The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-14
The Editorial Banquet nt the Ballard
House.

festo rescnan floG Sole"
1t is seldom that company Of more
elegant and refined gentlemen are assem-
bled together at n ore bountiful and in
vitiDg feast than were gathered on Thurs
day evening arour1d the board prepared by
those prlncely, generous, and hOspitable
gentlemen, Me 3srs. Ballard s. Sons. 1t was
an assemblar-e which, for dignity and in
telligence, might we'll make rs feel proud
of the editorial fraternity of Virginia.
Mr.. j ames A. Cowardin, Of the Dispatch,
was Called upon to preside over the fes-
tiyiGies, and DR.. Bagby, of the Native Vir-
genian, and George K. Barr, Esq, Of the
Abingdon Virg;nian, were called upon to
act. as presidents. There were other
than the representatives of the press
several distinguished invited guests pre-
sent. To the right Of the chairman
sat Hon. A. II. II. Stuart, to his left
Hon. J. B. Baldwin. Besides these
were at the table L. Q. Washington,
Esq, of the National Hlteltigencer; Colonel
F. K. Farrar, more familiarly known as
"Johnny Reb"; Zeph. Turner, Esq; and
Captain Jed. Hotchkiss, OF military re-
nown. The hosts Of tho occasion were OF
course present, and in their characteristic
manner distinguished themselves by the
gentlemanly consideration and attention
paid to their guests.
The company being fairly seated, they
commenced an attack uponthe good things
before them in q manner serious, though
by no means Incompatible with the dignity
of the company or the occasion. A
set of well-dressed, good-looking gen.
tlemcn; well-stocked board laid
out in spacious, well-appointed,
brilliantly lighted dining-roOm ard u
due number Of walters in full cos
tune, combined and placed in their ap-
propriate positions (as upon this occaslon) E,
compose a scene interesting and attrac-
tive, especially to one who participates
actively. The glad cOuntenances OF those
around, the warm and comfortable lustre
of the chandeliers shed upon the we'll
filled tables, the busy movements of those
important ministers to the occasion, the
rafting Of knives and forks, the
charming reports Of the Widow Clio
quot's artillery, the clinking of glasses,
the delicious aroma arising from the
viands, the pleasant ripping ga-loock
a-loock a-loock sort Of sound Of the
sparkling liquids as they pass from their
CLASSY confines to give warmth and cheer
to the heart, and the merry, ringing laugh,
are kindred sights and sounds that almost
ecstacise each of the human senses. Here
we had all Of these; and that there were
pleasant hearts to share and appreciate
this bunch of good things was abundantly
manifested.
The company being feasted reasonably,
the table was cleared Of things eatable,
preparations were made, and every one
was ready for the "tlow Of soul" and
cigars.
Toasts were next in order, and the SEN
timent "VIRGINIA was announced, with
Colonel Withers, Of the Lynchburg Ne'cS,
to reply.
The gentleman did so eloquently, and in
a manner appropriate to the glorious sub
iect of the toast.
To the sentiment, "The Union and the
Constitution" Mr.. Mcdonald, Of the Wing,
replied with ability.
Mr.. Glass, of the Lynchburg Republican,
responded to the sentiment, "Andrew
Johnson, President of the United States, "
in becoming manner.
Mr.. W. D. Coleman, of the Enquirer ana
Examiner, responded to the sentiment
"To the Women Of Firginia,'' most
gracefully.
L. Q. Washington, Esq, of the Nationa
Htelligencer, responded to "The Conserva-
tive Press of the North" worthily.
Besides these, there were many other
toasts, regular and volunteer; which were
responded to by. Messrs. Button, of the
Lynchburg Virginian; Wartman, of the
Harrisonburg Register W. Il. b. Lynn
Staunton Vindicator R. H. Mauzey, Spec
tator; Alexander CARRIER, Valley Vir9tnidn
P. Bouldin, Danville Times A. Anderson
Danville Register; J. w. Finks, Warrentor
Inder Cannon, Warrenton Sentinel; A
A. Little, Fredericksburg Neens r. W
Hunter, Winchester Times Sheets, Lees
burg Mirror; Houston, Fincastle Herald
Foster, Norfolk Day Book; Barr, Abing
dom Vrginion; DR.. Bagby, Nativs Virgi
nian Lyle, Christiansburg Southwest
Colonel Shields, Charles NJ. Smith, ant
William S. Gilman, Richmond Whig; AM
Cowardin, Sr., and Cowardin, Jr., of tn
Dispatch.
Messrs. Stuart, Baldwin, and Turner
were called upon, and responded wel
worthy their distinguished regulations an
positions.
Colonel Farrar also made few happ,
and humorous remarks.
Captain Hotchkiss, in response to tn
toast, "To the memory Of the Confede
] rate Dead" made beautiful and touch