The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-23

INT " DkhoE
whittle-welcome Address from Mayor
CnrrinRton-The Declaration OF Indepen-
dence Read by Scholars OF the High SchocI-
An Eloquent Grafton from Hon. J. l.. VI.
Curry-PatriOtic Music-PersOnals-Iu
dents-ProGramme for To-day; Also for
Monday.
Richmond's celebration commenced yes
terday, and will be extended two or three
days into this week.
The ceremonials and festivities are not
intended to rival but rather to supplement
those which took place at Yorktown. With
its eminent claims as a historic city, Rich
mond could not allow the Centennial sea-
son TO pass by without taking a public
part. The ground that became a settle
ment for the white man thirteen years be-
fore Plymouth Rock was born in his
tory; that was afterwards trodden
by the soldiers Of Washington and
Lafayette; that later became the thea
tire Of one Of the most remarkable
wars that the world ever saw, will forever
attract visitors, and long be the object
OF interest TO patriots OF every cline.
for the entertainment OF those who have
come TO Us from far-on lands, for those
from other and distant States, for our kins-
men from the counties, and for our own
city people no less, programme was AZ
ranged by the Council committee, the pur-
pose being TO give a good time to every
- 70 i-n farsnro1I 10 i,,sY.roccips.
upon visitors rather by our cordiality and
goodwill than by any attempt at magniti-
cence.
The houses on the principal streets have
nevertheless been decorated with flags Of
all nations. At prominent points on Main
and Broad streets handsome arches and
statues have been erected, and at night the
thOroughfares are illumincd by numerous
electric lights. The gay uniforms Of sol
diers returning from Yorktown are seen at
every corner; the weather has been bright
and pleasant; and there is everywhere 4
spirit OF gayety a. universal as ii Is wei
come In staid old Richmond.
Yesterday ObscrVanees.
At about half-past o'clock yesterday the
Richmond IIowitzcrs fired q national salute
WI AllN AAliiANA ANihaAiAf Nli'A hbNhN nun eAi
hour later the Chief Marshal and staff as
scmbled at the Council chamber. The City
Council and Governor Holiday and staff
were by them conducted to the grand
stand where a fine crowd, largely COM
posed Of ladies, was assembled.
PRAYER.
The band played the Star~Spanglcd Ban
Iorripfrfnft hatripo aallQ1
the asscmblage to order, introduced Right
Rev. Bishop f. NJ. Whittle, OF the .Episco-
pal Church, who offered the following
prayer:
O, Almighty God, our Heavenly Father,
vino art the King Of Kings, and Lord OF
Lords, and who dost from Thy throne be-
hold and govern all the nations upon earth,
we desire most humbly and heartily TO
praise Thee for Thy great and unnUmbered
mercies TO Us ~ people during our whole
past history; to confess and repent OF our
manifold transgressions OF Thy righteous
laws; and to implore Thy protection and
blessing for all time to come. We adore
Thee as the God in whom our fathers
trusted, and by whose blessing their labOrs
and sufTcrings for independence were
crowned with success; as the God
whose holy, protecting arm has pre-
served the people of these United
states through many and great pcrils;
has distinguished them by peculiar bless
ings, and given them 4 great name among
the nations Of the earth. We bless Thee
for the dispensatiOns OF Thy providence
and for all Thy goodness youchsaicd to lis,
Thy most-highly favored people. Not unto
us, o Lord; not unto us, but unto Thy
name. be the praise for Thy mercy, and for
Thy truths sake. Grant unto all our pe0-
Dlc, we beSeech Thee, such sense OF Thy
blessings 10 Us that our hearts may be uE-
feinedy thankful and our lives be de-
voted to Thee. Pardon all orr sins, espe-
cially the sins OF irTcligiOn, Sabhath-break-
Ing, profanity, fraud and dishonesty, in
Temperance, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and blood
outlines, by which Thou art insultcd,
and our country is disgraced and cursed.
Forsake us not, q God, and leave us not 10
eat the fruit OF our own doings and to be
filed with our own devices, but may our
country be still under Thy holy care and
protection. BE Thou our shield and our
buckler, ,that we, surely trusting in Thy de-
fence, may not fear the power Of any al
yerSaries. GIVE wisdom, and strength, and
UNION 10 Lllf AhNNNA hAhtAb Aith l'ANlfA' "a
these United States, and especially OF the
State OF Virginia. Bless all who make and
administer our laws, and direct all their
doings TO the advancement OF Thy glory,
the good OF Thy Church, the safety,
honor. and welfare of Thy people I;
that all things may be so ordered
and settled by their endeayors, that peace
and happiness, truth and justice, religion
and piety, may be established among us
for all generations. Bless and prosper Thy
cause in our land. Put an end to atheism,
infdelity, superstition, and false religion,
and grant that that righteousness which
eXalteth nation may abound among Us.
While we are thankful for the great bless
ings of civil and religious freedom, may
we he preserved from trust in ourselves,
and from all vain confidence and boasting
May we never forget, gracious Father, who
il Is that makes us TO diiier from others,
nor use our liberty for a cloak OF malicious
ness, but follow after charity, and the
things which make for peace.
Much reason have we 10 fear, % Lord,
that the sins which prevail in our country,
and our ungrateiul returns for Thy un-
numbered mercies, should provoke Thy
indignation and call Thy judgments upon
us. But we besecch Thee mercifully to
look upon our infrmities, and turn from
Ms the evils which we justly have deserved.
Preserve us,we pray Thee, from desolating
judgments; from selfishness, discord, and
contention. o grant that we may be
united and happy, ever rejoicing in Thy
holy protection. And be mercifm, o Lord,
TO those who have not the blessings which
we enjoy. May light and liberty and pure
and undefled religion be more and more
extended, till all the nations Of the
Garth shall rejoice in Thee, their God. Slay
the time soon come when the mountain OF
the Lords house shall be establishedfn the
ton of the mountains and be exalted above