Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-09-30
Address OF MR.. GARRETT.

order.
ADDRESS OF Mr.. GARRETT.
GenRemeH Of he Convention As the presi-
ding liicrr OF tie S, uthen Commercial Con-
yention, held in October last, | have been re-
quested by the committee Of arrangements to
c,ll this Convention TO order That committee
also desires me to state that in view Of the large
national asscmbhge Of the Masonic fraternity
ia Baltimore during the past week, and with
the object OF extending the Inequalities Of this
community to tue members of this Convention
more effectively, the time Of this meeting was
changed from the third to the fourth Monday
Of September.
The last meeting of the Southern CONNER
cial Convention marked an epoch in the pro-
cress of the reconciliation OF the North and
South. Twenty-Five States were represented
In that convention, and among those States
were Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas,
Michigan, Massachusetts,, New York, Nevada
and Wisconsin. In that convention, meeting
CD the soil of Ohio, were distinguished and
able representatives from the North and the
South, men who, acting upon honest conviction
aud stern principle, fought vigorously in the
Federal and Confederate armies. Uniform
kindness, cordiality and appreciation Of south
ern men aud southern interests characterized
the action Of the men Of the North during the
sittings Of that convention. All representa-
tiyes Of that section cordially united in recon-
mending liberal appropriations for southern
harbors, rivers, and Internal IMPROVEMENTS and
warmly advocated al measures for restoration
Of the power and prosperity Of the desolated
south and southern delegates manifested a
patriotism which prompted them to heartily
endorse all plans for the advancement Of the
interests Of every section Of our common ccun-
try. [Applause.]
There men Of all political parties, throwing
aside par tiSan trammels, showed that the peO-
pie Of all those States desired restoration OF
cordial relations, and brotherhoodSand were
prepared again to recognize that the South
ern States should be restored to their rights,
their dignity and equality under the constitu-
ton that the hearts Of the people of the West
and Of the North again beat warmly and kind
ly for the people Of the South. Such E-Ser-
Gus intercourse, and the respect and friend
ship which resulted from that intercourse, and
the better knowledge each Of the other of the
citizens Of those sections, led to the adoption
OF the resolution by which the delegates OF
that convention requested Congress to pass a
law granting general amnesty TO the people Of
the South, and the repeal of all laws requiring
test oaths, so as to remove all political diSabil-
tiles wherever they exist" rGreat applause
The chairman had the satisfaction, on that
occasion, in announcing the vote upon this
resolution, to state that'it had been unani-
mously and heartily adopted. Such was the
result Of that intercourse and determination,
and so thoroughly in accord were all in the
promotion Of every proper financial aud CON-
mercial interest, that body which had origi-
mated as a Southern Convention, and held its
meetings on Southern soil, resolved that the
convention now assembled as a continuation OF
the Southern Commercial Conventions should
meet as the Ndti0RGl Commercial Convention.
LApplause.l
Constituted as is this convention, embrac-
ing in its membership so many eminent and
able citizens, perfect confidence may be enter
tanned that its proceedings will be character
lied by the same broad aud liberal views, and
that it viii act so wisely, comprehenSively and
periodically that its recommendations cannot
fail to produce a salutary influence upon ma
tional legislation.
/ had the satisfaction Of thanking the late
conversion on behalf Of my fellow-citizcns OF
Baltimore and Of Maryland for tho selection
ofthis city as the place Of the present meeting.
! said then that our people would be anxious
10 show to the citizens of the South and TO all
who would be assembled here their regard and
respect and affection I stated then what you
will now have an opportunity Of approaching
that our citizens would enthusiastically unite
in welcoming YOU, their countrymeu, from ey-
cry section, to their Inequalities, their hearts
and their homes"
Mr.. Garrett, upon concluding, was most en-
thusiastilly apPlauded.
After prayer by the Rev Henry SLIcER
Mayor Banks welcomed the delegates on be-
half Of the City authorities in an appropriate
style
Hon. WI PIyENEY WHITE was then intro.
juccJ as the orator Of the day, and made a
most eloquent speech. We can only give the
conclusion:
Children Of New England, sons Of Pilgrim
sires, accept the generous hospitality Of peo-
pie on whose sUil the banner Of religious toler-
alton was first unfuyled on this western CONT
nent.
And you, hardy sons Of the West, by whose
magic power, more wonderful than Aladdin's
lamp, cities and towns have burst into exist
ence, crowded and noisy with the hum of a
busy people, We bid you welcome. [Great
applause.
And YOU, citizens ofthe Empire State, whose
merchant princes rival in wealth those of Tyre
aud Sidon, the splendor Of whose chief city
equals that Of Nineveh, we cannot invite you
to gorgeous palaces, with gilded domes whose
banqueting halls are hung with purple, but
we do welcome You to our frugal board and
offer You a full share Of our basket and our
store And you, sons Of the Old Dominion, to
whose iucomparablo Washington we owe the
most for ihe successful termination of the rovo-
lutiauary war: 20 whose Jefferson we are IN
dettgi ior that eloquent recital Of our wrongs,
the declaration Of Independence; TO whose
Madison and Marshall we are under heavy OBJ
legations for the constitution and its clearest
eXVo>.tiuD>. we welcome YOU 70 Common
wealth. on whose roll Of honor are the names
Of Charles Carroll John Eager Howard, Ohio
Holland Williams Samuel Chase and Roger
Brooks Fancy. LAppause.l
And You whose homes are among the bay
oUsand aCoouS of the sunny South, where the
air is laden with the fragrance Of flowers,
blooming IN an eternal spring, all bail Tap
plause