The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-10-31
President Hayes and Suit al
Richmond "A Grand Reeeps
tlOn.

RICHMOND, VA, October sO.-Tho train
bearing the Presidential party, reached
Quantico at 1890 A. NJ, where Il VM
boarded by a committee Of reception Iron
Richmond, with Gen. Joseph +. Ander.
son a. chairman, who were introduced 10
the President and party. The arrival Of
the train at Fredericksburg was greeted
with the firing oi cannon, music and
enthusiastic cheers from the large crowd.
At the depot a short stop was made,
during which ex.Congressman Elliott
Braxton, Of Fredericksburg, on the part
Of the city, welcomed tho President aud
regretted that his stay in the city was 90
short. In the name Of the people Of the
city he congratulated the President on the
manifest wisdom Of his policy and his
ability to govern the country without the
aid Of arms or armies.
The Preaident In reply said: Gentle.
men Of the city government Of Freder.
icksburg, ladies and fellow citizens, re.
gret alSo that my time among you Is 90
short that shall not be able to make
your acquaintance, and | regret that I
must merely say thank you for your
kindly greeting, and that l am grateful
for the Btntimenta I have just listened to.
Now, / will make known some Of the gen.
tlemen associated with me in the admin.
iStrAtion Of the Affairs Of the nation.
The President then introduced Secrets.
~ Evarts and Secretary Sherman, both
Of whom spoke briefly.
Senator Morgan, OF Alabama, was next
introduced, bat before he had spoken
a half dozen Of words the train moved Of.
As the train came in sight OF Rich.
mond and passed the Fair Grounds, n
national salute was fred BY the Richmo ond
HoWitzers, and as it entered the city
crowds Of people began to gather and
follow en- masSG, the slowly moving train
until it reached Monroe Park, near
which the reception was TO take place.
At this point Il Is estimated that not less
than 10000 people were assembled, and
when the President and party alighted,
cheer upon cheer saluted them. The
party was then escorted by the Commit.
tee to the platform erected for the recep-
tion ceremonies.
ISTRoDucTToH OF THE PRESIDENT.
As soon as all the party were made as
comfortable as the disagreeable weather
permitted, Judge John A. Meredith, Act
ing Mayor Of Richmond, addressed the
President, extending on the part OF the
people Of Richmond, q cordial greeting
and sincere welcome. After referring 10
the President's patriotic efforts to restore
fraternal relations between the different
sections, he said:
Mr. Resident-Tn your laudAble efforts
to give to the country pacided and con.
stitutional administration, we bid you
God speed, and promise our cordial co.
operation; and II the past be an earnest
Of the future, We feel an abiding conf.
dence that you will obtain this noble end
the highest that a patriot can reach.
By mingling with US you will soon learn
that we are people who love order and
good government; who are ready to
maintain the supremacy Of the Constitu.
tion and laws, and who respect the equali.
ty Of all men before the Law.
Mr.. President, allow me TO present you
to the people OF Richmond. Upon the
introduction Of the President, he was
greeted with an outburst Of enthusiastic
cheers which lasted several minutes
When silence was in measure restored,
President Hayes spoke as follows.
PRECEDENT HAYES RESPONSE,
Judge Meredith and Fsliotp Ci.i.eas-In
the unfortunate condition Of the weather
1 desire very briefly but heartily to thank
the city authorities and people Of Rich
mond for the honor Of an Invitation 10
visit their city and for this very crafty
ing welcome. Tho city Of Richmond has
a double interest. The interest that be.
longs to one OF the earliest settled cities
OF the country, and the interest that be.
longs to 3 town that has afamous his.
tory, and also has 4 fortune 10 have added
the interest that belongs to a city that
has future. We think Of Boston and
Quebec Us cities, interesting because Of
the historical associations that linger
about them. Richmond has that interest.
We think Of St. Paul and Galveston as
cities rapidly growing, as cities having
hopes and anticipations, and Richmond
has also that interest. 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 leading place among
the cities Of the continent. II we look
to facilities and advantages for man
factures, water power, granite, marble,
iron and coal all these advantages
belong to this city. Mining and manu-.
factures 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. Applause.l In the past, un.
der the slayeholding system, the land Of
Virginia was owned mainly in great
tracts, with sparce rural population.
Now, under the new system, these lands
are to be cut up gradually and denser
rural population will be found in your
State. In former times man Of ambi-
tion, a man Of enterprise, looked to the
possession, Of great plantation as the
object OF his desires. Hereafter there
will'be more feeling in behalf Of the EN-.
ployments that make great cities. Under
the former systen these great influences
that make cities were lost.
But, my friends, 1 am OBTAINING you
too long In speaking OF Richmond, when
there are persons here better able than / |
to talk on this subject. I beg you to ac-
cept my grateful acknowledgements for
this kind reception. Now / will give
you the benefit Of hearing the voice Of
other gentlemen asssociated with me in
the administration. Idouht no, you will
be glad to hear from them.