Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-24

si<e~0ss<yses rAnersa's Esmssis.
The New Orleans Times says: The
<pstom Of State days or receptions at
the State headquarters is becoming gen
sral, and has already given TO the com
miskicncss and Exposition visitors gen
orally several enjoyable entertainments.
California led off with her gold annivcr-
rAsy, soon TO be followed by the very
sgretaSle evening entertainment Of New
Mexico. The delightful .fstes at New
Hampshire and Vermont are still
fsesh in the memory Of all, and now
Virginia caps the climax with yestcr-
days celebration. These State days
are more than nero gatherings for plea
sure they enable the delegates from all
pectioss Of the Union 10 meet and TO OK"
change views; they serve to tear away
sectional barriers. TO strengthen national
tics, and to promulgate and fix firmly
those principles OF fraternal dependence
the establishment Of which Is the grand
purpose Of this Exposition.
The scene Of the reception yesterday
wss the Virginia headquarters, roomy
apsce at the wall-cnd OF the exhibit OF
that State. The floor is covered with q
durable carpet; broad windows let in
sgencrsus supply Of light, and the size
Of the apartment is such as to accom-
snodste q large audience. The walls
are covered with oil paintings, engrav-
ises, and photographs. On the wall OF
she alcove, where food Of light falls
directly upon it, is large painting OF
"Custer's Last Rally" by }. A..
Elder. The artist has succeeded
well in depicting the fierce de-
termination Of the ycllow-haired sol
der as he tries to urge on his men, the
whirl Of battle on every side, and des-
peration stamped on every face. The
wall opposite is covered with ancient
documents, writings, and the auto
graphs Of virginia's noted sons, and
they are many. Here are letters writ
zen by Thomas Jefferson at different
periods in his life, from the one written
by the child at school to his grand
father in which he begs pardon for his
srrors--to the official writings Of the
President Of the United States.
On screens built for the purpose are
rows Of portraits Of virginia's worthless.
Captain John Smith and Pocahontas
are there as if TO disprove the nineteenth
century iconoclasm which affects to dis
believe their romantic episode. Queen
} Elizabeth, Lord Culpeper, Henry Clay,
Patrick Henry, James Monroe, and
scores Of other famous c0untenances
look down upon the guest, while in the
centre is the benign countenance Of
George Washington. The headquarters
are comfortably furnished, and, in adj
dition to appointments of modern style,
the desk Of John Randolph Of Roanoke
and the piano Of Mrs. Madison are there
as ambassadors from Virginia's historic
past.
THE CEREMONIES.
AT about ! O'Clock the music began
and soon after the large crowd that had
assembled parted, and Governor Came
rem, of Virginia, accompanied by Acting
Commissioner Finney, entered, followed
by the Governors staff. After short
pause Colonel Finney presented Com
missioner-General Morehead, who ex-
pressed his sense of the honor conferred
upon him in having been selected to
welcome to New Orleans and to Louisi-
ana Governor Cameron of Virginia,
and the distinguished gentlemen
Of his party. The State of Virginia
is great in all her resources-agri-
cultural. mineral, and commercial and
her exhibit here shows that, aided by
her bright and beautiful women and
her energetic men, brilliant feature is
in store for her. No formal welcome,
said the speaker, need be extended by
Louisianians to Virginians, yet he de-
sired, on behalf of the management and
the people, to welcome Governor Came
ron and his party, and to express the
wish that great results might spring
from their efforts and those Of all who
had contributed TO this great national
enterprise.
Colonel Morehead then introduced
Governor Cameron, who delivered
short address that went directly to the
hearts Of all his hearers that touched
in them their most noble sentiments
and that produced on all lasting effect
for good. lie thanked the people as
for the honor done to Virginia
through him as her representative, and
TO New Orleans and to Louisiana
he could only say, GOD bless
you both" Virginia owes to Louisiana
a debt never to be paid or to be forgotten.
Years ago Louisiana sent her best
and purest sons to do valiant battle on
hard-iought fields in Virginia. Beneath
the meadow grasses Of the old Virginia
State the bones of Louisiana boys now
lie whitening, and virginians will ever
regard them az sacred heritage,
trust always to be guarded with
care. Though We arc here to-
day representing united coun-
try, yet there are still chords in
our hearts that when touched Vi
brate with solemn melancholy. We con-
graduate you now on the grand exhibit
Of our common country's greatness.
and we thank God for this new oblitera-
ton Of barriers raised by sectional hs-
tired. In coming here We testify to the
interest felt by us in every single State.
We will do what we can TO further the
interests Of the Worlds Fair, that we
may show the world that in the United
States is refuge for all who seek
happy homes.
The speaker closed amid deep feeling
and generous applause on the part ofthe
audience. The Hon. Mr.. Hudson, of
New Orleans, was then introduced and
made q brief address, in the course Of
which he stated that he was glad to be
introduced as a citizen Of New Orleans,
for Louisiana was indeed his adaptive
State, but on that day he remembered
with pride his Virginia origin. Virginia
is here, surrounded by galaxy not
Of sister States, for the States bear to
her the relations rather Of children and
grandchildren, As in honoring our
mothers We honor ourselves, so in hon
oring Virginia each State does honor to