review of the colonial history of
the State. of the acts leading up to
the adoption of the independence res
olutions by the Virginia convention,
praise for those men of the America
Colonies who made freedom possible.
and a welcome to the thousands Of
persons who had come to Williams.
burg today to join in this celebration.
Gov. Byrd reminded his large audi
ence that $50 years ago today in
this city 1l2 members of the colonial
convention highly resolved that Vir-
Ginia renowned her allegiance TO the
British flag, and before sunset the
familiar flag of the mother country
was lowered and furled forever in
this old capital of Virginia, and the
resolutions penned by Edmond Pen
deton. president of the convention.
were sent on their long journey over
narrow trails and rough roads to the
Continental Congress, then meeting in
Philadelphia.
He then described how these reso-
buttons were subsequently brought be-
fore the Continental Congress by
Richard Henry Lee. one of Virginia S
Representatives, and how they soon
afterward resulted in the adoption of
the Declaration of Independence on
July d. He stated that the Virginia
convention was the first colonial body
in this country actually to direct its
delegates to the Continental Congress
to propose that the United Colonies
he declared free and independent
States, absolved from all allegiance
to or dependence on the crown or
Parliament of Great Britain.
Exciting Events Described.
He then described briefly the excit-
ing incidents following Nirginia's &C.
ton. The governor recalled that Brit
ish troops had burned Norfolk Ave
months before and George Washing
ton was straining the strength of his
spirit to make effective the Army Of In
dependence: the royal government had
proclaimed these men rebels. and there
were many among the. patriots of the
State who said the Virginia resolu-
tons bordered on treason, and specu.
lated on what might be the result II
the colonies failed in their attempt at
liberty. He said that these men. while
recognizing the seriousness of this
step, We're not men to take counsel Of
their fears.
The Virginia governor declared that
Nirginians today have reason to feel
proud of what their State. as colony.
did in 1875. He said it's boldness and
courage displayed in these resolutions
served as an inspiration to the other
eager colonies.
I'm the meantime" Gov. Byrd said
the Virginia convention dealt with
the second resolutions, proposing that
a committee adopt the declaration Of
rights and a plan Of government for
Virginia. George Mason's bill of
rights was adopted June Ian adop-
ton that will be celebrated here on
the 18th of next month. In recogni-
ton of the influence of the Williams
burg resolutions in fastening Ameri-
can independence, the Virginia AS
sembly provided for this celebration"
Where Patrick Henry Spoke.
Gov. Byrd then turned to the his
tory of Williamsburg and its en-
virons, pointing out that the first
settlement of English in America, at
jamestown, was only six miles dis
tant. and recalled that it was there,
IL years later, that the first legiS
lative assembly to be held on Amer
lean soil was assembled He re-
called that the capital was moved
in 1859 from jamestown TO Williams
burg, and that while the Capitol
building was in the course of con-
struction Sir Christopher Wren Hall
of William and Mary's College was
the accustomed meeting place of the
Virginia House Of Burgesses that
1T was in the old colonial Capitol
building that Patrick Henry spoke
In favor of his resolutions denying
the right of Parliament to levy taxes
on Virginia. This speech was known
as the Caesar Brutus' speech Gov
Byrd told how Thomas jefferson,
then a young law student. stood in
the doorway of the building and
heard Patrick Henry crate on this
occasion, and it is the general be-
lief that that speech confirmed JEFF
ferson's determination to devote his
life to Virginia and American lib
erty.
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