The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-04-08
From our Special Correspondent


Committee is ended, and It's members and
those who have enjoyed with them the hos
nitalities of the people of Philadelphia
nave scattered. A majority OF them ieit
this morning for Harrisburg, Altoona, ana
pi,tshuro. the courtesies of the Pennsylva-
MIA Central Railroad Company having been
extended them by Vice-Presidents Scott anu
Thomnson, In this party are Messrs.
Roller. French, Smith, Woodson, Stubhs,
Loyenstein, and Wood, Of the committee,
and Messrs. Campbell, Rye, Schafter. Big
ger, ellis, Bassett French, McCauil,
Clarke. and others whose names 40 not
recall. Judge Cochran, Henry BELL, D. /.
Cowardin, Mr.. Wilt, and your CORE
spondent, will spend to-day IN fh,ladel-
mia and tomorrow in New YORK, Where
they will be Joined on Friday night by
most of the Harrisburg excursionists. The
marty Will return to Richmond on sun lay
or Mondav-some by land and others by
sea.
/ have deemed II useless to communicate
TO the readers of the Dispatch special re-
port in detail of the movements Of the
committee in Philadelphia because the
newspapers of this city have been full and
accurate in their accounts of the same, and
from them doubt not the news editors In
Richmond have made liberal and judtcious
extracts. In this letter, however, 1t Is
| proper that recapitulation should be
| made, and shall make it briefly. touching.
only uron the most prominent features OF
our pleasant Sojourn. AS TO our re-
| ception, may say in word that
| the Philadelphians have been most cordial
| in their greetings and truly munitcent IN
| their hospitable attentions The gentle
men of the committees Of reception have
| neglected their business almost entirely tor
three days, and spent their own and the
| city's money as freely as water that we
| might pass the time pleasantly. The best
hotel in the city has been our headquarters !;
1 the places OF amusement have been as open
| to us az the parlors Of the hotel the pubic
/ buildings have thrown wide their doors lor
| our entertainment, and the leaders or the
two political parties, without, ostentat'on.
have We'd with each other in efforts 10 make
every Eirginian at home In Pennsylvania.
The first word of welcome after that
riyen by the Council Committee at VIII
mlneton, came from Mr.. E. L. Davenport.
at the Cbestnut-street Theatre. We had
attended this poEular place of amusement
| in a body. and In common with every lndl-
yidual of an immense audience were sur
| prised and delighted with MIR. Davenporfs
masterpiece Of acting as Sir Giles over,
reach in " 4 New Way to Pay Old Debts
Il
plIuse ms the curtain fell, and the hero OF
The occasion, exhausted by his rendition OF
/ the terrible scene Of the last act, stepped
| forward to acknowledge the compliment.
Nothing more was TO be expected, but he
had but a single word for himself. Then
turning towards the NirginianS, who occu-
pied prominent seats In the choicest por-
lion Of the house, he gave them the warm
| est kind Of welcome to his city, and COM
mandins cloGuence as he proceeded laS-
isleA unon the Old Dominion and her re-
presentatives eulogies which stirred the
hearts OF every man in the audience,
brought down the house in thunders off
apDlallSe, and made us feel that, though
abroad, we were indeed still at home.
The performance at the theatre over. we
we're conducted to Il spacious and splendid
building not far of, which for elegance of
adornment could hardly he surpassed.
Judge our surprise OH Icing informed that
we were in the Union League Clubhouse.
The first impulse Of several was to retire.
but the sober second thought Of every sen-
shls man in the party was that the COM
plment should be accepted, a it was no
doubt intended, as IN overture of peace
md good will from those who, rs we and
they well knew, were uiametrically OPP
posed to us in political proclivities. The
supper of which we soon after rarook
was n splendid aflair-the tribute of Col.
4. II. Mcclure. wealthy and public
spirited citizen Of Philadelphia, to the Nir-
ginia committee.
The next day was occupied in drive
about the city and over the glorious three
are so Justly proud. Its vast domain and
its great natural advantages of varied and
picturesque scenery elected our warmeSt
admiration, while its richness in historic
associations, aud particularly In Revolution
arv reminisc noes, interested all who love to
view the spots where lived and moved the
truly great of Americas illustrious past
On ihe same day we visited Independence
| Hall. and were shown the various relics Of
| the Continental Congress and Continental
| army, which make that building 4 Mecca
| to many patriotic Americans. The walls
are adorned with portraits of all the sign
| ers Of the Declaration Of independence,
/ and the visitor is allowed to sit in rresi-
| dent HancOck's chair, or, If he chooses,
| upon the identical table upon which the
| Declaration aforesaid was signed. The
| only other curiosity which shall mention
! was one that | have never seen noticed in
| print-it is the original pass given John
! Andre under the name Of John Anderson,
nv Benedict Arnold, to pass through the
|! lines Of ihe American army.
But must hasten 10 say word as to the
grand entertainment which closed our en-
gagement in Philadelphia. | mean the
banquet last night. To say that il was a
sumptuous dinner would be superflous,
after saying that it was spead at the Conti-
mental Hotel, and ordered at the expense of
The city OF Philadelphia. / wish to speak
only cf what TRANSFERRED over the walnuts
and the wine. The Philadelphians, speak
Ing through their chief magistrate, Mayor
Fox, Ca Democrat, by the Way,) and
other distinguished gentlemen in profes
sional life, manufactures, and trades,
were profuse in their words of welcome
and earnest in their expressions Of good
will towards the people of Virginia. Decla.
rations that the day Of prescription has
passed, and compliments to the prudence.
moderation, consistency, and patriotism of
the sons of the Old Dominion were loudly
applauded. 1t was with no little APP
prehension that / looked forward to
The speeches which our own men-
nearly al young-were to be called upon
to make before an audience embracing
so much of the intelligence and taste
OF this cultivated city. But these appre- |
tensions, however natural, were far from
justified by the result. Every one of them
acquitted himself with credit, and two or
three covered themselves with glory. Judge
Cochran led the way in speech of marked
power in response TO '',fhe day we will
ceebrate-July 18th, 1876" It had the rare
merit of hrevlty, and every sentence was
pregnant with thought, though it was an
eXtempore effort. Colonel Walter Wood,
OF Halifax, was called up by "Virglnia."
His speech and that of Colonel W. S. Gil
man, of the Wing, who followed him,
We're not only in perfect taste, but marked
by an ornate style, and spoken with the fer
vid eloquence and imprisoned delivery Pc
| cullar to both, had telling effect. Several
| Tunes while each was speaking the Phila-