Washington sentinel., 1856-02-07
/ Complimentary Dinner TO the Delegates
TO the Comm erciaI Convention.


The dinner given by the citizens of Rich
mond to the Delegates to the Southern and
Southwestern Commercial Convention, now in
session, came off last Friday afternoon at FIVE
o'clock, in the large and beautiful new hall
over the first market, and was, indeed, mag
nifcent affair, doing credit to the skill and
tastes of Mr. G. G. Thompson Of sour House,"
who served it by order of the Committee of
Arrangements. In looking over the five long
tables that stretched themselves from end to
end of the hall, we could see nothing needed,
either of substantials or delicacies, to be had
by sea or land at this season of the year, that
was not spread before the assembly in profu.
sion, and in the best order Each table was
handsomely decorated with fruit and candy
pyramids, presenting most tempting bait to
those who had gathered for physical as well
as mental feast.
| At halfpast four o'clock the delegates met
at the African Church on Broad street, and
were formed into line by Col. Thomas b. Big
ger, chief marshal, who, with the assistance Of
his aids, Messrs. G. w. Purcell and Thomas c.
Roberts, marched the procession up Broad
street to l3th down 18th to Main, and thence
to the place of dining, the Armory Band dis
coursing its best music to enliven the column
on its march.
The hall was decorated with the United
States flag and portrait of Gen. Washington
on the north end, and on the south by two
shields of stars and stripes on one of which
was inscribed the talsmanic word, "Lexing-
ton," and on the other Bunker Hill"
As soon as the procession arrived in the
hall, the delegates and invited guests, about
| three hundred in number, were seated, and
began an attack upon the superb repast before
them, VIM. 81. Macfarland, esq.,, acting as pre-
sident, and Messrs. FL. L. Kent James Lyons,
Joseph r. Anderson, Joseph Mayo, r. B. Hax-
ell, DR.. Archer, II. C. Cabel, aud W. d. Blair
acting as vice presidents.
Among the distinguished guests present, we
noticed Gov. Wise, Lieut.. Gov. McComas, and
Lieut. w. A. Webb, chief engineer w. W..
Woods, first assistant engineer, Edw. Fithian,
chief engineer, w. c. Wheeler, and third as
sstant engineer, G. w. City, of the United
States navy.
| When the dinner was over and the viands
removed, President Macfarland called to order,
and after announcing that he had duty to
perform-a duty Of courtesy, hospitality, and
kindness to the distinguished strangers pres
ent, each of whom he welcomed to the hospi-
talities of the metropolis of the Old Dominion,
he announced the following, as the FIRST regular
sentiment prepared by the committee for the
occasion:
"The Commercial Conuention.-Its high
aim, the elevation of the South to the proud
eminence due to her geographical advantages
Richmond greets the patriotic delegates with
cordial welcome. M,lsic-Hail Columbia.
General Tench Tilghman, of Maryland, the
President of the Convention, responded to this
sentiment, and spoke feelingly in behalf Of the
Union and the rights of the South. In con
cusion, he gave the following:
The union of the races and the Union o
the States-the one is indispensable to the
preservation of the other.
Vice President ii. L. Kent offered the Sc
cond regular toast as follows
The State Of Maryland.-W by the
same tides, famed by the same Winds warmed
by the same sun as Virginia, animated by one
spirit, may we still share together, when we
must, the triumphs of war-while we can, the
victories yet more renowned, of Peace
Music by the Armory Band.
Mr.. A. B. Hagner, of Maryland, was loudly
called for and responded. During his remark.
he was frequently interrupted by long applause
but the confusion in the hall was so great tha
we found it impossible to catch the thread o
, his remarks.
The President read the third sentiment thus
South Cdrolina.-Her successful gallantr,
in all our wars, her lofty sagacity and elo
quence have shed unfading honors on bel
name Music.
This sentiment was not responded to, there
being no delegate present from that State.
Mr.. Windham Robinson then read the fourth
toast:
The State Of North Carolina Conserva
tive but not tame, vigilaut but not factious
brave but not rash-her history attests thai
she knows alike hoD 10 ioda and phen to strike
Music.
Mr.. Edward G. Haywood, of North Carolina
was called out, and after conversatve and
well-timed address, which was greatly ap
plauded, gave;
Vrginia.-The mother of States and oi
Presidents-the guardian Of the rights Of
States and of the Federal Union, who by her
every act has always declared that the only
cord strong enough to bind her is the Federal
Constitution.
Mr.James Lyons read the fifth sentiment, as
follows:
The State Of Louisidna.--Fit emblem Of
Commerce-where theoland and the water the
ship, steamboat and railroad the seaboard
and mountain native and foreigner; Protest
ant and Catholic the North and the South,
mingling together reciprocaly bless and bene-
fit one another Music.
Mr.. J. B. DeBowe, of louisiana was called
for, and responded in forcible and Union
loving speech, which was most happily re-
ceived. He gave,
The South.-Strong in every element of
social, political or material powers, she has only
to be united to preserve and perpetuate the
rights which were won for her in "the times
that tried mems souls" by her sons, in the field
and the forum.
Mr. X. B. Haxall read the sixth sentiment
| prepared by the committees:
Icras.-The Lone Star beams brighter in
the constellation of States. Music.
General Thomas j. Green of Texas was
brought to his feet by this sentiment, and after
an amusing and instructive address of FIVE
minutes, in which he took strong grounds for
the South, gave,
If driven to q separation-tbe Southern Re.
publicl bounded on the North by the Mason
and Dixon's line, and on the South by the
lsthmus of Tehuantepec, including Cuba, and