The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-19

would pay more than Richmond millers,
with the advantage of the added cost of
transportation from Richmond to northern
ports in favor of the latter, they could not
expect to stop wheat here.
The subject of internal improvement and
freigbts was discussed at come length, very
much to the qualification Of all present.
Colonel Cabell being called on, added to the
interest of the subject by briefly alluding
to the magnitude and the national impor-
tance of our main lines connecting the
Chesapeake with the Ohio. He paid q high
and deserved compliment to the perse-
verance and fortitude of the Richmond
merchants, so nobly exhibited in the man
ner in which they had struggled to emerge
from the heavy weight of calamity which
the concluding catastrophe Of the war threw
upon them. Regarding Mr.. Purcell as q
type of those devoted and unfagging citi-
zens, he called upon him to respond, which
Mr.. Purcell did in few we'll. conceived re-
marks, comparing the dark night of mistor-
tune which had rested upon his colleagues
in commerce with that "dreary night" on
which Tam O'Shanter sat out for home from
Aver. -.
/, The whole company ran the gauntlet OF
toasting and speaking, very much to the
gratif cation of each other, end very much
to their own relief when they got through.
Mr.. s. B. Smith, cashier, was brought to
his feet, responding happily, but too briefly.
Mr.. Brown, Of the house of VIM. B. Jones
& Co., was brought out to respond TO toast
to his absent partner, now seeking the
restoration Of his health by travel ria the
West Indies to the south Of Europe. The
expressions towards this gentleman were
very warm and sympathetic. MIR. Mon
tague, president Of the Planters Savings
Bank, was also dragooned by the merciless
President and brought to his feet. He was
pithy and brief. Mr.. Saunders, called
out, made few practical remarks, Incl
.dentally alluding to the bank and its admi-
rable management.
Messrs. Charles U. Williams, Charles E.
Workman, Rosenbaum, Richard L. Brown,
and J. A. CoWardin, were also brought into
the ring, and responded briefly. Mr..
Cowardin, alluding to the prospects of the
improvement system and the general inte-
rests of the State, spoke Of the stimulus
they would receive upon the restoration of
the people of Virginia to equality with the
citizens Of the States represented in tho
Congress the complete restoration Of
peace and the /" era Of good feeling" The
occasion afforded moral that should have
its effect. Here were southern men honor
ing one who in war was their enemy-a
man who, after the war, had brought his
means here, and by his liberality and in
genuous conduct had not only erased all
prejudice against him, but had established
for himself q sentiment Of warm esteem in
hundreds of breasts.
The war We have recently passed through
was fought on principle. 1t was the culmi-
nation of strife which began in the con-
vention which framed the American Consti-
tuition, and which had imperilled the Union
at several cpochs but, providentially, by an
appeal to national devotion, it had passed
through those pcrils. 1t had survived them
without q resort to arms when, had that last
resort been forced upon the Government, it
was not strong enough to put down resist
ancc. Thus had the period Of open and
warlikc hcssilities been postponed until the
Government had the power to defend itself
and prevent permanent dissolution of the
Union.
The people of the South were defeated.
They frankly and sincerely succumbed,
| and acknowledged their obligations to the
Constitution and laws of the Union. Of
Virginia he could say, what might no doubt
| be said Of ether southern States, that the
people recognized the Government of the
Union as theirs, and felt it to be duty
with respect alike to the injunctions of
policy, Law, morality, and religion, to do all
they could 10 promote its justice, honor,
and glory. This was the sentiment of Vlr-
ginia. 1t might be said TO be passive. 1t
was without the atmosphere of freedom 20
give il life and activity. 1t had no means
Of action. The duty of the Government
was to breathe into this high and just gen.
timent the Promethean fire of freedom and
equality. The people in this State, who
were as true and faithful as any within the
broad limits of the Union, should he placed
on a footing OF equality with the people OF
other States, so that in the coup.ry's de-
fence they might stand as equals of all
othcrs-not denuded Of their immunities
az citizens, while those Of other States were
clad in ell that we're guaranteed by the
Constitution. This was the true policy OF
the Government. 1t should revive the ma
tional attachments of the South, and at
tract the sympathies and hearty support of
her people. The day was coming when
this would be especially necessary. 1t was
as important that the era Of good feeling
should be revived for the prosperity of the
Union now as it was for its protection in the
perils of other days. Judging from the
temper and expressions of General Grant,
the speaker said there was good reason to
hope that he would shape the policy Of his
administration with q view to this grand
object.
Messrs. Brown, Cabell, and Burr, warmly
seconded these views. The subject of con-
versation turning upon that marvel Of a
city Chicago, Mr.. Cowardin stated that
its growth was without parallel. He
called attention to the supply of water for
| Chicago as an illustration of the enter
prise of its people. Good, pure water was
the greatest necessity of large commu
nifty within o small area, and Chicago had
the finest and most bountjful supply of any
| of the cities in the world. 1t was never
failing, unlimited in quantity, and so pure
as nos to be suspected. 1t came from the
middle Of Lake Michigan, and every citi-
zen of the town enjoyed as pure water as
any country gentleman With a fountain of
cool, living water gushing from the earth
near his door.
Mr.. Brown expressed his qualification at
the allusion to the city about to become his
home. 1t was, indeed, marvel Only some
forty years old, with upwards Of 800, 600
inhabitants; the largest grain market, the
largest lumber market, and the largest cat
tic market in the world. Ten thousand new
houses were built there last year.
MIR. Brown expressed his qualification
that there would ere long be direct line
of 70 a;lrond atuean Chicano and Richmnnd