Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-01-19
GEN. MORGAN AT THEOApIToI.


! On Monday, the 1Ith, in response to inyi
tations, Gen. John IL. Morgan visited the two
/ Houses OF the General Assembly of Virginia
where he received an enthusiastic Virginia well
| come. Accompanied by committee of the Sen
ate, the Genera. entered that body at ] O'Clock
Z. NJ, whe:e be vas received by Lt. Gov. Price
as follows.
| General ii Morgan--I take the pleasure in dis
| charging the outy assigned me by the Senate Of
rendering you hearty welcome to the sold
Dominion" and particularly to the Legislative
Hall.
Since you embarked in the struggle for Inde-
pendence yon have passed through many varied
scenes, in none of which did you fail to be an OBJ
ject of anxious solicitude with our people
Your eallantry and courage in the field attract
ed the highest admiration and when you were
captured by the ruthless foe and led to prison
like convicted criminal, the hearts of our peo-
pie guShed to you and followed you to your cell.
These feelings and sentiments were uot confined
to few, but were participated in by all classes,
without regard to sex or condition.
When you go again to the war struggle, as 1
understand you intend to do, you will carry with
you the best wishes of our people for your sue
cess and happiness. They will rejoice with you
in your successes and mourn with you in your
reyerses.
Gen. NJ organ briefly returned his thanks for
the courtesy extended to him, after which he
was introduced to the members of the Senate and
the large crowd who had assembled to get view
of the distinguished chieftain. After an hour
thus spent in the Senate, Gen. Morgan, accompa-
MED by the committee of the House, and leaa-
ing upon the arm of its chairman, Mr.. Richard
son Of Mercer, entered the hall of the House of
Delegates, when Mr.. Richardson addressed the
Speaker in substance
Mr.. Speaker-I introduce toyou, and through
you to the House, John II. Morgan. The an
of the name is passport to every
Southern heart, and to the cordial greeting of
every son of this ancient commonwealth.
The Speaker, Mr.. Sheffey, then rose and ad
dressed the General in the following eloquent
and appropriate remarks
GENERAL;
In the name of these represen-
tatives of great Commonwealth, 1 welcome You
to this hall.
Hundreds of hearts beat around you in ardent
sympathy with your knghtly adventures, sur
pas ing those ofromance, your heroic achiev-
ments, and your glorious sutferlngs. And as you
now almost hear and feel their warm and strong
pulsations, thrilling your every emotion, be as
sured that you are the centre OF great circle OF
blended sympathy, admiration, and good will,
which, as it swels and undulates, shall pass over
this entire State and as the wave beats against
the banks of the Ohio and the borders of Pennsyl-
vana, the sentiment of this scene shall be borne
even to our enemies---the burden still shall be,
ssHonor to the brave man whom a coward foe
sought in vain to dishonor!'
Virginia loves and admlreS the CElvalrIc and
heroic wherever found; and on this occasion she
assumes mothers privilege, now that Ken
tucky sits in the desolation of widowed sorrow
il opening her arms and taking to her heart the
brave son of her elder daughter, and laying her
hands on his brow, as stainless in chivairous
honor as before the badge of infamy was attempt
ed to be placed on it, gives her maternal appro-
val and invokes GoD's blessing upon him!
1t is my faith, General, and I believe it is
yours, that the white winged angels of prayer,
springing from the sacred circle of your own
family and from the hearts of thousands in
land, gathered around and safely conveyed you
through the perils you have recently escaped
and now the anxiety and suspense being over,
and being grateful to God for the dellverance,
we take long breath Of reliefas we realize that
"McGregor treads his own heather again. that
the lion hearted chieftain is free oncemore, free
to draw his tried steel and mount his faithful
steed---free to throw his batte-fag to the breeze
and at the sound of his buglc blast to gather a
round HIM the clans OF brave men to strike once
more for liberty and home- to strike on until
the whole land be redeemed aye, until the glo-
rious old ssBloody Ground'' shall cease to mourn
in humiliation and sorrow, bat shall rise and
put on the beautiful robes of honor and free
dom.
| And, General, as your bright sword is seen
hereafter flashing, and your banner waving in
the forefront of the battle, no prayers for your
safety shall be warmer, no hearts shall beat
quicker, eyes grow brighter, as victory lights
upon your banner, than those Of Virgnians.
Again, General, give you cordial welcome
to this Hall.
At the conclusion of the Speakers remarks,
Gen. NJ. modestly bowed, and rturned his
thanks to the members of the House for the
kindness received at their hands.
|