Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-12-04
HIM. David Richards.

81
the Welsh citizens was held ON Saturday
night last, congratulating Mr.. d. Richard
upon his success in being elected to repre-.
sent the four counties Knox, Anderson
Union and Granger, in the State Senate
of Tennessee. At about 7.15 o'clock al
most all of our Welsh citizens had assem-
bled. 1he meeting was organized by elect
ing Mr. Thomas d. Lewis as President,
and Mr.. Joseph Davis as Secretary. Upon
taking the chair, Mr.. Lewis stated that he
had known Mr.. Richards for twenty-five
! years, and had always known him to be
an upright, honest and religious man, and
it gave him pleasure to preside over meet
! ing where the congratulations were to be
rendered to "a man who in every respect
was worthy of them! Said he had conversed
with him, and that he had told him that
he would not do anything to gain the
popularity of himself in any party, but
intended to do what was right and just
After these few remarks a hymn was sung,
q prayer was offered up to God for His
blessings to attend Mr.. Richards and to be
upon the meeting. After which, remarks
were made by the President stating that it
was seldom that Gods blessings were
cases as these, but hoped that the people,
as general rule, would pray more for the
success of their representatives and rulers
while in office than ever before that they
might do their duty as honest, upright,
and God fearing men.
Rev. Mr.. r.. d. Thomas, the present
pastor of the church, then followed
with appropriate remarks. He stated that
he had six reasons for congratuating Mr..
Richards upon his success. LIST. Because
he was a man full of good common sense.
I'd, Because he was a Christian, a God
! fearing and God-loving man. Sd, Because
ne was true Republican in principles. 4th,
Because he had been prosperous as a man,
especially in business. 5th Because he
was a thorough, out and out honest,
steady, upright and religious Welshman
and loved his people, their language and
religion. 9th, Because he was likely to
do good good as a Senator at Nashville.
Mr.. Thomas knew that Mr.. Richards
would be the means OF getting more of the
Welsh citizens to emigrate to open out the
vast resources of this State, especially and
the whole South general. Sorry / have no
room to write the whole of his speech.
Every one seemed to be pleased with Mr..
Thomas remarks, judging by the applause
that followed.
At the close of his remarks, the Rev. Mr..
Thos. Thomas was called upon to say few
words He mentioned that he wanted to
know what was the reason, that we, as
Welsh folks, had a meeting of congratula-
ton. He thought Mr.. Richards had
spoken as loud, as well, and as near to the
| point as any of the speakers in the late
| Notification, and wanted to know if the
audience did not see the hand of God
| through the whole. That now we had a
man to represent us who was not afraid of
| man or party, and not afraid to ask God S
! blessing on all he would do in the Senate,
or during the time he was in office. He
made other remarks, which were received
with shouts of applause, interspersed with
anecdotes and incidents but closed, hop
! ing that the people of Tennessee would
send more of Mr.. Richards stripe to fill
the offices, and that he hoped and knew
that Mr.. Richards would go in with'all his
strength, and hoped God would bless and
| keep him. After remarks by the President
quartette was sang by VIM. Richards,
Miss l.. Richards, Mr.. Thomas Davis and
Mr.. Jno. II. Davis, which was thankfully
appreciated by the audience.
Mr.. Samuels, late of Pennsylvania, was
then called upon to make a few remarks.
He stated that he did not come prepared
to make a speech, as he had thought when
he first had the invitation to come, that all
he had to do was to sit down and help
himself, having the idea that it was an
oyster supper. But after all his apologies,
he Sdlu enough, anu BOOu 100, W SdllSly US
that he would be the man to call upon to
make a speech in case of emergency. He
stated that as now he had intended to
make his home with, he wanted to do all
he could and have no doubt he will be
the means of doing much good among LIE
here.
Resolutions were then read in substance,
that Welshmen thankfully acknowledged
Gods hand in the late election regarded
the election of Mr.. Richards as a compli-
ment to the Wesh people and as certain to
make good impression North and pro-
mote immigration that they hoped good
honest, religious men would be elected of
tener than they had been, and that this
meeting specially feel thankful for the cleo
ton of the warm-hearted Welshman,
David Richards, and pray for his success
as a Legislator and for the happiness o
himself and his estimable family, and tina
he might never forget the Bible, the re
ligion and the language of the Welsh in
America.
"Oesy byd if iaith gymraeg." D.