The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-07
The Banquet Observation-Disclosures

The Banquet Observation-Disclosures.
The banquet given by the Richmond
Cbamberof Commerce was one of the most
genial and brilliant festive occasions that
ever occurred in this city. 1t gathered sig
nlncaucc AMI consequence from the Circum-
stances that attached to it. The guests Of
the evening were mainly representatives of
northern citics-gentlemen of great intelli-
eence, experience, and practical sense, and
OF course more or less liberal and compre-
hensire in their views and sentiments. They
were selected from local bodies composed of
prominent business men, and at their own
expense iourneyed from home to this place
to deliberate upon matters of national con-
cern. chiefly relating to commerce and trade,
in which they had only such interest as that
which was general to the country. They
assembled here at time altogether pecu-
lar-jpst after disastrous civil war, while
Virginia is deprived of political equality
with the States, and while the harmony and
reciprocal relations of the sections of the
Union are slowly being reGstablished under
many incidents which tend to impede them.
The assembling, therefore, of such gen.
llemen in the city of Richmond, the centre
of the forces of resistance to the Govern
meut in the late war, as guests Of the
people of Richmond, was q matter Of un-
common interest, and one which could not
fail to have its influence upon the course OF
events.
AS the temper and expressions OF the oc-
casion were of the most liberal and concili-
atory character, that influence must be
highly salutary and beneficial. In both the
circumstances and the character Of the ban
quet we must consider it one Of the most
notable and happy public dinners that have
taken place in this country.
Virginia was conSequentiallyt the most pro-
minent figure in the minds eye, as she was
evidently the most warmly. cherished by all
present if we take the language of the occa-
sion as indicating the affections that dwelt
in the hearts of the speakers. But the feel
ings uttered and policy espoused generally
were Of the broadest and most comprehep.
slve character-embracing the whole Union,
deploring sectional jealousies, and eXecra-
ting all narrow views and personal ambi-
tions which were hostile to the immediate
and complete political restoration Of the
Union and the establishment of entire har.
mony throughout the land. Mr.. CHITTES-
DEN, Of New York, uttered briefly the pre-
vailing sentiment when he said that there
was not o man, woman, or child, in the
North, or not man who deserved the
name Of man, and was not monster, who
did not desire the immediate restoration
Of Virginia to the Union.
The speeches were remarkable for good
taste, fine humor, excellent wit, and, above
all, the noble impulses of patriotism. The
gem of the evening was the polished speech
Of Dir. ROPES in response to the toast to
Boston. His language was felieitous and
his ideas classic. The national and kindly
sentiments Of the evening were imbued with
bright fame by his glowing spirit. One OF
the most appropriate points in his speech
was the introduction Of the good old fable
Of the wind and the man, wherein the fl-
rious blast only makes the man draw tighte,
about him the cloak which the bright sun
that followed made him throw away. This
he compared 10 the unciyil and dogmatical
assaults OF bigotry upon the habits, scntl.
ments, and psejadices, il you will, of men,
ana thus made them all the more to cling to
impulses which they may nevertheless