The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-01
LrScHBUnc, December 80, 1867.

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LYScHBUnG, December 80, 1867.
The Christmas holidays are well-nigh
over. The weather, for the most part,
has been damp, misty, marky. Our streets
are horrible in rainy weather-worse when
il SHOWS, and still worse when it sleets,
and bad enough at the best.
Messrs-~ Editors, were you ever in
l take it for granted ye have
been. Did you ever see city just like 1t,
or ANYTHING like it? Well may it be called
the aain City" for it is city set on hills.
There is scarcely residence off Of Main
or Church streets from the door of which
YOU can walk d hundred yards in any d.
rection that will not take you up hill, or
down a hill, or along the side Of hill.
But I was speaking Of the holidays. The
negroes and the soldiers had a clever
little fight on Christmas day. 1t was
hard to say who got the best or
the worst Of it. Everything considered,
the day passed of quietly. kclso, the
negro member in the bones and banjo !"
Convention from Lynchburg, appeared on
the streets with his kid gloves and new
broadcloth suit. The darkies gathered
about him, and listened to his sage talk as
though the uttcranceS Of an Oracle were
falling on their cars. Kelso is very much
stuck up since he went 10 Richmond. His
associate in. the Convention from Lynch
burg, known in this community, for some
reason. under the name and title Of V1otet
Williamson. has not shown himself upto the
time of this present writing on the streets.
There are some shrewd gucSses afoat, sug-
gested BY the coy and nervous movements
of the Jorine species, that he is somewhere
in the vicinage of Lynchburg. Possibec
he is so intensely engaged in tra'ell sup
forthcoming Constitution, AZ diem, as not
ported by his eight doHEGcs is not urged by
to allow the tiimhGunger to devote himself
the pinchIlrS5f dairyman or butcher. Oh!is
10 tn % shameful that such men as kelso and
Williamson should occupy seats in con-
vention called for the purpose OF forming
a Constitution for the dear old Common
wealth Of Virginia?
An occasion OF more than ordinary lnte-
rest is to come of in Lynchburg on New
Years day. a worthy citizen, well known
in commercial circles, and for many years
q prominent merchant in our city, no"
more than sevcnty-fre years OF age, IS
going to give q dinner to the Octogen0raGnS
of Lynchburg, embracing also in his invi-
tations al of the old gentlemen of the city
over seventy-five. A few perhaps little
under this age, for special reasons, will be
included. In the list of guests the follow
ing are named, with several besides whose
names arc not now rcmcmbered-vlz., the
venerable Bishop Early, Mr.. McDaniel
;given name not rcmemberecl, MI. Edley,
p. Matthews 1.-THE gentleman who gives the
entertainmentl, Dr.. Owens, MIR. fretweiI,
Major James Garland, Mr.. Meem "a spe-
cial guest, Mr.. Taylor, Mr.. Mcdonnell, &c.
A reporter will be admitted to this circle
of fathers, and have q scat at the festive
board. What privilege it is sometimes TO
be reporter! Everybody in our commu-
nifty will be on the lookout on Thursday
morning for the Vi1Yi11ian. 1t may be that
moro than one reporter will be honored
with q seat at this unique New Years tes-
tival. 1t is all the talk at present. How
many of these venerable gentlemen will
see another New Years day? All, we sim
ccrcly hope; for no community can BOAST
of a more valuable, energetic, useful, ana
nobler class Of Old Virginia gentlemen than
this same city of Lynchburg.
1t is dull season Of the year for busl-
ness. Merchants complain that the past
wear, more on account Of q heavy decline
in goods than from want OF sales, mas
paid nothing. 4 few commission mer-
chants have done living business. MANU-
tacturcrs of tobacco have generally saved
themselves, and few, perhaps, have made
money, But everybody is looking VITA
doubt and distrust to the future.
Provisions are sufficiently abundant, and
offered at prices not TO DC complained OF !;
and still there are many families in want
of the neceSsaries of life. 1t Is sad thing
to see the little children that are daily upon
the streets begging for widowed mothers
and HELPLESS, hungry families at home.
The farmers in the surrounding country
find it difficult, indeed, almost impossible,
to engage laborers for another year. The
negroes arc SO occupied with politics, and
elections, and constitutions, and conven-
lions, that they have no time Or disposition
to work. The only corrective of this evil
il starvation and this is inevitable to thou
sands of these deludcd, misguided crea-
lures if the present excitement continues
amongst them.
Yesterday Sunday was damp, disa-
greeable day, but the churches were well
attended, with the pastors all i'll their pull
pits. except heN. MI. JuuhlnS, WHO Is aD-
sent from the city. As night came on, the
mercury fell towards the freezing point,
and this morning the earth was found
blanketed with snow. As the day passes,
the snow continues to fall, with tho pro-
mise Of fine sleighing for the young folk
and glorious sliding for the little boys down
our hills. But that which furnishes occa-
sion of JOY and sport for the young and gay,
who have their furs and fuel, thcir NUTS
and mullins, is the occasion of sadness,
sorrow, and suffering 70 the poor widows
and orphan children who are huddled to-
gether around brcad!esS boards and cheer
less hearthstoneS in the huts and novels
among the hills Skirting our city.
The waning year is near its close. With
its bruises and blessings, its joys and its
sorrows, its attractions Of hope, and de-
spondency, it will soon be numbered with
the past. Hope, that springs ever in the
human breast, with its fairy finger points
to happier and more prosperous future.
May the, fortunes Of the oncoming year, as
dispensed by the Great Giver of all coed
exceed the expectations of the most hope
full, is the earnest wish and prayer of your
correspondent, SIGMA.