Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-26
THE INAUGURATION DINNER.

Speeches on The Occasion, Scenes Sc.
The Inauguration dinner which came of a; the
new Custom Houss, Monday evening, was most
brilliant affair. The tables were on the first floor
and were very prettily set. Behind the seat of the
presiding officer we're two American Aaga, f.ibeed
with jets Of gas, and in the centre Of the ceiling was
mammoth FIVE pointed star in gas light.
The dinner gotten mp in grand style, under
the auspices OF Alex. Duva proprietor Of the Anne.
rioan Hotel, aided oy that we'll known caterer Cbas
Thompson About O'Clock the GUESTS BEGAN en.
tering, and in few moments the ball was filled
Among the distinguished strangers present were Hon.
I'D. Everett, Governor Newell Of n. j., Governor
bingham Of Michigan, Governor Hollee Of Connect;
cut, Senator jas. NJ. Mason OF Virginia, Capt Ma
grud-r OF the Navy, Generals Hsrnsy and P.rsifer
+. Smith OF ;he Army, ard many Others.
lha compS3y sst down 20 diuner about half.past 6
O'Clock, the invited gies,s occupying sb!o set apart
for then IL the most conspicuous part OF the hail.
notwithstanding the Disadvantages wLioh the pre-.
seuce of 90 large nuIn:rr Of pe.eJLs en:aied upon
fhs hotel keeper, the dinner we'll gotten up and
the arrangements otherwise very complete. Tber.
was no Inconvenience. felt, large az was the mum.
Der present. IRe eystem and plan adopted pre-.
vented dso!der as there WAS regular pian of the
room with seats allotted 10 all.
At the conclusion of the dinner. Lieut. Go-erac.
WIN l. JACKSON, arose and after an apology Cor the
absence OF Governor WISE, (who was unable TO at
teDd frcm indispostou.) no proceeded TO -ead the
regular tcssts which were repeated al the other ia
bles by the Secretaries las they were sty!eGl JoHx
BLAIR HoGE, Esq, Of Berkeley, and A. A. CHAP.
Man, E-q., OF Monroe
The Are. toas, was
""AsHikeroH-Hs decked no. himself with
Majesty std EIceliency. and ye; ;ts worc arrays
him in glory and beauty"
The second was
and Virtue and WisdoD, for the world to study ard
initiate
lie third was
"ihos Crawfnrd-the spirit and life he gave to his
etatues ensure 10 him glory and Immortality
This fourth toast being read as follows:
"VirgiIla, her great men and great principes-.
themes with which future Crawiords NAV enrich
tbeir marble and brnpze''-
II Tho Hon. JAMES NJ. MASON, United States Senator,
was loudly called and RI spondet IS iolIows:
Mr.. PREslDEsT, ana you my fellow citizens of Vr.
ginia. We might have supposed after the rich treat
We all enjoyed IN the proracted ceremonins of the
day, that we had epeaking enough tor one day iu
Richmond; but it has been your pleasure to decide
otherwise. can have no option but to attempt what
know l cannot no, respond 10 q toast intended TO
commemorate the great men and the great princi.
pies of our glorious Commonwealth.
My countrymen, II Is true, were great men In Vir-
ginis-the greatest of whom caps that monument
now in bronze; and what galaxy OF great men sur
round him at the pedestal of that monument, men
who promulgated in their day the great principles of
Virginia. JefereoD, 80 truly called the "Apos,s of
Liberty" Oh tnls continent. Marsball, greater than
was seen IN his age; Henry, the orator, who drew
the inspiration OF his genius from Heaven. And
you called upon me, slr TO respond to the toast in
homer of those who had something 10 do with the
great principles of Virginia. may say tnat George
Mason, whom you have honor-d by assigning a
place the monument was not among the least dis.
inguished and least worthy amoDg those great men.
Yes, fellow. .citzeue, in the accomplishment of that
great work which we are here to day, to celebrate,
Virginia has brought Washington back TO Virginia
[Applause. His fame had filled The world, as you
we're justly told by your President. His fame hes
filled the world, and DOW his ashes repose in honor.
ed dignity ct Noun; Vernon, the home that be loved
and the home where he died. We have brought the
memory of Washington back in bronze, and placed
it on that pedestal ths: 'he SONS of Virginia in all
future ages may have Washington present before
them. [Applause.l
And now. ny countrymen, but a very few words in
regard to those principles 10 which referred in the
outset. What are these great principles of Virginia.
great men7 will tell you what i understand them
to be: devotion to Republican Liberty. Zap.
plause) Republican Liberty, as e1pounded 5y those
men, and handed down 10 US to bs preserved. Zap
plauss.) One Of those men whose monume mt gracss
that pedestal, was the pioneer upon this continent
whose duty it aud who fulfilled it by his own un
aided intellect 10 give TO Virginia her bill! of rights
to let the world know what Republican Liberty was
lApplausel AID he did mere. now speak OF that
hOnored name historically for be passed into history
before | came upon this world. can speak of him,
therefore, historically. Tne bill of rights which was
intended TO announce that great principle of civil
liberty In Repubcansn, he gave US in constitutional
form, TO ensure il in oar system of government
Then there was Jefferson; not ,hs author of our In
dependence, but the author Of that which proclaimed
1t TO the world-sn Independents proclaimed from