Page:Confederate Veteran volume 14.djvu/405

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C^O!)federato l/etersi?.

VIRGINIANS FIRST DEFIED ENGLAND. An Interesting Historic Document Shows that Norfolk (Va.) Citizens Were Ahead of Philadelphians. The coming Jamestown Exposition brings to light many liistoric facts long since forgotten. While loath to leave the British Empire, the patriots of Norfolk, Va., were the first to resent the aggression of the British Stamp Act, which led to the American Revohition. Under the name of "The Sons of Liberty" Ihcy assembled in Norfolk on March 13, and in bold and determined phrases announced their intention of re- sisting any further aggression on the part of the English Par- liament. This was two months before llic promulgation of the celebrated Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and marly live before the thirleon colonies assembled in Philadel- phia to forever cast off the authority of the British crown and start the country on a career of prosperity and splendor which will be celebrated at the Jamestown Exposition, to be iuld at Hampton Roads, near Norfolk, in 1907. Extracts: "Having taken into consideration the evident tendency of that oppressive and unconstitutional act of Parliament com- monly called the Stamp Act, and being desirous that our sentimenis should be known to posterity and recollecting that we arc a part of the colony who first in General Assembly openly expressed their detestation to the said act, which is pregnant with ruin and productive of the most pernicious con- sequences, and unwilling to rivet shackles of slavery and op- pression on ourselves and millions yet unborn, hereby resolve: "I. That we acknowledge our lord and sovereign. King Cieorge the Third, to be our rightful and lawful king; and that we will at all tin-cs, to the utmost of our power and ability, support and defend his most sacred person, crown, and digmty ; and shall always be ready, when constitutionally called upon, to assist his Majesty with our lives and fortunes and to defend his just rights and prerogatives. "i. That we will by all lawful ways and means which Di- vine Providence has put into our hands defend ourselves in the full enjoyment of, and preserve inviolate to posterity, those inestimable privileges of all frceborn British subjects, of being taxed only by representatives of their own choosing, and of being tried by none but a jury of their peers; and that if we quietly submit to the execution of the said Stamp Act all our claims to civil liberty will be lost, and we will be de- prived of the invaluable privileges aforementioned. "3. That a committee be appointed who shall in such man- ner as they think proper go upon necessary business and make public the above resolutions, and that they correspond as they shall see occasion with the Associated Sons of and Friends to Liberty in the other British Colonies of America." .■s a result of the adoption of the resolutions Lord Dun- more, the British Colonial Governor, made a demonstration before Norfolk, and several shots were fired into the city from the frigate Liverpool. As a result of this and other outrages the Norfolk people were ready to throw otT all au- thority and join with the other colonies w-hen the Pbilndclpliia Declaration of Independence was promulgated. James Brooks is the author of an article in the Western Christian Advocate of May 24, 1906, on the Quantrell raid into Lawrence, Kans., during the war and the killing or mur- der of one hundred and sixty-five persons. The story is horrid beyond reason. .A "monument to the victims of the massacre" stands in the cemetery. All the business houses along the main street of the town save two were burned. The Veteran would like to have an aciunt as to the cause ol such butchery. There must have bet. 'e cause for the awful deeds in the murder of so many boys, .here was rob- bery of banks and individuals, the like of which occurred often during the war. but the horrible murders seem incredible. II OMAN'S DEPARTMENT, TENNESSEE FAIR. The revival of handicrafts in America and the great com- motion over adulterated foods has given the Tennessee State Fair Association an idea which we trust will be of benefit to our women. They have set aside the beautiful Cumberland Club exclusively for the women. The club is a splendid set- ting for the exhibits. Naturally the exhibits must be the best to be in keeping with the house. Every possible arrangement will be made for the comfort and convenience of women. The State Fair is more than ready to affiliate with the county fairs. What helps one helps both. There is to be no unfriendly rivalry. The desire of the State Fair is to make an especial exhibit along industrial lines — all sorts of food products, fruit, honey, wines, preserves, evaporated fruits, crystallized fruits, eggs, butter, cheese, sirup, flour, home- made soap, homemade vinegar, hand-woven coverlets, linens, rugs, carpets, blankets, sowing (plain and fancy), all sorts of woodwork, carving, bookbinding, designing, leather work, baskets, trays, and articles that really have a money value. There are hundreds of products going to waste that might be utilized. The same products put up attractively and put on the market would find a ready sale and become a source of revenue to women. We learn by interchanging ideas. Every effort will be made to make the Woman's Department of great practical use. Mrs. Katherine P. Wright. Belmont Place, Nashville, has been placed at the head and given a fine corps of assistants. Mrs. Benton McMillin has been elected Chairman of the Davidson County Committee, and through Mrs. McMillin, who is President of the Federated Clubs, Mrs. Wright will be able to reach the remotest parts of the State. Mrs. Wright is determined that every woman shall have a fair show. Since this Fair is planned on the order of the Centennial, it behooves every woman to take a personal interest in it and send her very best exhibit. The premium list comprises hun- drc'ds of articles. It will be sent on application to Mrs. Wright. Mrs. Wright is eagerly watching every opportunity to make a SUCCESS of her department. She will appoint a number of women Vice Presidents from the different counties to help her in the work of pushing the Woman's Department. Her idea is to have a genuinely helpful exhibit along industrial lines, something that will count for the women of Tennessee, especially those of the more isolated regions. The plan is to help people to make a living out of the products that are now going to waste. It is a great idea, and one that all women should applaud and stand by. Mrs. Wright is a wom- .-in of rare gifts and of an earnest appreciation of the realities of life. She is a most suitable woman for the place, and with lier at the head of this department the women of Tennessee are destined to see art as art really is. the true "glory of hand and soul combined." Every woman wdio has any • original work of her own hands or original ideas should correspond with Mrs. Wright, Belmont Circle, Nashville. Tenn. There is no suitable building for an art exhibit, and the Fair Association was organized too late to arrange for one. so it will be deferred until next year.