The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-03-25

IlOndTN WuI-iH tNtli NDlCD 'ht'Ns
secured the genial recognition OF the Con-
gress OF the United States, the thirteen orr
ginaI States who contended with the mother
country for'their freedom, and OF France,
who aided them so eflectualy III It's
atainment-has been Of late steadily
growing, and last night bad It's
first visible and public expression
in the assembling OF several thousand OF
our citizens at the Exchange Hotel to ASST
in the formal openin@ OF the rooms OF the
Yorktown Centennial Association. The
promptness with which our military, citi'
Zens. and civic societies addressed them
selves TO the pleasing duty is no less grail
fvinc as a recognition Of the claims which
the battle OF Yorktown should have on the
memory OF every citizen Of Virginia. but Is
otherwise an assurance rs well that our peo-
pie are determined that neither the United
| States. any one other OF the original thlr-
teen States, or France snail surpa>s them IN
the c0rdiality OF their welcome OF The COM
ing anniversary as the GROWING military
epoch in their hrSt state OF existence.
At g O'Clock the meeting, which consisted
OF Governor Holiday, the officers OF the
Association, and large number OF promi-
nfnt citizens, was called 10 order in the
future Office OF the Yorktown Centennial
I AS>OCillIOD, w lIblIl anu HNlpluih7 wv N''iNN
of that hotel, by Hon Jonn Goode, presl'
dent Of the Association. Mr.. Goode slld
that in accordance with provision OF the
charter they had obtained their principal
office was TO be established in the city OF
Richmond, and they had assembled there
Tonight to make puOlIc declaration OF the
objects and purposes in so dOiu@. As a
flung commencement Of the proceedings
he called upon The Right Rev. Bishop j. J.
Keane to offer ur
THE OPENING PRAYER.
Bi,hop keme then came forward ana
with great earneStneSS and fervOr PRAYED 4:
On. Almighty God Onr Father in heaven,
our first thought tonight i OF Thee, ana TO
Thee first Of all we turn to invoke InS
blcssi.g on the work we now begin. we
come 70 Thee with grateful as well a. trust
| ing hearts, for we know that the great event
which we are preparing tn commemorate
was the work OF Thy Overrnling providence.
and that all the blessings that have n0Wed
| flo ON it have come from Thv hand. on lDOu
Giyer of every good gift. We adore Thee,
oh Almighty Ruler of mankind, bo hold
eth the nations In The hollow OF Thy hand
and sbaDest their desiincs in wisdom and
Justice and mercy. We believe and confess
| that Tby wisdom traced our cOuntry's ca
reer. and Thy band guided and sustained
the patriots who placed her feet on her dcs-
tined pathway. Thou. Oh Lord Of Hosts,
dtd.t fight her battles and win her victories,
and Ipnk her among the nations OF the
world, and Thou hast crowned her with
prosperity and greatness beyond them all.
For all ;hi-. oh God, we bless Thee with
the deepest ihankfulness; and especially do
we thank Thee for this great victory, which
mt Thy seal on her independence and
gratefully do we rejoice that Thou didst
grant it within The borders Of our own be-
loved Virginia.
Deign. then. oh Heavenly Father, to be-
stow Thv bountcous blessing on our com
Imemoration of this great event. EnkindIC
in the hearts OF all our people that holy tire
OF patriotism which will make all rejoice
together in our common heritage Of free
dom. and strive together in fraternal rivalry
10 make our festival worthy OF our love fol
orr country and our gratitude 10 Thee
Grant, oh God OF union and fraternal love
that the commemOTation OF the heroic pasl
NAV renew in the hearts Of our gene
ration the civic virtues which TbOJ
didst then 30 signaly bless, that the las
cmbprs Of sectional anmosiiy being eXtln
euiScd, and all selti>hnes> OF aim ana mar
rowncss Of mind being taken away, all who
share in our country's glory may labor to
oether for orr cOuntry's welfare, and ad
vance together towards the glorious destiny
which we trust Thou hast in store Tor her
We ask il for the love OF Thy dear Son. Oul
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who laugh
us bv His example to love our country. ant
10 whom. with Thee and the Holy GDost, b'
praise and glory forever and ever. Amen
81, II ri l.
ing was continued out in the open air be
tween the Exchange and Ballard House
where
THE GREAT MASS-MEETING
OF military, German singing societies, anj
citizens generally had congregaed TO th,
number Of about 1000. Locomotive head
lights had been placed on the bridge, in tb'
entrance TO and IN windows Of the Ballard
Housn, which, with The burning OF cOlOreC
lights, Illuminated the surroundings. TuC
II. l.. !. Blues and the Richmond How
itzrrs arriving first, were soon followed
bv the FiISt virginia regiment, com
mandcd hy Colonel j. b. Purcell. and head
ed bv Voelker's Band. The military mad,
= most creditable show. their rams bein.
unusually well tiled and their marching anC
manGuyrcs excellent.
Then came a long line OF German singing
societies, who had previously marched
through the city from sanger Halle. They
all carried lighted Chinese lanterns. and
beaded by Kess,uich's Band, made a highly
creditable display. Fireworks were shoI Of
along the line Of march, and it must bC
truly said that our German citiZen> eX
hibitcd Il most commendabe spirit OF pa
lt,iotiSm and whole-Soued enthusiasm. Tht
singing societies, with Il chorus Of >Om'
two hundred voices. under the direction OI
Professor &. l.. Siceel, were represented by
the Gpsanoycrein Virginia, the Deut>chel
Mannerchor, and Deutscher Liederkraniz.
There were present his Honor Mayor Car
ringion. members OF the City Council
Chamber OF Commerce, Commercial Club
and Tobacco Exchange.
GOVERNOR HOLIDAY
appearing, addressed the meeting as fol-
lows:
M Feliou. Citizens Last October a yea
400 the people Of Yorktown and vicinity
assembled and resolved TO celebrate the AN
niyersary of the surrender a. preliminary Il
liz one hundredIh celebration. IL was re
ceiyed with favor surprising their eXpec,a
tions, a vast crowd gathering on the ap
pointed day, composed OF citizens ana sol
diers. in which the naval and military force
Of The United States stationed in that yicini
ty Joined, and addresses OF welcome anC
oIations were delivered. and the propriety
of q centennial recognition was warmIy en-
dorseG.
In the same month a meeting OF the Gov
ernors OF the old thirteen states was beld II
independence Hall, IN the city OF PhiIadel
phia, for the purpose of inauSurating pro
ceedings looking to the same end. Thl,
meeting was held in that city by invitation
OF It's authorities and the authorities OF
pennsylyai,ia. and the interest and enthu-