Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-11-06
President Hayes In Richmond.

President Hayes In Richmond.
It was raining when the President
and his party of friends reached Rich
mcnd on Tuesday. The address of well
come was delivered by Judge John A.
Meredith, acting Mayor, in response to
which the President spoke as follows:
Judge Meredith and Fellow Citi-
zens: In the unfortunate condition of
the weather desire very briefly but
very heartily to thank the city authori-
ties and the people of Richmond for
the honor of the invitation to visit
their city, and for this very gratifying
welcome the city of Richmond has a
double interest. The interest that be
longs to one of the earliest settled cities
OF the country, the interest that be-
longs to town that has q famous his
tory and also that has the fortune to have
the added interest which belongs to a
city that has future. Applause. We
think of Boston and Quebec as cities
interesting because of the historical as
sociations that linger about them. Rich
mond has that interest. We think of
st. Paul and Galveston as cities rapidly
growing, as cities having hopes and an
ticipatiOns, and Richmond has also that
interest. a4
"This country, this central part of the
United States, with its harbors open to
the commerce of the world, has every
advantage needed to give to Richmond
the leading place among the cities of
the continent. If we look to facilities
and advantages for manufactures, water
power, people, materials, granite, mar
BILE, iron, coal-and manufactures are to
give to Richmond wealth, population
and fame, and we look to Richmond as
having prospects quite equal to those of
the most fortunate of our cities. APP
plause. In the past, under the slave.
holding system, the land of Virginia
was owned mainly in great tracts, with
sparse rural population. Now, under
the new system, these lands are to be
cut gradually, and denser rural popu-
lation will be found.
''In your State in former times the
man of a million, the man of enter
prise looked to the possession of a great
plantation as the object of his Desires
Hereafter there will be more feeling in
behalf of employments that make great
cities. Under the former system these
great influences that made great cities
were lost then. But, my friends, am
OBTAINING you too long in speaking of
Richmond, when there are persons
here better able than I am to talk on
the subject. l beg you to accept my
grateful acknowledgements for this kind
reception"
Addresses were then delivered by the
fol In vI,iv, nhar IF ~ w ~
retaries Evarts, Sherman and ThOmp-
son, and Attorney General Devens.-
| Senator Morgan of Alabama also spoke
briefly. -'sls-t
At the conclusion of the speaking a
procession composed of military, en-
bracing all the white and colored organ
izations of the city and several visiting
companies, the fire department, the city
authorities and distinguished guests in
carriages, and hundreds of carriages
with citizens, and thousands on foot,
moved off and proceeded in the direc-
ton of the Exchange Hotel.
| Many of the houses along the route
were beautifully decorated with flags
and other insignia of greeting and well
come, while several arches spanned the
streets. About $4,000 people viewed the
pageant.
AT THE FAIR GROUNDS.
On reaching the Fair Grounds at II
o'clock on Wednesday, President Hayes
and party were conducted to the brick
building occupied as the headquarters
of the Agricultural Society, and from
the upper porch the speeches were de-
1ivefdd. THE crowd that gathered
around the building was large, but not
SO large as it would have been had the
weather been bright. The officers OF
the Society, members of the City Coun-
Gil, and distinguished citizens were sta
toned on the porch with the President.
SOW. kEMsER's seEECH,
Gov. James L. Kemper, having been
selected by the Society to welcome Mr..
Hayes, came forward and spoke as fol-
lows;
Mr.. President. In coming to this an
cient State, you are naturally reminded
earliest foundation. 1t was here that
our forefathers devised the first complete
written constitution of government
ever ordained by any of the States OF
nations of the world. 1t was before the
declaration Of independence was adopt
ed that they here launched into being
an Independent organized Common
wealth; and it was here first declared
through the organic law of Virginia,
that government Is instituted for the
common and equal benefit, security and
protection of all the people; and, that
that government is best which produces
the greatest degree of happiness and
safety for all. pl
Believing it is your geod Sortuae, sir
to stand in a great crisis, on this fun
damental principle of our fathers, we,
therefore, rejoice in every assurance Of
your determination to recognize and re-
spect the equal integrity and honor, the
equal rights of self. government, and the
equal liberties of ali the sections, states
and people of our common country.
| Anxiously, Virginia watches and
halls the dawning Of universal paciica.
ton With faith and composure she
awaits the return of her own ancient
historic era of good feeling. 1t is in hel
name that greet yop 70 day; and
welcome you, sir, as a frfend-lot' Of
Virginia, not of Ohio, not of any sec
ton, State, party, or class-but as a
friend of the peace loving freemen and
the law abiding States of an indissolu.
BILE and indestructible Union.
g { sRasF y1fH th s1 hsGsRtalds
~ .nis ~ nAa,$nS ato l. Sn 49,: Stnn 4
for official p:ritySthose who uphold
the cause of constitutional peace, of inn
partial justice and of equal rights, for all
the members of the American Republic
Fellow citizens, I have the pleasure
to Introduce to yog the PRESIDENT Of thtf
! His remarks were often interrupted
by applause.
| RFsP9SsE Of THE RREss44RllENF.
The President responded as follows
Governor Kemper, Ladies and Gen
tlemen, II am admonished by the lead
en- sky and thickening mist that my
remarks in reply to the welcome we
haze inst listened to must be very brief
would gladly, give expression to thu
to have this truly Virginia welcome
Cheers.[ understand very well the
general purposes of the Society whose