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

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was pleased with bis reception by the
i" boys,' and said so.
From Ashland to the Fair-Grounds the
train came with great dash, which seemed
to annihilate the intervening space. ~
When opposite the Fair Grounds speed
was slackened, ana the distinguished gen.
tlemen and ladies went to the windows to
see what they could Of the grounds and ex-
hibition, though the opportunity presented
was but poor one; unavoidably.
/ At the FAIRGROUNDS the advance guard
OF the Richmond crowd was met. 1t con-
sisted chiefly OF boys who, defYing the rain
and mud, trotted along ns fast as they could,
hurrahing for Hayes, and in other ways
manifesting their delight and approval.
Richmond Reached.
The first formal sound OF welcome from
within the corporate, limits was that OF the
Howitzers firing the regulation salute OF
twenty-one guns in honor of the President.
The guns were in position in the open lot
between Grace and Broad streets, opposite
Eba Park. The work was we'll done.
From Elba Park to Monroe Park the
crowd around the train increased every
moment. The President, at his old position
on the platform Of the rear car, was beheid
and cheered by the multitude, and repeat
eddy bowed.
When at the Franklin-street crossing the
train was stopped and the ladies were es-
corted to Major Myers's residence, near by.
1t had been their purpose Tor, rather, it was
designed by the committee, with their gra-
cious permission) to 60 on the platform, but
the rain was falling with quiet determine
ton that gave no promise OF early cessation,
and so the plan was altered.
| he tol hr,C o., Dow
ton Wise, chief marshal, and Acting Mayor
Meredith, went forward from the train to
the platform, which had been erected on the
half square bounded by Franklin, Bel
videre, and Henry streets. An open way
about four feet wide had been kept by
holding the crowd back The President
was followed to the platform by the other
gentlemen Of the party, the committeeman
acting rs escorts. 'zr
After all had passed along the lane
through the crowd was closed with rush.
Around the platform the people became
packed almost rs tight as slaves in barrel,
and if any wanted to retreat all avenues
were closed. TO the right OF them, to the
left OF them, front and rear, there was solid
wall OF human beings.
FROM TIE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
The platform had been decorated by the
X. X. X. as we'll as the limited time at their
command would permit. The national col
ors encircled and EMBODIED it in all dircc-
tions.
Looking from the platform in any direc-
ton the first sight, and the most novel one,
was the magnificent display OF umbrellas.
1t was, indeed, a great umbrella show.
There they were to be seen OF all sorts the
glossy silk one, fresh from Il store, receiving
It's first wetting; faded ginghams and alpa-
cas- that had stood hard storms and been
warmed by many suns, and here and there
ladies' parasols, loftily upheld, in the vain
hope Of keeping off the rain and permitting
at the same time view Of the people on
the stand.
OF the greatness OF that crowd, half-hid-
den and half-sheItered by the umbrellas, no
accurate estimate can be made and none
will be attempted. 1t was, however, very
large-mmensc io- Northumberland very
probably never cquallcd here, unless, in
deed, by that which witnessed the inaugu-
ration Of Jackson's statue, which was on
lovely day-a day as different from yester-
day as day could be. In the windows OF
all neighboring houses ladies were congre-
gated in great numbers, and in few in
stances they had even assembled the house
tops, showing thereby an enterprise and in
terest OF extraordinary character.
Never was multitude more patient.
There was no break in it from beginning to
end OF the proceedings, which is as about q
strong proof as could be desired OF the i'll.
terest felt
ADDRESS OF JUDGE MEREDITH.
President Hayes came to the front OF the
!, platform promptly, and was thus addressed
by Judge Meredith, President OF the Board
OF Aldermen. acting Mayor in the absence,
by reason Of sickness, OF Mayor Darlington
Mr.. President,-To me has been assigned
the pleasant duty OF receiving you on yolll
visit to the city of Richmond, and in the
name OF her people, irrespective Of party
to extend to you cordial greeting and biz
Won a sincere Welcome-the warm welcome
of the heart.
We are ever ready, sir, rs courtesy re
quires, to pay the Chief Magistrate Of the
country the respect due to his high office;
but it becomes an agreeable duty when thu
: incumbent is q citizen who, since his in
auguration, has taken steps to restore tht
country to the methods Of constitutions
freedom who has recognized the equality
OF all the States in the Union, and ha:
adopted the pacific and constitutional policy
OF local governments in the several States
freed from military supervision by tht
. Federal Government, and thus removed
the southern question from. the arena Of
political strife; and by this means has
revived the dropping spirits OF the peo
Dle OF the South, rekindled their patriotic
attachment to the Union OF their fathers
and brought them again to look upon the
flag of their country as the banner oil
peace; who has prohibited the active
interference by Federal ofice-holders in
our elections, and rebuked the dangerous
practice that has heretofore prevailed in the
country OF bringing the patronage OF the
Federal Government in direct conflict with
the freedom OF elections; and who has, on
all occasions, expressed an earnest and pa
triotic desire to restore iraternal relations
between the different sections OF the Union,
and sought to give peace to a people dis
tracted by sectional differences and the ef-
fects OF civil war. II there be southern
man who does not approve OF these mea-
sures, or any one Of them, he has yet to be
heard from. And hence we can give q
hearty welcome and tender the tribute oil
our gratitude to President who has given
these evidences OF broad and enlightened
craftsmanship; and although, sir, according
to party association, We are not ali RepuD-
licans, but most OF Us are Democrats, We,
they are Democrats who have the intelli-
gence to perceive and the manliness to APP
prove virtuous and patriotic act in po
litical opponent. ".za1
Mr.. President, we Virginians sometimes
indulge in the practice OF reminding oul
visitors that they are standing on the soil oil
the Old Dominion, as we lovingly call our
State, and speak OF her as the mother Of
States and statesmen. II this practice bt
more honored in the breach than the OBJ
servance. and one calculated to draw upor
us the inputation OF vanity, we think il