Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-06-09
CORDIAL RECEPTION AND DID
ENTERTAINMENTA AT GREEESRORO'
Eloquent and Patriotic Speeches OF Hon.
A. A. Hopkins. of New YORK, and
Ex-Gov. ZebuIOn B. Vance,
OF North Carolina.
GREENSBORO, N. c., May 81, 1871.

Inc excursion party OF n Oft0erQ eQltOfS
en- route hither yesterday, in response to
the Invitation Of the Mayor and Common
Council Of the town. were met at Reds
vile by committee of reception, consist
ing of His Honor, Mayor Sloan, and
Messrs Albright, Bals!ey Bogart and Col
lins, of the Council.
The following named gentlemen, con-
stituting the committee of entertainment,
also took the train at Reidsville, and were
presented il turn to the members of the
excursion party, viz: Messrs. J. J. Scales,
B. J. Gretter. @. J. Yates, j. Ii. Gilmer,
VIM. L. Scott and Hon. R. p. Dick. The
train arrived at the depot at 1 As p. m.-
On the platform Of the station the Mayor
introduced Mr.. 2. F. Dnffey, of the
Greensboro Patriot, who addressed to
his brethren of the craft some very hand
some
WORDS OF WELCOME.
To this address Mr.. Parker, vice presi-
dent CT the excursion party, and Hon. Mr..
Selkreg responded in the happiest manner.
One very interesting feature of the scene
which ensued, after the formal speeches
were made, was the crowding in of the
farmers on all sides to shake hands with
the " Yankees" I have never witnessed
an oc 'asion Of exactly this kind before, but
certainly on no other occasion have I ever
seen a more spontaneous and generous
oUTBURsT OF TIE POPULAR HEART.
The party went mp the street headed by
the band, and were shown to apartments
in the Benbow House. AS I am press d
with more important details, [ shall have
to pass over the minor events of the day.
Ex-Governor Zebulon B. Vance was
among the guests at the Hotel, and the
excursionists were presented to him in
turn. The entertainme in all it's features
was perfect The interesting feature of
the day was the after-dinner speeches.
Thatsof Mr.. N. Il. Hotchkiss, the leader
of the party, was characteristic, that is 10
say, it was in every respect an admirable
81 off hand - effort.
AS illustrating the views and sentiments
of our visitors, have reported in full the
excellent speech of MIR. Hopkins of the
New York Rural Home. Mr.. Hopkins is a
pronounced and influential Republican.
speech of Mr. A. A. Hopkins
Mr.. Mayor and Gentlemen of Greensboro:
feel highly honored by being called
upon to respond in bebalf of my brethren
of the press, although 1 could wish that
some one of the many older than myself
! were accorded the task k-eome one who
could do fuller justice to the occasion.
We have come among you. gentlemen,
on an errand of peace. Speaking in the
language of our craft, we have left our
shooting sticks behind US; and had we
brought them they could shoot nothing
worse than 'coin." which think your
people would hardly object to. But drop
ping phrases of the types,
WE HAVE COME AMONG YOU AS FRIENDS.
sion was lsrgely one Of recreation. -
This, however, has taken on a different
character as we have journeyei southwark
has deepened and intensified into pro-
found responsibility. We come from the
rich rural districts of New York, PennsyI-
vania and New jersey, and we shall go
home to tell the thousands whom we daily
and weekly preach to-, of what We have
seen and heard. We have everywhere
received most hearty hospitality. Virgin
la 8 brave sons have met us with warm hand
clasps, in which we have felt the heart
throbbing to the very finger tips; their
fair sisters have entertained US az only the
most accom- plished could do. Leaving
the cold North to look for Summer, as 1
told some of my friends, we seem to have
chanced upon
SUMMER OF THE HEART,
wherein all kindly affections do bud and
blossom, and we shall expect these will
beur beautiful fruit.
The region of coIntry we represent is
one vast swarming place. Men are continu-
ally going out from The great States of
New York and Pennsylvania, In search of
homes. They go where their genera! in
terests may be best served, where they
may build up social life with all that is
purest, best and wo1thiest.
Wall they come to North Carolina It
is possible. because of what We may tell
| them. Rest assured, gentlemen, that we
shall speak of our observations in all hon
esty, with the lnt@ut TO deal justly by all.
You want
OUR MONEY, OUR INDUSTRY, OUR ENERGY.
It is possible you may have somewhat Of
each, astthe result Of our visit to thi pace.
We realize, then. tha: the responsibility
davo!ving upon us is not light one, and
I would impress this truth even more
dt epIy upon my e:brtn OF the press -
An impression bas somehow gone abroad
! t1at while the press is a mighty power,
| it is not always careful of the truth Nov,
| [ would have it ground into the common
| beiief that editors have cOnsciences. There
Is g;owIng up in the world a mammoth
Zee of knowledge, the leaves of which go
| rustIing down wherever civilization
| re. tes-white winged leaves, speckled
| with little Gots Of black, which tell won
| jerful stories. These leaves are the news
| p pers. Tney are found IN every home !;
| their stories have an auditory all over the
| l2uu AUO ICr lQlS o3HOQ CQ6y SQOuIQ De
true stories, told not alone for the telling,
| but
| TO MAKE MANKIND THE BETTER
and the no5ler. humanity more graudiy
| human, individual interests more closely
IN sympathy with the common veal. Such
will be the character, l am certain, Of
whatever We may publith coucerning the
South We shall tell the truth IS we s e
il, anxious OILY for the general good. ard
hoping fer the happiest realizaIor.
In behalf Of our delegation, gentlemen,
I tender our heartfelt thanks for the well
Fcome you have given us. We come as
friends you meet US as friends Aud il
it be our pleasure to meet again Cn some
future day, may We tEen strike hands as
brethren of one common country, happy
in one common interest, grateful to one
common God.
Ex-Governor Vance's Speech.
| Ex-Governor Vance of North Caroiint
being then called upon, said :
Gentlemen Of The Northern Press: Whe1
say to you, that am happy to welcome