Volume 15 , Issue 2

100 Years Ago Today - 14 January 1913

One hundred years ago today, 14 January 1913, in The Times Dispatch, out of Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday, 14 January 1913, we find the front page article, Virginia Gives Eighth Chief," which mentions Colony gave fourth Kingdom to empire, and State now gives Eighth president to Nation, electors greet Marshall as descendant of Virginians.

The article goes on to state, "Governor Woodrow Wilson, Trenton, N.J. En day Virginia octavum. The Virginia Electoral college. -- In this manner did the men who cast the vote of this State notify Governor Wilson yesterday that Virginia gives to the nation the eighth President. For, being translated, the Phrase means Behold! now Virginia gives the eighth." When the electors had voted at noon Judge R. T. W. Duke, the chairman suggested a telegram to Governor Wilson. All agreed, and Judge Duke had an idea already in his mind.

The Colony of Virginia remained loyal to the Stuart family during the war that resulted in putting Oliver Cromwell at the head of the British empire and cost Charles I his head. When Charles II, was restored to the throne, after the death of Cromwell, he felt very grateful to the colony across the sea; so he decided to present to it a coat of arms.

In those days there were four kingdoms in the empire, England, Scotland, Ireland and France, which was claimed as part for many years. So, to dignify Virginia, Charles gave it this motto: "En dat Virginia quint am" -- "Behold! now Virginia gives the fifth" -- meaning, of course, fifth kingdom.

Virginia had given to the country eight Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler and Wilson. So Judge Duke thought it would be well to paraphrase the motto on the Colonial coast of arms and let Wilson have it. So it went. The following was sent to Vice-President elect Marshall: "Thomas R. Marshall, Indianapolis, Ind.: The State of your ancestors salutes you as the Vice-President-elect. -- The Virginia Electoral College."

Thirteen Who Elected Wilson On 13th

On page nine of The Times Dispatch we find a photo of the thirteen Virginia electors met at noon in the courtroom of the State Corporation Commission, at the Capitol, and cast twelve votes for Woodrow Wilson for president and for Thomas R. Marshall for Vice-president.

Judge R. T. W. Duke was elected chairman of the electors, and James M. Hayes, Jr., chief clerk to secretary of the Commonwealth B. O. James, was made secretary.

Robert A. Hutcheson, of PRince William, and preston W. Campbell, of Washington, the electors chosen for the Eigth and Ninth Congressional Districts, failed to appear. John W. Williams, of Giles, clerk of the House of Delegates, was elected to act for Mr. Hutcheson, and Professor J. P. McCounell, of Emory, president-elect of the States Normal and Industrial School for Women at Bedford, was chosen to cast the vote of Mr. Campbell.

The electors took the oath of office, and proceeded todo their part in the election of Wilson and Marshall.

James M. Hayes, Jr., was elected messenger to carry the vote to Washington for delivery to the President of the United States Senate, which duty he would perform within the next few days.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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