The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-23


I bore ourfainfest hopes to the end, and sasds
the end came taught us new lessons Of dntj
and OF patriotism. S
u voice from which their oErens all men drew
~ o Iron nerve to trHe occasion true tt
Mother gtatel Birfhiand OF Washington
and Lee the Palmetto State eaIi ask no
higher bonor than that you should send sas
your representative the son or such b sire.
And now, my countrymen, on this secii-
lar Sabbath, sacred alike TO memory and TO
hope, let us rejoice that we are not atone fin
our observance OF this day. Not only in
the populo1s centres Of the Republics but
rs well tue lonely and remote have their
part in this commentators. I" w here the
boatlnan follows the winding stream, or the
woodman explores the forest shades, where
the miner lays down his eager drill beside
rocks which guard the precious vetn,ii or
where the herdsman along the Sierras
looks forth on the seas, which at our
midnight shall be cleaning like gold in the
setting snn-there also will the day be re-
garded MS a day of memorial. The sailor on
the sea will note it, and deck bis ship in its
brightest array:of flags and bunting. Eve
ryWhere will be those who have thought
OF to-day, and who, with US, greet its CONF
ing" f. or,
+ Such is the day and the event we cele.
brate, one OF the two holidays Of the coun-
try, and in national esteem is identified witch
the birth OF the nation itself. That which
"a hundred years ago was the unwritten
creed in the hearts OF all the people, has since
received the sanction and soiemnities oil
law, and the birthday OF the Father OF
his Country has become national Sab.
bath. ~
This thought and this feeling were per
fectly expressed by an illustrious Virginian
when our greatest earthly benefactor passed
from earth; and we cannot better express
our yeneration and gratitude on the day we
have met TO do h0mageto the immortal Viz.
ginian and American than by adopting the
words of Lighthouse Harry Lee, which then
and now, with accumulated emphasis and
sanction, symbolic the thought OF his coun-
trymen everywhere.
Permit me, then, 30 propose as the toast
of the day: "The memory OF the man
first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts
OF his countrymen and have the honor
to call on our distinguished guest, the grand:
son Of Lighthouse Harry" to respond.
General Lee responded in his happiest
vein; and the evening passed off most
agreeably to all present.
Tonight there was q grand banquet al
the Charleston Hotel in honor Of the distin.
guished civic and military visitors.
THE WALKER LIGHT GUARD.
The Walker Light Guard will leave fol
Richmond tomorrow, In extending their
Invitation to the Virginia soldiers the
Carolina Rifle Battalion met the hearty
concurrence and endorsement OF this
community. Every one was anxious
that the friendly bond which so long
made the people Of Virginia and Carolina
brothers should be cemented anew. What
more suspicious occasion than the birthday
of the great Virginian? Promptly second
ed by all the military organizations OF the
Fourth brigade, and especially OF the cele
brants Of the day, the invitation seemed tc
strike responsive chord in the hearts Of al
our people.
The completeness Of the arrangements
has shown that the entertainment OF ou1
Virginia friends was in the best OF hands,
and that they will carry with them back to
sole Virginny shore" the pleasantest recOl.
lections OF Carolina hospitality.