Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-23
A BRILLIANT BANQUET.

A BRILLIANT BANQUET.
EAREWELL TO Mr.. KELLEY.
Preachers and People Present 20 Testify
Their Eueem- speeches by Governor w.
T.. Cameron, Or. }. L. N. Carr, Colsssi
r. ,. Evans. Colonel samuel =. Paui, W.
Gordon mecabe, Colonel John u. Carr, asd
Hon. A. N. KELLEY.
Last night one Of the most repre-
sentative gatherings that has met in
Richmond for many long day, If ever
at all, assembled at Sanger Hall. The
occasion was complimentary banquet
rendered the Hon. Am. Kelley, Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo-
tentiary from the United States to Italy.
hr. Kelley, as the former mayor of
Richmond and its late city attorney,
has made host of friends here Of all
classes, creeds, and professions, ire
spective of political faith. Consequent
ly when it was announced that he had
been honored as an envoy Of the United
States at a foreign court hts fellow-citi-
zens determined to tender him the ban
quet which took place last night.
The supper was spread in the large
hall in the Sanger-Hall building. There
were eight tables, set in the form Of q
wheel, the centre, or hub, being large
pyramid Of roses, surmounted with the
waving colors of Italy--red, white, and
green.
The table at which Mr.. Kelley sat
was very richly ornamented with the
same colors. and beautiful bou-
Quet was snugly hiding in every napkin
on the table. Mr.. Charles l.. Siegel,
the proprietor, had done wonders in
making the room attractive, and in sys-
temizing matters so as to have every
thing run smootly.
There were large number Of gen.
tlemen in evening full dress, and snowy
shirt-fronts and spike-tail coats were
the order Of the evening. Voelker's
brass band occupied the stage, and at
intervals made soft and sweet music.
At five minutes to 9 9o'clock the band
struck up a lively march, and Mr.. Kei-
ley, escorted by Captain W. F. Drink
ard, entered the hall and moved to the
table in the centre Of the hall. His Ex-
cellency, Governor William z. Cameron,
followed, and in a few minutes the
guests were standing opposite their
seats. Mr.. Drinkard then announced
that Rev. DR.. j. j. Lafferty would in
woke blessing. This was done, when
Captain Drinkard invited all to be
| seated.
THE LADIES.
Just before the speaking commenced
score or more of ladies came into the
hall and occupied seats which had been
prepared for them. A gallant Vir-
gnian remarked as the ladies took their
seats: "A galaxy of beauty adds to
the interest of the OCCASION" Their
presence caused great cheering from
every part Of the hall.
OPENING THE BALL.
At the proper time Captain Drinkard
arose and said:
Gentlemen Having been selected to
preside upon this occasion, ! proceed to
the discharge of the duties Of the chair.
| feel profoundly sensible of the honor
done me, and Of my deficiencies. But
| will merely borrow word from the
gentleman who presided at the late ban
quet to Mr.. Pendleton in Cincinnati,
and say that some other person would
have performed in more acceptable
manner the graciosities " of the occa.
sion. Gentlemen, the proceedings Of
the evening up to this time have been
quite entertaining, but | believe that
you will find the "graciosities" " still
more interesting. We have had feast
Of substantials. Let us now have what
the papers style "a feast of reason and
a flow of soul"
1t is not often that it is proper
for us to tell a man to his face
exactly our opinion of him, whether
we think i'll or well Of him. But
this is one of those rare occasions.
We have assembled this evening for the
express purpose of saying to his face just
what we think of our honored towns
man, Hon. A. NJ. Kelley, Minister to
Italy, and he will have to submit with
such grace az he can command. How
ever, for good reasons we will begin by
drinking to the man who occupies the
most exalted station in the world
first, because our country should fill
the highest place in our hearts at all
times; and secondly, because it was he
who afforded us this rare pleasure.
To respond to that toast the committee
has selected man truly representative
of the whole country--One who is
known and dhonored from Maine to Texas,
and from Virginia to California-one
who has addressed more legislatures
and Other public bodies, suppose, than
any other man in the United States. |
mean the Hon. }. L. NJ. Curry. Cen
tlemen, ] give you
1.-The President oGthe United States. "
DIR. CURRY'S SPEECH.
Hon. j. L. NJ. Curry, being called
upon, responded substantially:
Within a very brief period President
Cleveland has confirmed the popular
choice by showing extraordinary adapt
edness to the delicate and responsible
duties Of his high office. The prophecy
Of success, made in the admirable Sc
lection of his Cabinet, has been early
actualized in historic fact. The best
compliment that could be given, as well
as the best assurance of continued wis.,
dom, is that the extreme and violent,
both of supporters and opponents, are
dissatisfied. In his administration Mr..
Cleveland has borne himself so well
that it seems as if he were President by
natural selection as we'll as by sur
yival of the fittest. To republican Sim
plicity, undisturbed composure, ad-
herence to convictions, fidelity to prin-
ciples and truth. he has added those
high qualities and capacities which mark
the patriot and the statesman and make
| r n n