Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-18
a CITY OF GROWTH.
Many Speeches Touching o. Man
shester's Progress aud Prosperity.
THE CHAMBERS BANQUET.
Feasts Responded 20 by sfsssrs. pnliism,
Taylor, Hancock, Digger, Ellison,
Ingram, Macon, and walker.

Leader Hall was at its best, and the
gathering was one that reflected the vim,
enterprise. and intelligence of the pro-
gTessive city across the James
Over one hundred and fifty representa-
tive men gathered under the electric lights
in the hall and surrounded the two long
tables that stretched from one end Of the
room 10 the other. From Richmond could
be seen Colonel r. @. Rufin. Major A. W.
Hartman, Colonel John Bell Bigger, Mr..
George w. Minter. his Honor Mayor J.
Taylor Ellyson, Messrs. J. II. Montague,
Benjamin III. Qusrles, Polk Miller, James
T.. Gray, William s. Dashiell, Il. r. Selden.
Richard +. Frayser. owner OF the Aercdn-
tie journal; Andrew Knowles. W. ID. De
saussure. William NJ. Hill. James X. Werth,
George e. Fisher. J. Randolph Tucker, A.
Il. Guigon, Benjamin II. Nash, Lewis Win
ston. ID. H. Lynch, John Price. Thomas T.
Campbell, General G. J. Anderson. Major
+. r. Scott, Joseph G. Dickerson, president
of the Board OF Aldermen, and MIR. Fritz
sitterding.
WELCOMED ny THE MAYOR.
Mr.. Ben. p. Owen. Jr. raped the meet
ING TO order, and in clear tones called upon
Mayor A, @. Attkisson 10 deliver the. adj
dress of welcome 70 the distinguished
assembly.
Mayor Atkinson said be had no set speech
TO make. but he pictured Manchester as
not being behind in the race OF progress
He declared that Manchester was high
upon the roll Of progressive cities. lie
welcomed Mayor Ellyson. the Mayor OF
Richmond. That city had close commu-
Mon with Manchester, and Mayor Ellyson
knew what community OF interests meant
He welcomed the press Of Richmond.
blind always to the faults of Manchester
and ready always TO boldly espouse her
cause. He welcomed everybody and made
n speech that did honor to the Mayor
and 10 the city Of Manchester and which
was listened to with profound attention,
frequently interrupted with applause. His
allusion 10 the Leader and its good work
brought down the house.
HOME PEOPLE PRESENT.
Manchester was represented by so many
Of her distinguished sons that II Is hardly
necessary 10 do more then mention the fol-
lowing; Judge S. Bassett French. Messrs.
E.W. Weiseger, G. II. Patterson, DR.. ID. L.
ingram. II. G. Beattie, DR.. Il. z. Dorsett
City-Eneineer Robert Nelson. b. +. Pilson,
w. j. Carter, A. J. Gallagher, John OBrlen,
john G. Rice, d, L; Tonel3 J. "; I If,iey'
A. ]. Daaron, J. G. Robertson,
Thomas Ii. smith, J. r. Perdue,
president of 1.-THE Council, j. W. Bronaugh,
W. l.. Moody, Philip Browder, Fred. X.
Smith, G. ID. Patch. I; y; Owen, u. w.
Nunally, A. d. Shotwell, E. B. Howle, w.
II. Gill, A, I. snelli1gs 5. X. owens ns IT,,
f. Gary, Hubert ID. Owen, ID. 7. Wake II.
From Chesterfield: W. G. Taylor, II. @.
Chamberlayne, John S. Taylor, X. Il. Tay
Tor, T. b. Cersiey, and Others.
Old Manchester.
The first toast was "Old Manchester"
Reeollections of her past bring happy
thoughts TO her old citizens who nursed
her in infancy and who laid the founda-
fions upon which has been built city OF
splendid proportions Her brave and no
be women, pure and fair. All honor to
their memory and high praise to their VIZ
tues.
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never called 20 mind?
Wen take n cup OF kindness here
For the days Of auld lang syne
Mr. David L. Pulliam, in response to this
sentiment, said:
awe have gathered tonight my friends, under
the most favorable auspices in the history OF
our city. On all sides we see the evidences oil
broad growth and solid prosperity From every
eve flashes exultant hope and expectation OF
greater and still greater Advancement. We live
In now era. We stand ON the threshold OF
wonderful development.
ave come from our various ayocs'lons and
businesses--our different pleasures and asplra-
tions-from the heated arena OF daily life, where
the chariot-wheels OF our enterprises and Efforts
often gsten In the light Of triumphant success,
OF are darkened In the dust OF disaster to meet
around the fcstal board. Here, while we partake
OF the enioyments and delights OF the occasion,
the wit that sets the table on roar, the bright
congeniality that softens while II strengthens the
amenities OF life. and gaze into the mirror OF the
hour, where face answeretn unto fnce ana heart
unto heart we mingle, with the laughter and
merrimcnt of the time, the grave affairs OF Dusi-
ness, the practical counsellngs OF that resoiute
spirit Of wisdom and foresight that is ever the
swift-footed harbnger OF n mans and citys
prosperity and achievements; and that crush
the netile danger In the virile grasp OF masterul
effort and energy.
EMINKEcE OF HER PROSPERITY.
Referring In graceful terms TO the suspicious
circumstances under which tho company as
sembled Mr.. Pullinm said that as the warriors OF
oidin the banquet han planned battles Tor the
morrow, so "the warriors Of practical life" came
amid the lightuess Of heart and the sparkle OF
social contact TO plan designs for the future and
Of our minds the thoughts OF our SOULS and the
enterprises that have lived in our brains, which
only needed the touch OF kindred spirits 70 bring
Continuing, Mr.. Pulliam said standing as
we do tonight upon the eminence OF Manches-
ter's life and prosperity, 10 which We have
climbed through the experiences and yicissitudes
Of the past, we can look backwards over her past
splendid memories, around us upon her wonder
ful growth and Advancement and forward over
the broad domain Of her future, Frightening and
20 brighten In the lustre Of the more perfect day.
From the past we learn golden lessons OF expe-
rience, from the present we gather snconrage-
pectaticns Of a great and opulent city. Man
chester was founded by leyel-headed and noted
men Her foundations were laid by such men as
Archibald Cary, William Byrd, hichard Ran
dolph, Richard Adams, Alexander front, James
Lyle, Robert Goode, and Peter Field Trent
NATURAL SITE LoR GREAT CITY.
Hero they perceived the natural site for q
great city. In the topography the beautifully
unauiating contour OF the domain, the graceful
bend u the river, with its picturesque falls and
fne stream that hugs US IN, she splendid and
uneQuAiled waterfront with its unsurpassed
water-power, the location for a harbor and dry
dock for the terminus OF commercial highways
and ship-bnildlng that has no superior on the
continent, unpolluted and unsoilcd rural tefri-
tory TO our South and West which would be
trfbatary.to the town, and would receive and
Den tro s shs ,onsssssf ihe 20" Inr,@orntiSs
hfe-giyers of the summer would blow, bringing
on their wings health and comfort; a saluority
of climate without competitor, and an unlimited
scopo for the growth Of the town ON the fine and
spieudidly located plaieau-sands that lie 20 the
south and west these far-sighted and sagncious
gentlemen saw these things so potent ana es-
sentiai 70 the foundation and growth ct great
city,
THRIFTY ROCKY RIDGE.
Mr.. Pulliam then briefly reviewed the carly
history OF the place, which was chartered by the
House Of Burgesses as Rocky Ridge and which
soon became a thriving and wealthy town, where
congregated on the lovely terraced slopes the
opulent merchant, the busting businessman,
the energetic and successful tobacco factor, the
manufacturer and agent, the learned and indus
trious lawyer. The town. which soon became q
beautiful village, typical Of our English origin,
then comprised 3i2 squares, which wore inter-
spersed without regard 20 tho regularity or
symmetry OF the place, with numerous small
homesteads, which were called plantations. on
which we're erected mo houses and appurte-
nan,s surrounded by lovely gardens In the high
est state Of cultivation and beauty.
Outlying these homestesds and the corporatR
limits were large farms, who're the wealthy goa-~
try Of the country resided and held sway.
The speaker drew 3 vivid picture Of thOse