Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-25
THE TwEKTN SECOND IN PRILADEL.
PHIA-A vIPGyNys swuLITARY Com


i PHIA-A vIFGvSva swuLITARY Com
PANY.
\ The formal opening OF Independence Hail.
in Philadelphia, took place Oh The 22d instant
IL was an OCCASION VI much interest. An inn
mense crowd Was in attendance The Rich
mond (Virginia) Blues a military company,
who were on visit to the Grays Of Philadel-
pha were present. and attracted much atten-
tion The North american says
"The Virginians were introduced to his
Honor, the Mayor, by Captain Perry, of the
washington Grays, in few appropriate re-
marks, In the course of which, he said the
guests could not leave Philadelphia without
visiting this sacred spot, in which they claimed
a share as well as ourselves.
Mayor Conrad welcomed the Virginians
with his usual eloquence. He said that, on
behalf of the councils of Philadelphia and her
people, he extended them an earnest welcome
The citizens of Philadelphia regarded their
guests as brothers, who had right to claim
share in this hall of glory The pen of
Jefferson had inscribed upon the scroll Of the
Declaration the eternal truths, by the vndica
ton of which liberty was secured to us and
mankind In the struggle that succeeded that
declaration, when we were obliged to contend
with the strongest and the best disciplined
power of the world, the only contest between
the Virginia troops and the Pennsylvania line
was as to whose muster roll should be the
largest, and who should be foremost in facing
the enemy. Throughout the whole period Of
the revolution, Virginia and Pennsylvania we're
linked as brothers. If there could be two Key
stones to the arch Of the Union, Pennsylvania
would desire that'Virginia should share the
honor with her; and if there could be two
"Old Dominions,' he was confident that Vir-
gina would desire to place Pennsylvania by
her side. In conclusion, he welcomed the Vir-
ginans to the sacred edfice, and trusted that,
when they retired, they would bear away with
them q remembrance Of its glory.
Captain John Patton Of the Richmond Light
Infantry Blues, responded in a speech that
was frequently interrupted by applause. He
said, that after the kind reception the Vir-
ginans had experienced at the hands of the
citizen soldiery, the citizens and the govern
ment of Philadelphia, he felt that kindness be.
yond his power Of expression. He occupied
a novel and extraordinary position. lie was
surrounded by sacred objects, and he stood
upon what must be considered-if there is any
such in the world-as holy ground Here it
might be becoming that he should place his
hands upon his lips, and remove his shoes from
his feet. Still he felt it incumbent upon him
on behalf Of the Virginians to say, that the
kind feelings that they had met WITH were re-
turned with all their heart and soul For
long period foreign and domestic foes had been
endeavoring to disseminate distrust among the
several States OF this Union, and to some ex
tent they had succeeded. But such meetings
as these were calculated to do away with that
suspicious feeling. The Virgnians saw before
them kind faces, and they grasped warm and
cordial hands. 1t was found that we are more
than brothers-devoted to the same Union,
and worshipping at the same altar Such
meetings as these diffnsed a genial influence
among the people Of the States. II would not
then be said that this was simple visit-far
less an idle dissipation. If this visit did any
thing to promote kindly and brotherly feeling
among the States, it would be found to have
done great service. Once more he thanked
the Philadelphians, in behalf of the Richmond
Blues, and on behalf of all Virginia.
| AT the conclusion of this excellent speech.
the band played the stirring national air of
Hail Columbia, which resounded in the old
Hall with thrilling effect
The same paper says, elsewhere:
"The military display was but small and not
very creditable. There should have been a
| general turnout. However, the Washington
Grays, with their guests, the Richmond Blues,
presented fine and martial appearance. Tn
addition to these companies, which were fol.
| lowed by an immense crowd wherever thew
went, the Cadwalader Grays, Captain r. X.
Scott, paraded, with 81 muskets and a fine
band. They looked well, although the com
pany was small. The First Troop Of Cavalry,
under the command Of Colonel Chas. Thomson
Jones, paraded, and attracted much attention
in the upper wards Of the city; but they were
not seen farther down In the centre Of hustle
and excitement.
"The entertainment Of the Richmond Light
Infantry Blues formed one of the principle fea.
lures Of the day. In the morning escorted BY
the Washington Grays, they visited the Mint,
Paramount and Girard College-three Of our
| city's chief objects of interest. After dinner,
they were marched to Independence Square,
where they stacked arms and awaited the open.
ing OF the Hall of Independence at o'clock.
They we're formally received by his Honor the
Mayor, as elsewhere recorded, and then returned
to Independence Square. Thence they were
marched, attended By an immense crowd OF
admiring citizens, to their headquarters at the
Franklin House.
"The banquet given TO the Blues, at the Mer-
\ chants Hotel, was a magnificent affair. The
spacious dining-room was handsomely decor
ated with national flags. Three tables each sc
| rect III itHgth, crosseu ny one I'D 1ect IN length
at the head, we're laden with all that could
tempt the palate, and adorned in the most taste
fnl manner. The company comfortably filed
the large saloon.
captain Thomas NJ Parry presided The
following invited guests sat upon his right.-
Captain Jas. NJ. Patton, jr., Major General
Patterson, Commander Chas Stewart, Ex-
! Governor Bigler, Captain j. X. Findlay.
| Captain r. X. Scott, Jno. p. Verree, Morton
McMichael, and Cbas. Gilpin. On the left sat
Mayor Conrad, General Cadwalader, Com
mander X. L. Stockton, Colonel Jas. Page,
Captain z. Lyle, and Colonel John Swift The
sumptuous feast reflects great credit on the
gentleman who got il up, Mr. N'Kibbon. The
toasts and speeches were appropriate TO the
occasion, and the company did not dispense
until late honr.p
The Awards OF the Mixed Comm ission.
The New York fbst states That the late