Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-04-11

ladies' cabin, where several tables wefe
drawn tog ether, end three or four pack.
aRes opened, the contents of which be-
ing spread out proved to be an
ELEGANT SET OF coLoRs
designed to sdorn the Illinois, and pur.
chased by q mite contribution from
leading Memphis merchants for that
purpose. Commodore George w. Chez
appearing on the scene, Captain Ma rk
Cheek resigned the command OF the
steamer to his superior officer and him.
self retired to superintend the minor de
tails of the occasion. AS soon as the
large crowd Of visitors, headed by Col
onel II. M. Neely, of the firm OF Brooks,
Neely & Co., of Front street, had gath
cred around the tables, Colonel NeeIy
made
THE PRESENTATION SPEECH.
Colonel Neely referred to the fact that
previous to the war the Memphis and
NIcksburg packet line was one OF the
most important feeders to Memphis
commerce.; that one of the most disas-
trous events of the war was the destruc.
ton OF the steamers that composed the
line, which since the war had been most
keenly felt in the attempt to reinstate
Memphis in the position she is entitled
to hold in the commercial world. He
referred TO the fact that our r,cc-r.;,,,yurs
cou.o not BE iTSIuced to invest their cap
lt%%'. in the establishment of such an
important line of packets, the majority
apparently entertaining doubts as 10 its
feasibility, but that in the face OF all
these stnmbling-b blocks Captain Cheek,
with fhn oY0n nrfornNioa
teristic Of the man, had placed the Illi-
nois in the trade, and battling and buf.
feting the stoutest opposition that packet
was now entering upon her second year,
under.Guspices that compels the fact that
she Is fixture and the line established
beyond all doubt. The success of the
merchsnts Of Memphis in Teclaiming
the trade that properly belongs to this
city speaks louder in praise of the enter.
prise than he could find words to ex-
press. Colonel Neely alluded to the
wealth and productiveness Of the Mis-
sissippi valley embraced within the
line, in which he spoke poiDtedly of the
disposition of our people to ignore the
advantages Nature had provided for our
own advancement, by refusing to con-
tribute TO ward the improvement Of our
AANCL uoNlkaLlOus IL 10 . lhCb bllaG N1Ctu~
phis must look to her river commerce
for the development Of resources Of
untold wealth. The speaker concluded
by stating that number of merchants
were discussing the appearance of the
bunting of the Illinois, which looked
tattered and torn from having been con-
stantly furled to the winds and storm in
the work OF building up one Of our most
lfTaC of nj TSho
matter was taken in hand by a number
Of friends Of the Illinois, and by Unite"
contributions, in which every merchant
was allowed to contribute, the set of
colors which he had been delegated to
present on behalf Of the merchants of
Memphis had been purchased and
wrought, Of the finest texture and best
workmanship that could be obtained.
He was proud to say that the bunting
would befittingly decorate the grand
steamer Illinois, which our merchants
had become to regard with great pride.
Colonel Neely's remarks were greeted
with hearty applause, evidencing that
every word he had spoken was fully in
dorsed By those present.
COMMODORE CHEEKS REPLY.
Commodore George w. Cheek, nat
urally Of modest manners, seemed taken
greatly by surprise, and attempted to
apologize by saying that he Twas not
much of a speechist, but he would un-
dertake to say something in reply to the
very high compliment paid his boat.
After moment or two in collecting his
ideas, the commodore said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE-In
fha Snd on hohs 10 Of tho Mar,o NJ,
and Vicksburg packet company, and
the officers and crew of the steamer Illi-
nois, let me return thanks for these
gracefully presented by your distin-
guished crater. In accepting this
flag permit me to say we appreciate and
and intrinsic value, but chiefly do we
prize it because it is the gift Of true and
tried friends and patrons, and because as
such it is a handsome testimonial of
their regard for US, because it Is the out
spoken and manly acknowledgment on
the part Of our friends and patrons of
the humble yet earnest efforts of the of.
ficers and crew of this vessel to develop
the commerce Of the great Mississippi
valley, to bind together in q common
interest the two neighbOTing cities OF
Memphis and Vicksburg, and to
our own city the valuable pro-
ducts Of this fertile valley, as well as to
distribute along the shores Of the great
Father of Waters the supplies and mer-
chandise from our own market. This
has been the object and aim of cur good
vessel, and whatever success she has
col IaaV, 20
support and open encouragement which
you, our friends and customers Of the
Bluff City, have accorded to Us. And
to-day we receive this 1agand the graf
flying and complimentary words of
cheer and good will as the expression Of
your regard for US, and of your encOur-
agement Of the enterprise upon which
our vessel is engaged. On behslf of the
officers and crew of this vessel, give
you the full assurance that these eoloIs
shall be proudly worn by the Illinois,
nor shall they ever be struck to any op-
posing craft, nom whatever coast she
may come. [Applause.
AS coon as the applause had subsidized,
the commodore concluded his remarks
by ssyiDg: Gentlemen, if you will
step this way you will find something
uhue OuI grapes auu u6CluSuly D6tt6I
than Mississippi river water"
A FLOW OF WINE.
The guests needed no second invita-
tion, but followed the lead Of the com.
modore into the spacious wine.room,
presided over by Drs. Joe Smith and Ed
Quinn, where 3 number of baskets
branded Charles Fare, of which H.
Furstenheim d Co. are agents here, were
quickly unpacked Of the sparkling
liquids, and the assemblage were soon
tOasting the boat and her gentlemanly
officers, and quaffing the heartiest well
wishes for the future success Of the boat,
her crew and the Memphis and Vicks-
burg packet line.
THE COLORS.
Through the kindness Of Captain P.
r. Starr, the first mste, who, by the
way, served long time in the Ameri-
can navy, we are enabled to describe
the SET.
The Royal Burgee, which flies from
the head Of the jackstaff, is thiIty feet