The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-05
Arrival and Entertainment OF North
Carolina Merchants.

SarOlIna HsGrcAAHtS.
4 large party OF North Carolina MGR
chants aud businessmen, chitfly from the
western section OF the State, from Raleigh
TO Ashevilc, reached Richmond Tuesday
morning and quurtered themselves at the
different hotels. During the day yester-
day they amused themselves in various
WAYS, visited points Of interest in the city,
&c, AT night they were Hospitality enter
tanned ut the Commercial Club, corner Gov
ernor and Ross streets. -...... .....
Shortly after S O'Clock the eXcurslonlstS
and large number Of Richmond merchants
and invited guests assembled in the Club
| building. where arrangements had been
made 10 give the party real Old-Vtrglna
welcome. Mr.. Claiborne watkins, rre>i-
dent, on behalf Of the Club, " did the hon.
ors." and in hls address OF welcome said:
Fcl!ow-Citizens of the good old North
State, the gallant Palmetto State, and OF the
! Old Domnion,-Therc has never been an
occasion in the past that has afforded me so
much pleasure as tie present, that should
have been selected on behalf OF our meI-
| chants TO welcome You to our beautiful
city. There are TO people in this broad
land whose social, political. and business
| relations have been more Intimate, prou'a-
bic. and pleasant than those OF our three
great s." tHS-NOflu IalOllila, Souli S"''
lima, and Virginia.
We have alike enjoyed our prosperity IN
times OF peace, aud we have banGed TO-
gether like brothers in the darkest DAYS OF
! our troubles. Our gallant soldiers have
stood shoulder 10 shoulder on more than Il
| hundred batt!e-tields in defence OF cqia
rights. We have reioiced together IN our
victories, and we have sympathized WITH
each other in our defeats; and VIII say ["
YOU now, as Ruth said unto Naomi, Nhlth'r
thou goest, | will go; and where thou
| lodge>t, | Will lodge: thy people shall bc
nv people, and ting God my God: where
thou diest, will l die, and there will be
| buried.
But, gentlemen, let the past take care Of
| the past. We have to great extent, 1v our
! Industry, economy, and perseverance, Dcrh
able to reclaim our lost fortunes, and maze
our country bloom and blossom as the rose;
Need l refer to the evidences OF renewed
prosperity in our States! They are many.
In agriculture, in the development OF our
great mineral resources, and in the steady
advancement OF public improvements
bound together rs we are by unbr0ken mes
Of railroad to every portion OF our country
with the Chesapeake and ONO railway
which connects us with the great Ne>'.
|
that vast ccuntry-clieap provisions, cheap
coal, and cheap iron. Then turning 10
that great channel OF connecting lines OF
railroad. Richmond and Danyiilc, L. ard
A., and c., G. and A. through when
the very lie OF our city flows. enabling lis
TO place goods at your very doors ana iaf
into the Gull States without breaking bulk !:
and, in return. bringing to our markets tue
great staples OF your SATISFACTION ana IT,
bacco-whicl can lie transferred at our c!t%
or at West Point to ships bound for ali ports
oil the world.
| II nil OF this advancement does not argue
nrospprtv in the future, then | have been
mistaken in the true signs of the times.
I viii here predict that new era has COM
menced in our States. and ii we Will take
advantage OF this great wave, which on 10
fortune leads. we will i'll i few years have
achieved success, or we will be degenerate
sons OF noble slres.
Let us stand together in the future a. we
have in the past, and we shall surely reap
our just reward.
Again, gentlemen, it is my pleasure &c
offer you, without limit, the hospitality ol
our city and Club.
It is my pleasure now to introduce 20 yor
our distinguished friend, MIR. Rogers, who
will in his best and handsomest manner en-
terrain you for the balance Of the evening
The Vice. President OF the Club, Mr.. J. P
Rogers, following Mr.. Watkins, made .
) humorous and happy address, and invited
the party to the dining-rconos, where ban
auet was spread and heartily enjoyed By al
, present.
Mr.. J. 2. Ramsey, editor oil the States
vile Landmarks, responded, and made
tirst-rate speech, which was highly appre
ciated.
i He was followed by DR.. Thomas Moore
OF Charlotte, State senator from the Meek
| lenburs district, whose address was highi.
appropriate to the interesting OCCASION.
His remarks concluded the speaking
after which the visitors and their hosts u!
, tackled the tables in earnest, and at lat
D J hour the party broke up.