Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-09-13
From the Richmond ENQUIRER.
COMMERCIAL FESTIVAL.

From the Richmond Enquirer
COMMERCIAL FESTIVAL.
After the adjournment ofthe Mercantile Convention
on Wednesday, the merchants of this city then assem-
bed, together with the representatives Of the CONNER
cial interests in the adjacent cities and towns repaired
to Stewards factory, TO partake OF sumptuous repast
prepared especially in honor of the visiting merchants
to Richmond. AT alf-pastfo o'clock The company
| took their seats, Col. Thos. II. Ellis of Richmond
presiding at the request of Mr.. Webb who had pre-
| vously been elected President of the meeting
! The following gentlemen acted Vice Presidents
and Managers:
James Lyons, Ro. q; Scott, Joseph Mayo, John S.
redith Willingham, Hugh W Fry, James c. Crane
Horace l.. Kent, j. II. Gardner, Daniel H. London
Isaac Davenport, Henry G. CabeII, Benz. richardson
Jas b. Ferguson, Charles S. Morgan. VIM, W
Crump, Poaux Robinson, Jas. Dunlop.
Col. Thos. H. Ellis, pres ding officer, opened the
festival with the following remarks:
"GENrLEMEN-At the request OF Mr. Webb, have
undertaken 10 relieve him from the arduous duty of
presiding on this occasion. Although dfident with
regard to the honor thus conferred upon me, shall en-
deavor, as lar as my humble abilities will allow, 10
discharge faithfully he duties which have thus unex-
pected!y devoived upon me. In the name OF The
chants, mechanics manufacturers, and Others of the
| city OF Richmond, welcome you, gentlemen, the re-
representatives. OF sister cities and towns 10 this plain
repast. The duty Of congratulaton is pleasant one
and trust that the welcome which we now eX end TO
| cur mercantile brethren who have assembled here from
different portions OF the State will be received as is
tendered-as an expression OF the and most
cordial feelings towards them from the denzens OF the
city OF Richmond. loud applause.l
The conclusion OF the pertinent address by the pre-
siding officer was the signal for commencement upon
the entcng banquet prepared Tor the OCCASION and az
ter vigorous display OF gasronomc feats-we in
dicaiive OF commercial movements OF more welghy
and Substantial characteristic cloth yed, and
the President read the following regular toass, which
were received with enthusiastic applause:
! l. Virginia Her mighty resources, discovery of
modern times. Let her future be Illustrated by wise
system OF schools internal improvements and liberal
contribution to direct ard uusilacke CT foreign
merce. TMusic-"Oh carry me back to Cd Virgin
Iny."l
q Our Railroads and Canals: These exist only by
| the contributions OF commelce Drecfness and tree
dom OF the one, give vlgor power aud prosperity TO the
others Music" Kate Kearny."J
| 3. Agriculture and Commerce: The chief sources
of national wea tn. The one the haudmaid of the OH
er. IHusc-"A life on the ocean wave."l
"a. Commercial Independence: Until it be established,
our freedom Is not secured. Nusc-'Hail Column
bal
s Gov James C. Jones of Tennessee: Like him
who turns the sword INFO n rloughshare he chalen
| our admiration by converting he weapons OF polluted
strife into the mpements Tor successful prosecution
of internal Improvements. LMusic-"H Hail to the
Chef."l
In response to the last regular toast Gov, Jones rose
| and said
Mr.. PRESIDENT: thank God that I have lived to
see tn, day. will not attempt, gentlemen, express
tne feeling with which the sentiment just uttered has
inspired meas we all know there are sentiments and
feelings beyond expression. Applause.l What am
IL The answer is, stranger in The midst OF strangers
A stranger who is now and has been receiving warm
testimonials NJ your kindTess and hospitality. tGreat
applause Yes. am recipient OF your boun.
| teous, generous cd Virginia hospitality. dttnewei
applause) There those ia this world and they are
here-who are upon the mighty march OF immortality
| the Immortality OF name. All OF US are Struggling
i to build monuments to ourselves; some In commercial
lite; some IN the pursuits OF agriculture ana soine IN
the estimation OF others, engaged IN the igher ana
more brilliant, and yet, my opinion, Tar more d5s-
perate game of political hazard (Applause) Some
seek to monuments upon feds OF batte 10 acheVe
dali 81 nj
the dignity and energy OF man: but in these mighty
conflicts and struggles, how few there that attain
the prize for which they are striving! The remem-
byapce Of friends passes away When this festive
board shall have been dissolved |, who now am an in
vied guest, will pass away from your remembrance
(Cries Of no! no from all parts of the hall) Men
NAV forget The events of this day. but Heaven forbid
that It's results shall end with this festive occasion -
The bold and daring spirit, who nscrbes this name
high upon some lofty pyramid, is called reckless adj
venturer, and with his dece ase his orgoen but
he who writes his upon the gratitude of naton'a
love has enduring fame living tor which the gods
might in vain contend (Great applause.) He who writes
names that lives alter -ah must inscrbe it deep upon
the foundation ovrtua and patriotism Great applausel
For one, would rather attempt 10 erect for myself
monument that would give bread to The poor, clothing
to the Naked and succor to the dlsconsolae and dis
tressed, than attempt by all the achieve
ments and the most brilliant victories that Napoleon
| ever dared to make. Loud applause When have
sunk into my last repose, and am gathered to my la
TIERS desire other remembrance, no other monu-
ment than that of having been instrumental in eevat
ing the industry and labor OF my country Give me no
monument OF towering heigh--hat belongs TO the rich
ana the prosperous-but give monument humble
and insignificant may be, cemened by the tear OF the
widow and the orphan, reared by the benetclaiIes OF
the love OF a benevolent heart. Great applause! -
Away with your bloody trophies The sword aud the
spear; let them rust in their easements Let me build
airoads canals, schoolhouses and manufacturing
tablishmens and take all your trophies OF away.
Loud applause. 1t the model the Heaven. sent.
the God-inspired Washington, that looked al thinss
through their right medium. He looked to the accom-
plishment OF good for his His aim was Americas
final prosperity lGreat applause To the young mea
who here present, and who must soon occupy the
places of the venerable and time honored men who now
occupy the theatre OF action | would say
stranger you, and yet who has much OF
the world, be not discouraged in your efforts to benefit
mankind. Press forward, and remember TINS Impor-
ant lesson, which may be gathered from the history
OF Washington, and every efficient aborer tor the
country's good, that
Honor and shame from no condition rise,
Act well your part, there all the homer lies. APP
pIause.
Do not be guided in your action by motives spring.
ing from thirst Tor fame, desire to seize iha
popular phantom of public applause. II, gentlemen,
you would live alter you die-a strange paradox, but
rue-contribute the happiness of Others, to the Ia
erests and prosperity OF your fellow CITIZENS and your
country, undivided and unchanged. [Creat applause
God bless you; and may the last days OF Virginia be-
more glorious and lustrious than were her first ICON
nued applause.I
Gov. Jones took his amid loud cheering. A
cheer called for and given Justify.
[Musc-German Cottage.
Volunteer toasts followed. r,
Mr. London proposed the health OF Judge Field OF
Mississippi.
Mr.. Field replied: He thanked The meeting for the
honor conferred upon him He had only to say that