Easley presented the
resolution honoring the memory of Dr. Freeman which is as follows:
"On Saturday, June 13, Dr. Douglas Southall Freeman died at his
Richmond home of a heart attack. Thus ended a career unexcelled in this
state in the field of letters and intellectual leadership.
"His death came as a shock which was felt by numerous
organizations as well as countless individuals whose lives are affected
by the loss of a truly great and patriotic citizen.
"The Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation records his death with a
peculiar sadness and feeling of loss. The small group who in 1944
conceived the idea of inaugurating this movement conferred with Dr.
Freeman and he immediately told us that the objects contemplated were
worthy of accomplishment, that he effort should be made and that he
would personally join with us and give all the assistance he could.
"He faithfully carried out all he promised and at many crucial
periods of the history of this effort he gave encouragement and aid.
"No historian was more conscious of Henry's inaccurate and even
false presentation in current histories and in a speech in New York and
again in Richmond he referred to this fact. In his address in St. John's
Church in Richmond on June 7, 1949, he said: "Henry was the
transcendent figure of the Revolutionary period in Virginia. There were
many other great men, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason
and others, but over and above all of these stood Patrick Henry, in
influence and power. No one could compete with him, and military matters
aside, it could almost be said of him that the history of Virginia in
that period was a biography of Patrick Henry.
"It became our duty to bring to our people the truth of this
statement, and taking the inspiration from our departed friend and
guide, let us press on in the accomplishment of the purposes set forth
in our chapter.
"We, the trustees of Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation, do
hereby express our great sorrow at the death of Dr. Douglas Southall
Freeman and pay tribute to his great contribution to the intellectual
and historical assets of his native state of Virginia and join with
hosts of others who have suffered a great loss.
"Be it therefore resolved, that a copy of this resolution be
spread upon the minutes of this meeting and a copy forwarded to the
family of Dr. Freeman."
