Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1880-03-23
CINCINNATI.
A Royal Celebration at the
Opening of the Southern.
Railway.
Northern and Southern Mer.
chants Rejoicing Over the
Event.
NEARLY TWO THOUSAND GUESTS AT THR
BANQuET--DIxIE AND THE STAR SPAN
GLED BANNER AMID BoUNDLRss
ENTnUSIAsM-Gov.M MARKS
AMONG THE SPEAKERS.


CINClNNATl, maTcn lo.-lDe laSI VTdlll
Of the Southern eXcursionists did not
reach the city until o'clock this morn
ing, owing to delays caused by the hot
boxes on the new cars. To-day the visi-
tors are being shown about the city by
committee of four hundred citizens. A
large number were present at the Cham
Der of Commerce, where most extensive
preparations were made.
The garrison flaghung in the street at
the entrance, with the words "Cincin-
natl Chamber of Commerce thrice well
comes the Southern guests" The lobby
leading to the hall Of the chamber was
hung with flags and the doorway was
curtained with the same. From the cen
ter hung frame decorated with living
flowers, bearing on one side the word,
"Welcome," and the other, "Peace and
good will" Flags of all nations were
hung within. At the close Of business
hours, President Brown formally well
coined the visitors and introduced Maj
b. i. Crane, President of the Atlanta
Board of Trade, who read a poem, COM
memorative of the event, written by the
Rev. Mr.. Martin, Of Atlanta.
Gov. Marks, Of Tennessee, followed in
humorous reference to his attempt
during the war, along with some $4,000
other Southerners, to reach Cincinnati,
and said that he came, to-day, with a
few Of his neighbors to render an apollo
gy for failing to come sooner, and he
was glad to say that in the warmth Of
the welcome he and his friends had re-
ceived they forgot the disappointment of
their failure in the past.
Gov. Colquitt, of Georgia, followed,
and said that here and now was the fit
ing occasion when the dead past should
be buried forever, and in behalf Of those
who came with him, as well as those
left behind, he gladly extended the right
hand of fellowship.
L. A. James, of Chattanooga, made
brief remaks, in the course Of which he
warned Cincinnati to meet and over
come adversaries seeking to nullify the
value of its costly road.
There was parade Of the police and
display of the Fire Department, this
afternoon. To-night's banquet to the
Southern guests ut Music Hall, was the
elimination of the great enterprise Of
bringing such large number Of people
such long distance and providing them
feast unequaled in this country In its
proportions. Seventeen hundred and
slxty-six Is the exact number of guests
that were provided for, which is the full
capacity Of the ground floor and stage Of
Music Hall. OF course, IN the manage
ment Of the details Of such great UNI
dertaking, there has been more or less
friction and some disappointment, but
most of the latter il attributed to cara
lessness in issuing invitations, this being
done by the roads In the South connect
Ing with the Cincinnati Southern; but
these little dlsappointments were forgot
ten when the scene at the grand ban
quoting hall was witnessed tonight.
The hall itself Is an imposing struc-
turc tonight. With i,s array Of tables,
lts prOfuee ornaments, It's company of
delighted guests and the presence Of u
large number Of ladies' and gentlemen In
the upper tiers, II formcs sceneof beau-
~ aud magnllcence which will be the
remembrance for life time to all who
witnessed It. The adjoinglng buildings
have been for several days turned into
vast kitchens, with little army Of cooks
preparing beforehand everything that
could be made ready. The utmost sys-
tenn has been devised for preventing de-
lay and confusion In serving the guests.
There are forty-threc tables In all, thir-
teen Of which Ore on the stage. To most
Of these forty-nInc guests are seated.--
Each table has high steward, selected
from leading citizens, to personato the
host. Besides, Clncinnatians are seated
among the guests In the proportion Of
one to five. One waiter Is assigned to
every seven guests, and these ARE group
ed again under head walters and have
easy access TO the corridors, where Inn
mcnsc steam heating tables are provided.
II Is In reality group Of banquets, each
table representing one. The cost of the
bankuct IL slb.00O
The floral decorations, In such large
hall, are necessarily on large scale.--
Among the most imposing IA u floral
locomotive eight feet IN length, which
occupies n conspicuous place IN front Of
the origin. Two floral pieces besides
living plants, are on each table, an sew.
enteen hundred and sevcnty-slx hutton