Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-10-29

ascended the graduated slope of SAockoe Fy;li.
nothing could be finer than the view from
oefoie' and from a6ore. They acted and reacted
on each other. To Gen. La Fdyefte and the
eis.,us uished strangers that accompanied him
IN the procession, nothing could be finer than
the coup Toeit of the scene of Shockoe Hill.
w here lO years ago (when he last saw it) forest
covered The SOIL, there now extended the regular
streets OF City and those heights which were
then oSergrown with bushes, now rose un,n his
view, crowned with the majestic pillars of tho
CaPtot, the attic symmetry and elegance of the
Ctty Hdff, and numerous private ediiices beau.
u'uiiy situated and tastefully built the whole
enlivened and graced by moving proups off both
sexes and all ages, waiting first to see him pass.
anu afterwards to greet him with joyful welcome
on the hill. To those assembled on the hephts
particularly the host that covered the square
the view OF the procession below, as it SLOWLY
moved up f street, was in itsefstriking and at
tractIVc, but rendered still more so BY the illus
f,7oos fndtc'duat & other interesting pcrsonaees
tlat composed 1t. To spectator on the sum.
mt OF the CITY Hall, whose eve might embrace
the whole surrounding scene, or anv mart or Il
at will, the tOut-easemJte was rich diversified.
SPLENDID and magnificent, beyond any thing
that was ever before seen in Virginia. Itnme-
diateiy I'M front, stood the imposing mass of the
Capitol, the noblest structure ever raised in tla
ancient dominion; around its base extended on
all sides the wide enclosure forming the square.
finely diversified by variety of level, but having
an ample smooth area above, beautifully dccora-
ted with gothic and circular arches, obehsks.
tents, marques, &c in the midst of which, Sc
verai thousand ladies and gentlemen were
seen straylng, while they waited the arri-
val OF the grand procession, which was al
a distance observed winding its varieratod
tram up f. street, and then down III street.
TIL at last 1t reached the pile on which the spec
tator stood. Here the procession stopped, the
iliustrious Guest descended from his baroucbe
and advanced in the midst of gencral silence and
order into the grand Circular Hall, whose newly
erected and very tasteful gallery was already
crowded with as much of beauty and fashion as
could be compacted into it. The space below
was now filled IN an instant; and the Mayor of
the city pronounced, in presence of a eazino
and listening multitude, the following address.
In approaching Gen. LA FAYETrE, the uni
ted corporate bodies of the City of Richmond.
salute fellow citizen ofVirginia and brother
by adoption one, whom we have never ceased
to love for his exalted virtues, to admire, for his
great military skill and talents, and 10 yeneraie
with Overlooking gratitude for the exercise of
that skill and those talents in defence of the
lives aud fortunes Of our fathers, when assailed
by devouring enemy.
n brother In whose noble efforts in support of
the cause of rational liberty in his native conn
try, we greatly rejoiced, and i'm whose general
prosperity and happiness we have and still feel
the most anxious solicitude.
by these endearing ties we welcome the re,
turn to our city Of our friend and benefactor,
after an absence of forty years and by a feel
ing not less connected with our warmest affec
tons, we make him twice welcome as the adon.
ted son and confidential friend of our much
loved and illustrious WASHINGTON
In the choice of such qualifications as might be
most acceptable to Gen. La FAYErTE, or which
might do most honor TO our own feelings, we
could Imagine none more promising of success
than the presence of his former companions in
arms, 60 that Band of Brothers." by whose tolls,
prlvatIons and mighty efforts, the fair fabric of
this republican governmenthas been reared. and
will we trust forever stand, on the firm basis of
virtue, on which it was erected.
These veteran worthless, regardless ofdistance
age and infirmity, have cheerfully obeyed the cali
to meet their much loved General; they are as
sembled, and await his coming with the most ar
dent affection and with the most Youthful i'm
patience. In obedience to their anxious wish
es, we should not cause longer separation
but let us detain our Guest for a moment longer
by offering the entreaty in the name of the citi-
Zens of Richmond, whom we have the honor TO
on this august occasion, that he will
not hasten his departure from our CITY and that
ne viii favour us with his company as long as
may be consistent with his other engagements
General La Fayetfe listened with fixed atten-
ton, and countenance in which sensibility and
modesty were finely blended, to the MAYORS adj
dress and replied to il in terms expressive of his
feelings In relation 10 the city and lis inhabitants
He then proceeded to the central gate of the
square, and passing under the principal arch
(Which was ornamented with inscriptions and
surnounted with golden eagle of large size,
bearing on ITS bosom labels enumeratng the va
rious battles III which La Fayette had distin-
guIShed himself, he stopped in front of the qua
structure of Gothic arches and heard
with deep and evident emotion the following ex-
pressive address delivered by Chief Justice
.1uarStaH:
General The surviving officers of our Revo |
lutlonary Army, who are inhabitants of the |
state OF Virginia, welcome you to her metropo-
lis with feelings which your own heart will best
tell you how to estimate. We have been the
more gratihed by the offering of respect and af-
iectlon from whole people, spontaneously flow
ing from sincere gratitude for inestimable SER |
wees, and deep sense of your worth, because-I
we believe that to mind like yours, they will
compensate for the privations you sustain, and |
the hazards and fatigues you have encountered
IN Revising our country. So long as Amcri-
cans remember that noble struggle which drew
you first to their shores, that deep gloom which
DVershadowed their cause when you embraced |
u, they cannot forget the prompt, the generous,
The gallant, and the important part YOU took in
the conflict
The history Of your eventful life attests the
sublime motive which enlisted you on the side of
a people contendiug for liberty; but we love to |
1elIeye that feelings of softer and more en- |
tearing character were soon MINGLED will, d., q