Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-27

N| the Nation but within a short
drive of the District of Columbia
more real history of the country can be UNI
covered than perhaps at any other given point
in the United States. Indeed if We wish to 60
TO the very beginning of substantial American
civic and national hiStory-where the founda-
ton of the greatest republic on earth was
Iaid-one must travel to the Southland and
see the wonderful ShrineS and MONIES OF the
founders of colonial Virginia.
To attempt to take from Massachusetts, and
the other original States Of the Union any OF
their just proportions Of credit IN founding
this republic of ours would, Of course, be futile,
impossible and in decidedly bad taste, but
when we seek the real cradle Of freedom, we
must look for 1t in the home State OF Ge9rge
Washington, George Mason, Patrick Henry,
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James
Monroe and host Of other noted distinguished
and celebrated Virginians of the revolutionary
and personal---very. period.
reference at any time to the deeds Of the
noted men Of the Old Dominion Is but In
keeping with a patriotic devotion we should
all have for those whose sacr1f1ces MADE
American independence and liberty possible,
and especially at this time is word or two
regarding some of the States high lights in
history to be appreciated, when the Govern
ment itself Is planning to celebrate In and
around the Capital of the Nation the 2OOth
anniversary of the birth OF that greatest OF all
Virginians-and Americans-George Washing
ton said by another great Virgin1an-Ma1.
Gen. Henry Lee, father of Robert E. Lee-to
have been first in war, first in peace and
first in the hearts Of his countrymen"
washington Is very close to Virginia-by
ties of blood and friendship, and geographical
ly separated only by the high-water mark OF
the noble Potomac River, several miles OF Whcn
are within the original 10 miles square Thou
sands of our Federal workers, and others en-
ployed In Washington, live just across the
bridge in the State responsible for so many
Presidents, and no large meeting or entertain
ment would be complete, either IN virginia OK
in the District Of Columbia, without there De-
ing present O considerable representation OF
visitors from one of these places.
MO person who has not visited this part OF
the country-even though he be ever so
wen read-can form any complete idea OF what
this vicinity offers in the way OF American
history, from the settlement Of jamestown In
1907 on through the centuries down 10 the
present day. But in view Of the fact that the
bicentennial will have for its object the celeora.
ton of the 2OOth anniversary Of the birth OF
1.-THE Father Of His Country" naturally every
thing Of a historic character will be subordinate
ed to those events which transpired nearby
and in which he acted part, or with which he
was in some way closely associated, as well as
his home his home life, his religious and Ma
sonic activities, and Of course his devoted asso-
ciates and neighbors.
OF the last mentioned none was more con-
spicuous or valuable to the American cause than
George Mason, who lived at Gunston Han, puG
q few miles to the south Of Mount Vernon, an0
who even q month before the first Continental
CONGRESS met was drawing his Fairfax County
resolves, which were Endorsed and signed by the
''Freeholders and Inhabitants" Of that county
ON July 18 1T74. II 1t is true that the pen -
mightier than the sword, then one must con-
cede very high place to George Mason, Tor ms