Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-14
HoNoRrNG ouR GnEsrs-


Banking Company to the General As
sembIy and Our Distinguished Visitors.
The complimentary reception and BAN
quet in honor of His Excellency Governor
stephens, the visiting members of the
State Government and General Assembly,
yesterday, was graceful and merited
tribute paid by the Ocean Steamship and
Central Railroad and Banking Company to
an hOnOred executive and legislative de-
partment.
Early in the afternoon the steamer ST.
Nicholas conveyed the members of the
Legislature and invited guests to the
Ocean Steamship COmpany's wharf,
where the banquet to the distinguished
guests was given on board the magnif-
cent steamship City of Savannah.
On the arrival at the wharf, the guests
were shown over the extensive ware
houses of the company, the cotton COM
press, the grain elevator and the wonder
full improvements of various kinds which
stand as a monument to the enterprise
and genius Of the great corporation. To
many they were a marvel, and to all a
source of pride and qualification.
At 1870 the guests were invited on
board the Cityiof Savannah, where already
in waiting was one Of the most magnif-
cent tables, spread with everything that
could tempt the appetite or please the eve.
When all had taken position, General A.
X. Lawton delivered an address of vel
come, beautiful in its conception and ele-
CANT in diction, and feryent in delivery.
lie paid a high compliment to the fore
sight and untiring energy Of the man VINO
first conceived the idea and carried out
the building of the Central Railroad of
Georgia., Hon. w. w. Gordon, its first
Iresldena He WAS not only a man of
eloquence, but man Of great faith and
strong of purpose, who saw in the great
work before him the prosperity and sue
cess of tle present. He also smoke in
glowing terms of the wisdom and efforts
OF the late Col. VIM. NJ. Wadley, to whose
energy and sagacity the road owes it's
present wonderful prosperity. He was the
founder OF the Ocean Steamship Company
who steamers are the finest of
any e in the world. At the con-
cluslon us admirable address the
guests were seated at the banquet tables.
On account of indispOsition, Governor
stephens could not attend, but was repre-
sented by members of the State Govern
ment and his staff.
There were over oneNhundred and fifty
guests present, embracing the members
of the Legislature and distinguished visi-
tors from other States.
The band of the Third United States
Artillery furnished music for the' sasiOn.
This is one Of the finest bands III l..a SER
vice, and the guests were loud in lts
praise.
Capt. J. W. Catharine, in command of
the City of Savannah, with his well disci-
plined corps of assistants, and Gen. Sor-
rel and Col. VIM. Rogers, were untiring
in their efforts to contribute to the comfort
0ftheir guests, and in dispensing hospital
ity with a layishing hand.
Captain Raoui, the newly elected Presi-
dent of the Central Road, presided at the
banquet with dignity and ease.
The first toast Of the evening was given
by Captain Raoul, "The State Of Georgia, .
and was responded to by Hon. j. 5. Boyn-
ton, President of the State Senate, in a
very happy effort. lie was followed by
Hon. F. G. DuBignOn. of Milledgeville,
with his usual ease and graceful style.
Col. Thomas Hardeman, of Macon,
Congressman at large for the State Of
Georgia, was the next speaker. He is
always eloquent and ready for any Occa-
sion, and his speech yesterday was di-
rected toward the development Of the in
ternal resources of the State, in which the
Central Road is an important factor.
The next toast was given by Gen. Law
ton, THE Georgia Legislature" This
was responded to by Hon. L. f. Garrard,
Speaker Of the House of Repre-
sentatiVes, in an earnest, fOrcible
and pithy speech, showing the relations
between the State Government and rail
road corporations. Hon. Robt. Falligant
introduced Hon. ThOs. Watson, member
from McDutfie county. DR.. II. Y. NJ.
Miller, of Atlanta, was called, and in an
eloquent and earnest manner discOuTsed
upon the relations existing between Up
per and Lower Georgia.
The presiding officer, in short and ap-
propriate address, introduced General
Nelson Wall, of Rhode Island, who re-
ferred to the relations between his own
State and Georgia, and the pleasure of be-
ing permitted to join in the exercises of
the hour.
Senator Tut, of the Twenty-ninth
Senatorial district, responded to a call
from the presiding officer in happy words
and with graceful ease.
Col. j. b. Cumming, in reply to the
toast, augusta" made perhaps the
most polished and finished effort of the
occasion. His main thought was the tri-
umph of intellect over natural disabili-
ties, and that Savannah was a great sea-
port, not because of natural advantages,
but by the achievements of energy and
effort intelligently directed.
Capt. RaOul suggested southwest
Georgia. and called upon Senator j. G..
Parks, of Dawson, who represented his
nest and graceful speech. He offered as
a toast, savannah and her Chief Magis-
trate," which was responded to in very
happy style by His Honor Mayor Lester.
Gen. LawtOn, announcing the reason of
Governor S,ephens' absence, offered a
toast to "Our Governor" which was
drank standing.
Mr.. w. A. Pyle, of Forsyth, offered a
toast in memory of Col. w. NJ. Wadley,
which was drank in silence, standing.
Col. c. w. Anderson responded to repeat
ed calls, and spoke of the success of the
Sesqui-Centennial and the pleasure that
with other citizens of Savannah, he felt
in having the guests with them, and
announced his obligations to the Central
and Savannah, Florida and Western Rail
roads and the Ocean Steamship Company
for their assistance in carrying out the
programme of exercises, and also to the
Third United States Artillery Band for
their presence and stirring music.
Hon. c. 7. Bartlett, of Macon, arose to
repeated calls, in behalf of Macon and
Middle Georgia.
The last toast was offered by President
RaOul: E'The Press" Col. Patrick Walsh,
of the Augusta Chronicle and Con-
StjtUtiOHdliSt, was called for, but
he having retired, Hon. Ben Russell, of
the cambridge Democrat, came forward
and responded in the most humorous and
taking speech of the evening. 1t was a
very happy effort.
The last speech of the occasion was de-
livered by Hon. John Milledge, of Atlanta,
in his usual felicitOus manner, and was
loudly applauded.
During all this display of wit and flow
of soul, the popping cOrks and flowing
champagne furnished diversion and inspi-
ration to the occasion. AS Mr.. Russell
remarked, though corporations may not
have any souls, it was evident they had a
good deal of spirit. Interspersed i'll all these
speeches were many admirable outbursts
of wit and humOr, adding greatly to the
enjoyment of the occasion.
AS the company arose to leave the table,
three hearty cheers were given for the
Central Railroad and its officers.
This was fitting conclusion of the cere-
monies of the lOng-tO-be-remembered Ses-
qui-Centennial of the landing of Ogle-
thorpe and his brave cOlonists upon our
shores.
The steamer St. Nicholas was in waiting
to convey the guests back to the city, and
about 7 o'clock she steamed down the
river to her landing, and the hOnored
guests were disembarked.
Generals Andrew jackson, c. I. Beau
regard and JubaI A. Early.
The military chieftains above named
were brought in strange contact Il few
DAYS ago at New Orleans. La, on the 9th
of January 1888 when the I52d Grand