The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-31
HAIL TO THE CHIEFl

HAIL TO THE CHlEFl
Arrival OF the President and -Four
nombers Of His Cabinet. '9A
A PLEASANT TRIP FROM WASHINGToH TO
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS WELCOME AND
SHORT SPEECHES AT FREDER1CksRuRG-
THE PARTY ARRIVE HERE IN "A FNN-
IMMENSE TURNOUT OF PEo PL FAN
ACRE OF UMBRELLAS AND THOUSANDS
OF SMILING FACEs-THE sPEECHH OF
THE DISTINGUISHED VISITORS IN FULL
THE PROCESSION DOWN TOWN-HALF
THE POPULATION IN THE, STREE1s-A
SPLENDID VIRGINIA WELCOME-REcEP-
TIoN LAST NIGHT-PROGRAMME FOR TO
DAY AND TONIGHT. [,4s.a
The President and Secretaries EVarts,
Deyens, Thompson, and Sherman, and
friends accompanying them, ana members
of their families, yesterday became the
guests OF the city OF Richmond. Ihey
were met at Quantico by committee OF
escort, and upon their arrival here, IN
rain, were welcomed by an assemblage
great in numbers, and rs notable Tor the
character Of the people composing 1t as 1or
the cordiality exhibited. The formal ao-
dress was delivered by Acting Mayor Mere
dith on behalf OF the city, and responses
were made by the President and Secretaries
and Senator Morgan. The procession from
Monroe Park to the Exchange Hotel was
the grandest ever seen here. At every cor
ner the presidential party were cheeTed,
while the streets were blocked with men
and the windows and porches filled with
ladies'. At night there was a reception at
the Exchange Hotel, which was attended
by a large number OF our best people.
PROCEEDINGS COMMENCED YESTERDAY.
At S:07 o'clock yesterday morning a com.
mittee was started from the city to meet the
President and his party at Quantico, to give
them there preliminary greeting, and, as
official escort, to keep hospltable watch and
ward over them on their way hither.
Messrs. Joseph R. Anderson, John II. Guy,
John A. Curtis, 8. II. Pulliam, William II.
Scott, Robert H. Whitlock, Charles Todd,
and Ii. G.. Cannon, on that agreeable mis-
sion represented the Council; Franklin
Stearns, Esq, the Board Of Public Inter-
ests; W. c. Knight, Harry Heth, Thomas
II. Carter, and S. S. Bradford, the State Ag-
ricultural Society; and DR.. J. L. NJ. Curry
and Gen. Williams G. Wickham, personal
friends Of the President, the people at large.
The weather was yeNatiously uncertain.
Knowing what arrangements had been
made in the city, the committee was sure
that q fair day was all that was needed to
insure the success OF the Presidents recep-
ton. Councilman Curtis, whose former sea-
faring life gave him credit as weather
prophet, from time TO time discerned rays
OF hope to the north and west, and kept
up the spirits OF all for q time by his predic-
tions, but finally cold drizzle set in and
left them no longer in doubt, but somewhat
in despair.
Under the safe guidance OF Conductor
Tom Stratton the committeeman reached
Ouantico about 1880, and there met the
special train bearing the distinguished
visitors.
THE PRESIDENTS TRAIN.
The locomotive was tastefully decorated
with flags and flowers, and the train con-
sisted OF President j. NJ. Robinson's own
fine car and regular rpassenger-coach. The
committee got aboard the Presidents train
without much ado. About midway the
length OF the aisle Of the coach General An
dcrson, the chairman Of the Richmond COM
mittee, and the President met. General
Anderson said:
Mr.. President, the municipality Of Rich.
mond some months ago extended to you an
invitation to visit the city. and have several
times since renewed it. We were very glad
when we learned that you had accepted our
invitation and concluded to visit Richmond.
1rv n MN 10
which feel honored as chairman-to escort
you to the city.
7 beg leave to assure you OF hearty well
come from all classes OF your felloW-clt1'
zens. I ask to introduce to you the mem.
bers Of the committee and DR.. Curry and
General Wickham, whom we have invited
to accompany US.
THE GUESTS.
Introductions promptly followed, and il
was not long before the entire company
were on good terms with each other, and
the train started for Richmond at rapio
speed with the guests, as follows:
President Hayes and Mrs. Hayes, ano
Miss Platt, niece.
Webb and Birchard Hayes, sons OF the
President.
Secretary Evarls and his daughters:
Misses Minnie and Louisa.
Secretary Sherman and wife.
Secretary Deyens.
Secretary Thompson.
And with them Hon. John 7. Harris, oil
Virginia; Hon. Mr.. Loring, member o.
Congress from Massachusetts; Genera
Morgan, one Of the senators from Alabama
Col. Cook, the Presidents private secretary
President John NJ. Robinson and Superin
tendent E. T. D. Myers, Of the Richmond
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
Company; and Colonel A. Q. Holiday, as
sistant postmaster OF Richmond. 1t hat
been expected that daughter OF the Prest
dent and two daughters Of Mr.. Thompson
would be able to accompany the party, pu
circumstances prevented.
THE PRESIDENT.
The President is thoroughly unaffected
vet distinctly digniied gentleman. Hc il
tifty-tive years of age, stout and hearty
The pictures OF him which have been widely
distributed throughout the country give
first-rate idea OF his features, but much mis-
lead YOU as to the color Of his hair and bearq
Instead of being dark, as one relying
on the pictures would expect, the hair /
light brown, streakea with gray. Ill
whiskers are OF q sandy color. His face L
very pleasant and Virginian-like, and 81
kindly that it makes most people think they
have seen it before. The President is eaSl
in his manners. He has what thousands
public men have vainIy sighed for, ga pop
ular style"-a naturalneSs that enables nm
to be agreeable to all, great and small, with
out the slightest suspicion OF applause
seeking about it. =,
He IS a good talker, and, unlike many o.
the public men Of this day, does not feel Cd
ligated to become as dumb as an oyste
whenever a newspaper-man comes IN slsnt
On the contrary, he chats with them-or dl(
yesterday-with charming freedom.
,tp u,yrS ANn VIRGINIA.