The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-06
The virginians in PhiIadeIphia.
RECEPTION IN INDEPENDENCE HALf--yISIT
TO THE PARK --LEvEE AT THE
CONTINENTAL HOTEL
[From the Press of the 5th.l

bration, having fully recovered from "the
wounds inflicted" at the Union League
House by Colonel A. X. Mcclure, yester-
day morning began their tour of inspec-
tion in charge of John L. Shoemaker,
Esq, the head Of the general committee.
The party left the Continental and pro-
ceeded to Independence Hall, accompanied
by our various local committees, arriving
there at about 10 o'clock, where they were
formally received by his Honor, Mayor
Fox.
When the company had become placed
in their positions, Mr.. Shoemaker, the
chairman of the Council committee, said !:
ADDRESS OF Mr.. SHOEMAKER.
| Mr.. Mayor--As chairman of the Centennial
committee of Philadelphia, have to say that
the Legislature of the State of Virginia has
passed highly appropriate resolutions endors-
ing Philadelphia as the proper place for the
Centennial Celebration in 1876. In pursuance
of this resolution they have appointed COM
mittee of honorable gentlemen to confer upon
the subject of the exposition of '76. And here,
in this hall, it is a special privilege and honor
to have the pleasure to introduce to you. sir,
Chief Magistrate of this city, the Hon. j. L.
Roller, chairman of the Virginia committee.
WELCOME BY MAYOR FOX
Mayor Fox then addressed the delega-
ton as folows
GenAemen-As a general rule we always &C.
cord to visitors from abroad our polite atten-
tlon and courtesy. But coming, as you par
ticularly do, as the representative men of that
grand old commonwealth within whose legis.
tive halls, in the early days of the Republic,
rang out those eloquent tones which yet thrill
and throb the patriotic heart, and within
whose borders some OF the most decisive and
desperate of the struggles of the brave old col
onies took place; l say, thus coming, and up.
on one of the very highest of patriotic mis-
sions, you are not merely formally, but cor.
daily, sincerely, and heartily welcome to our |
city and our people. And we trust that what |
may be said. and done in connection with the |
Centennial Anniversary shall be in the highest |
degree promotive of that great purpose of the |
nation. We desire also to say that whatever |
can be done to make your stay among US pleas
ant to you, and to enable you when you do /
leave us to carry away to your State Legisla.
ture and your homes the liveiest impressions
of the pleasure it has afforded us to be privi.
legged to receive and entertain you, will be to
US the highest qualification.
RESPONSE OF SENATOR ROLLER.
To this Senator John E. Roller responded as
follows:
Mr.. Mayor and Gentlemen of the city of
task imposed on me as the
chairman of the Centennial Committee on the
part of the Virginia Legislature is an exceed
ingly difficult one. How, sir, can / express, in
such language es can command, an adequate
fer this welcome as chairman
Of this Legislative committee How can lex.
press our sincere and earnest acknowledgment,
In terms lifting, appropriate, and responsive,
TO the hearty welcome you have Just given US,
when feel especially, sir, in this hall--a diff
idence in attempting to use words appropriate
70 any such feeling On the first occasion of
Virginian, known and honored in all parts of
he State, the hand of whose grandsire had
painted those portraits which hang about us.
As stand in sight of that picture which faces
ne, the picture of the man who was the great
central figure of the Revolution, and as stand
lere within sight of Germantown and Della
rare, and within hearing of Monmouth and
trenton, feel, sir, that it would be exceeding
y inappropriate for me to attempt to give ex-
preston to the emotions which must be ava
tened within US. / believe, sir that this meet
ng carries with it deeper significance even
han we can justly infer from this assembage
low in this hall.
We come here forgetful of what has happen.
ID within the last few years, willing only to
emember this Union in which we have a com.
non interest, and willing only to revive the !
emembrances OF our common glories and our
ommon peris And, sir, we propose to do
rust, will bind this State and ours together in
closer union than has ever yet existed be-
ween US. We propose to give encouragement !.
0 the Introduction OF your railroads into our
'tate. [Applause.] We propose to give en-.
engagement to the introduction of your capi- /
al into our midst. We propose, sir, to lay t
ut of reach of party agitation. cables-tele.
raphic cables-that will quiver with mes
ages of love between the two sections-a
I'VE. never to be sundered. iApplause.
gain, sir, thank you in behalf of each y
'ember of this committee. We all thank you !,
lost heartily. .
A general conversation then ensued. and a
its conclusion, the party were escorted .
} carriages which had besn provided, and y
riven to the Baldwin locomotive works. .
nd from thence to Fairmont Park. q
THROUGH THE PARK:
Tho route to the Park was taken up.
1d the entry made at the Green street o
ate.
The Park Guard we're stationed at inter- Z
ais along the entire drive to Georges hill, y y
I'd tho members thereof saluted the dele y
stlon as they passed. The route was +"
1er the Landsdowne drive, aud the vari- y
Is points of interest were pointed out to L, IT
10 guests, drawing forth at every turn in !:
e drive the warmest commendation of u
e distinguished visitors. p
At Georges Hill the party alighted and al
ere informally received by Gustavus Re-
ark and William Sellers, of the Park 10
'mmssion. OF
AT BELMONT MANSION. -,
After the magnificent view from the hill r. =,
d been fully shown to the party. the =
rriages were again called into requisition.
d in short time the delegation arrived
Belmont Mansion, where a collation. had
en- prepared. tb
The bill of fare was gotten up by Pros th
uer, and that is sufficient to show that nj
erything was in frst-class style. pc
Full Justice was done to the viands pro. N,
led, and short address was made by gu
'rton McMichael, Esq, the president Of Re
, Park commission, in which be specially fis
erred to the advantages possessed by lar
iladelphia for the holding Of the Cen. wi
lnial Celebration. Reference was also th,
de to the historical associations connect Ca
with the old Peters mansion ia which are
" were assembled The address was Ca
that description which only our distin- bel
shed townsman can make upon sub
ff