The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-31
HAIL TO THE Chief
Arrival or the President and -Four
Nombers Of His Cabinet. ~

Nombers of His Cabinet. -
...r.....t $50
A PLEASANT TRIP FROM WASHING TON TO
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS WELCOME KND
SHORT SPEECHES AT FREDERICKSBURG
THE PARTY ARRIVE HERE IN "A RA1N-
IMMENSE TURNOUT OF PEG PL Fan
ACRE OF UMBRELLAS AND THOUSANDS
OF SMILING FACEs-THE Speeches OF
THE DISTINGUISHED VISITORS IN FULL
THE PROCESSION DOWN TOWN-HALF
THE POPULATION IN THE sTREEM-A
SPLENDID VIRGINIA WELCOME REcEP-
TON LAST NIGHT-PROGRAMME.F FOE TO-
DAY AND TONIGHT. ~ rs..~.
The President and Secretaries Evarts,
Devens, Thompson, and Sherman, and
friends accompanying them, and members
of their families, yesterday became the
guests OF the city OF Richmond. They
were met at Quantico by committee OF
escort, and upon their arrival here, in
rain, were welcomed by an assemblage
great in numbers, and us notable Tor the
character of the people composing it as for
the cordially exhibited. The formal adj
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 reception at
the Exchange Hotel, which was attended
by large number OF our best people.
PROCEEDINGS COMMENCED YESTERDAY.
At S:07 o'clock yesterday morning 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 hospitable watch and
ward over them on their way hitler.
Messrs. Joseph r. Anderson, John H. Guy,
John A. Curtis, 8. TT. Pulliam, William II.
Scott, Robert II. Whitlock, Charles Todd,
and Ii. 6. 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 c. Wickham, personal
friends of the President, the people at large.
The weather was yeXatiously uncertain.
Knowing what arrangements had been
made in the city, the committee was sure
that 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 a weather.
prophet, from time to time discerned rays
OF hope to the north and west, and kept
up the spirits OF all for time by his predc-
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
Quantico 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 passenger-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
mttee, 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.
We have the honor, az commlttee-of
which l feel honored as chairman-to escort
you to the city.
I beg leave to assure you OF hearty well
come from all classes OF your fellow-cit1-
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 it
was not long before the entire company
were on good terms with each other, and
the train started for Richmond at rapid
speed with the guests, as follows:
President Hayes and Mrs. Hayes, and
Miss Platt, niece.
Webb and Birchard Hayes, sons OF the
President.
Secretary EyartS and his daughters,
Misses Minnie and Louisa.
Secretary Sherman and wife.
Secretary Devens.
Secretary Thompson.
And with them Hon. John 7. Harris, OF
Virginia; Hon. Mr.. Loring, member OF
Congress- from Massachusetts; General
Morgan, one Of the senators from Alabama ;
Col. Cook, the Presidents private secretary ;
President John NJ. Robinson and Superln-
tendent E. T. D. Myers, Of the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
COMPANY and Colonel A. @. Holiday, as
sistant postmaster OF Richmond. 1t had
been expected that daughter Of the Presi-
dent and two daughters Of Mr.. Thompson
would be able to accompany the party, but
circumstances prevented.
THE PRESIDENT.
The President is thoroughly unaffected
vet distinctly dignifed gentleman. He is
fifty-tiye wears of age, stout and hearty.
The pictures OF him which have been widely
distributed throughout the country give a
first-rate idea OF his features, but much mis-
lead you as to the color OF his hair and Deara.
Instead Of being dark, as one relying
on the pictures would expect, the hair Is
light brown, streakeA with gray: Ills
whiskers are Of n sandy color. His face Is
very pleasant and Virgnian-like, and SO
kindly that it makes most people think they
have seen it before. The President Is cas-!
in his manners. He has what thousands OF
public men have vainly sighed for, "a pop
Mar style"-a naturalneSs that enables him
to be agreeable to all, great and small, with
out the slightest suspicion OF applause
seeking about it,
HE'S good talker, and, unlike many OF
the public men of this day, does not feel Cd
ligated to become as dumb as an oyster
whenever newspaper-man comes in sight:
On the contrary, he chats with them-or DID
yesterday-with charming freedom.
Mr.. HAYES AND VIRGINIA.
he spoke to the Dispatch representative
OF the Virginia people in kindly terms. he
said he was somewhat familiar with the vat
lev and Southwest OF our State, and consid-