Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-09-15
Dinner 10 Hon. VIM. &. Isives at
Charlottesville Va.


the dinner 10 Mr.. Rives, at Charlottesville on
Saturday last. Notwithstanding the nclem
ency of the weather during the morning and
preceding day, the occasion attended by
some one hundred and twenty persons. The
banquet was sumptuous, and the whole affair
. passed off in the most agreeable manner. Hap
py and appropriate remarks were elected from
many others on the occasion, but want OF space
iorbids our giving insertion to any but the
leading and patriotic speech of the honored
Guest. After the third regular toast
The President arose, and Bfer asking rs
pecial attention to the next sentiment, which
he was about to read, said that he felt fully
assured that every word in IL would meet With
most cordial response in In" breast OF every
gentleman present. The sentiment was one in
which every ncighbor aud friend of the dlstin.
guished Guest would heartily unlte-it did but
Justice 10 distinguished statesman and wor
worthy gentleman:
4. Our honored Guest--Willism c. Ri, es
tho vr,uous citizen. the accomplished scho
lar, the profound and patriotic statesman
while the country may proudly point TO him as
one Of her brightest ornaments, we assemble
os his counrymen and ncighbors TO bid him
",oclcome lame with all our hearts. Pro-
longed cheers.
Mr. Rves arose and said he knew mol how
TO express suitably his Acknowledgements for
the honor that was done him by this social and
festive meeting. md by the hearty manner in
which the ila'terlng toast just offered had been
received When, continued he, after an alb
sence OF four wears, land -four ercnt/w years
may saw in the service ofthe country abroad,
returned to my native land my mind vas IA
turally filed with warm and thrilling artcipa
tons Of joyful meeting with old friends, and
companions and ncshbors. longed to give
10 each one of them the cordal grasp OF iel
lowship, and to receive from them in return
the same token OF fratornul remembrance. AL
this luxury OF the heart have freely enjoyed.
Wherever have been, whomsoevcr ! have
met. the eloquent kndlng of the eye, the YIN
pathetic tones of the voice, which never msin.
iorprct the feelings of the heart, have given me
the gratifying assurance that | was welcome
back to the faithful affections Of my friends and
countrymen. This Was al that could have
a right 10 expect--all that | hcped FOR or
wished. But you, gentlemen, in the gcneros
ity Of your hearts have Judged otherwise, and
wished to give me public testimony oF your
kindness consideration aud esteem, and to do
30 without distinction oil party.
can only say 10 you, gentlemen hat the
honor you have thus done inc. Is Appreciated
as it ought 10 be. II is appreciated us pro-
ceedIng from gontlomen hOno,ed themselves
for their intcisencoaand virtue and patriotism.
some of whom have been tho witnesses. and
the prcsento ccason atiesls, the partial and in
dulgent witnesses OF my manner Of life from
my youth up Until now, willie those " no have
not had opportunities equally extended of per
sonal observation, show themselves no less
kindly and ~ eral in their judgement. Nor
can forget, gentlemen. that you who unite in
this tribute of kindness TO me 10 day. were the
countrymcn and neishbors of Jefferson Mudi
son and Monree-habituated to the daily con
temptation Of their patriotic and lllustrious
lives, trained in the school of their hig h exam
pie, and imbucd with the living energy Of their
public principles and maxims. Those great
men were so identified with all that surrounds
them here, that they seem yet TO live i'll the
midst Of US for so long Monticello shall lift
its serene frot' to the skies or the CLASSIC domes
and porticos df the University shall mark the
abode Of science and learning in Virginia, their
spirits will hover around, and still find a dwell
ing place on earth.
Much has been said or written as to the ma.
ture OF the sentiment which binds us 10 our
native land. Many have treated it a species
of instinct, implanted even in the breasts of an
finals, Independent ofand superior to the force
of reason. j know not how this may be, or
what may havebeen the experience of others,
but for myself, have never been in foreign
country without feeling my heart yearn more
and more towards the land OF my nativity and
like the captive israelies hen they hung their
harps upon their willows, | have felt How
shall we sing the Lords song in a strange
land" and with them have been ready to ex
claim-"If forget thee, o, Jerusalem let my
right hand forget her cunning.
return to you, then, gentlemen be assured
none the less patriot and Virginia patriot
for having been abroad On the contrary,
return. loving my State and counlry,ifit were
possible to do SO, more than ever, for having
seen how blcst her lot is above the other ma