Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-10-28
oLsYsLAND IN RIoHmosD.
AZ the Fair GrOunds-'Ghe Presiden-
thai salute Fired.

RICHMOND, VA, Oct. 21.-The Presi-
dental party arrived at Elba station,
West Broad street, shortly before noon,
where they were met by the governor of
the state and the reception COMMITTEES
with proper escort and conveyances.
A few minutes drive brought the party
to the fair grounds, and as the head Of
the line filed into the main entrance the
Presidential salute of q guns was fired
by the Richmond Howitzers.
Inside the gates drawn up in line were
the military, consisting of the First Kegi-
ment Virginia Volunteers, Richmond Light
Infantry Blues and three companies Of
visiting soldiers also battalion of
colored troop.
As the carriages bearing the President
and cabinet officers passed, the military
remained at present arms Welcoming
shouts of the many thousands greeted the
President along the route to one Of the
main buildings, where the party was to be
received.
The guests were ushered into the office
of the president of the agricultural 30
ciety, where the members of the re reception
committee and few other distinguished
citizens, were formally introduced
Half an hour later the President, taking
the arm Of Gov. Lee, made their way
cheered by the shouts Of 10000 voices TO
the veranda OF the office building and
faced the welcoming multitudes.
The huzzas having ceased, Col. Robert
Beverly, president of the agricultural
society, stepped forward and introduced
Gov. Lee, who made an address, dwelling
ou the necessity for scientific agriculture.
4 laA Aks.
President was introduced by Colonel
Beverly, who in behalf Of the farmers of
Virginia welcomed him to their state.
Deafening and prolonged cheers and wild
waving of hats and handkerchiefs greeted
him. in clear voice, loud enough to be
heard upon the borders of egreat multi
tude, he spoke as follows:
FelIoso.cittsens of Virginia: While l
thank you most sincerely for your kind
reception and recognize in its heartiness
the hospitality for which the people of
Virginia have always been distinguished,
l am fully aware that your demon
stration of Welcome is rendered not
to an individual but TO an incumbent
of an office which crowns the government
of the United States. The state of Vir-
einiR, the mother Of Presidents, seven of
whose sons have filled that high Office, to-
day greets President, who for
the first time meets Virginlans
upon Virginia soil. 1 congratulate myself
| that nv first introduction TO the people
of Virginia occurs OF time whom they
are surrounded by the exhibits
Of the productiyeness and prosperity
OF their state. Whatever there is,
| ia here exemplihed. In our sisterhood of
states the leading and most commanding
| place must be gained and kept by that
commonwealth which, by the labor and
| intelligence of her citizens, can pro-
duce the most of those things
| which meet the necessities and
desires of mankind. But the full
advantage of that which may be yielded
to state by the toll and ingenuity of her
people is not measured alone by the
money value of the products. The
efforts and the struggles of the farmers
and her artisans not only create
new values in the fields OF
agriculture and in the arts and manufac-
tilres, but they at the same time may be
in honor in her history, and however
much of pride there may be in her
traditions, her true greatness produces
rugged ,self-reliant and independent men,
and cultivate that product which more
than nll others 80 ennobles state, patri-
otic. earnest American citizenship. This
will flourish in every part o.
the American domain. Neither drought
nor rain can iniure it, for it takes root III
true hearts, enriched by love OF conatry.
There are no new varieties in this pro
duotion il must be the same wherever
seen, and its quality is neither sounc
nor genuine unless it grows to deck anc
beautify All entire and united nation, nor
unless it supports and snstains tht
institutions and the government
founded TO protect American ND
erty aud happiness The present
administration of the government Il
nledoed TO return for such husbandty NO
only promises but actual tenders o.
fairness and Justice with equal protection
and a full participation in natlona
! achievements. If in the past we have
been estranged and the cultivation O
American citizenship has been interrupted
; vour enthusiastic welcome OF to.ua,
I demonstrates that there is an end to suct
! estrangement, and that the time OF sus
! nicion and fear is succeeded by an era O
! faith and confidence. In such I
kindly atmosphere and beneath suef
. cheering skies, greet the pso
!. nile Of Virginia as co'iahoferi
Q in the field where grows IN,
I, love of our united country. Goc
Y grant that in the years to conn
!. Virginia-the old dominion, the motnel 1,
!, Of Presidents, she who looked on tn
Q nation at its birth--mny not only IN
}. crease her trophies of growth in agricui
7 ture and manufactures, but ina
!, she may be among the first OF all tn
I st,,tes in the cultivation of true Amerlcal
o citizenship.