The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-01-03
TEE CONVENTION OF EDIT0Rs-BAL-
LARD's DINNER.

UOTb Vi LuO DtdIo WcIO CdiiCu bOSOIuCi,
was, to decide upon common line of
policy in regard to the defeat of the
Constitution, which the Mongrel Con-
vention is about to thrust upon u.s.
Some papers favored action and organ
izstion, others the reverse. To harmo-
nixe these conflicting views and to
avert the dangers of divided counsels,
the Editorial Convention was called
But tie object of the call was attained
when the Conservative Convention de-
clared in favor of organization and en-
ersctic action; and this admission was
promptly made soon after the pleasant
party Of gentlemen assembled in the
coy parlor which had been assigned
than in. B allard's Hotel. The policy of
the Conservative ConventiA was fully
and cordially endorsed, and with this
endorsstion the labors of the. Editorial
Convention might well have been
brought to close.
Bnt there were matters of business,
which certain members Of the press, par
tleularly from the Valley, desires to
bring before the Convention, in order
that they might have the counsel of OIL
der and perhaps wiser heads. 1t chan
ced, however, that these matters were
set forth in resolution of q somewhat
humorous character. The result was
running fire Of jokes and repartees,
which we're kept up asque ad nduseam
ard until the Convention had well nigh
eegenerated into an exceedingly tire
some farce. At this juncture, Colonel
Withers, who had been deta!ned at the
Grand Lodge, came in; and his efforts,
seconded ably by Mr.. Button, arrested
the torrent of frivolity and brought the
Convention, as itTwere,.to its senses
A few moments of serious discussion
sufficed to restore order and harmony,
and the session ended in the nomina-
ton by the Chair (Mr. Kelly of Fred
ericksburg, who performed his arduous
task with admirable patience and good
humor) of Committee who were
charged with the duty of framing the
Constitution and Bylaws Of An asSo-
citation to be called the Associated Press
Of Virginia. 1t is hoped, rather than
expected, that this Committee will re-
port at an early day.
Business over, pleasure succeeded
The editors and their invited guests
Stuart and Baldwin of Augusta, and
Turnerof Rappahannock Capt. Hotch-
kiss came in later) --were ushered by our
smiling host, the Prince of Landlords,
John p. Ballard, into the commodious
and brilliantly lighted dining room, in
the centre of which large table, res
plsndent with glass and plate and
grooming beneath its weight of tempt
ing substantials and delicacies, seemed
almost audibly to invite the goodly
company to sit down and fall to with
hearty good will. This accordingly,
they did, but not withouJ many MUIR
rured tributes of admiration to ''mine
host" for the tasteful manner in which
this really superb dinner was served
the work, it is understood of his own
hands; for the rest of his household be-
being busy with the mighty throng of
visitors, he took the preparation and
arrangement Of the dinner exclusively
upon himself.
The removal of tho soup was the sig
nal FOR the opening of champagne, and
from that moment, the pleasant artil-
lery Of popping corks continued, with
scarcely perceptiblc abatement or in
Permission throughout the evening, the
stream of hilarity deepening, broaden
ing aud Frightening as the winged
hours few on. 1t was indeed, an ele-
CANT entertainment.
There were thirteen regular toasts
and innumerable other toasts-all re-
piled to and generally well replied to.
There were speeches from the invited
guests, good speeches too; but the
speech Of Mr.. Stuart was above the
feeting occasion and ought by all means
to have been reportedin full. 1t was
replete with sense and sound advice to
ell classes, but especially to the negroes.
Capt. Hotchkiss, taken completely by
surprise and without moments prep
GRAFTON, made = capital little speech,
parts Of which were truly eloquent.
We missed some faces from that GENT
al board. Haynes was not there, Alex.
and Gregory were wanting. |
Nobody from Clarksville or from Salem |
was there. Of course st. Clair could |
not leave that blessed cylinder press,
which he rescued from the ashes and |
the incessantly loquaciously. Perry was
doubtless afraid to venture there, lest
having once begun, he might never
cease talking. p. II. Aylett was in
Vited but could not come. 1t was a
great and almost inexcusable oversight
not to have invited Kelley. From him
Ind from Jas, Barren Hope, who ought
% have been Vice President, we would
rave heard speeches worth listening to.
Nevertheless, it was charming din
Ter. Il
The event Of the evening" next in i'm
,ortance to the dinner itself; was the
Irst appearance in public of the sons of
Or. Ballard, who are associated with
i'm in the conduct of the hotel. These ,
Dung gentlemen were formally intro I
uced to the company, were duly toas-
ed and-following the example of their
very brief and modest re-