Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-23
oANoUETs BY THE MILITARY.
Reunions OF the Blues and Grays-Ihe
Governor and Others Spoke.

Governor and Others Spoke.
One hundred and fifty men. true loyal
V;rginians and soldiers, acting and con-
tributing members of the Blues Associa.
ton and their friends seated themselves
around the festive boards IN the pretty
dining-room on the second floor at Muir
phys Hotel last night at o'clock. and an
event unparalleled in the history OF that or
Qanization IN point of general enjoyment
was the result. 1t was simply a reunion
and served as reminder OF past
events. In this gay throng were:
Governor Mckinney, Mayor Ellyson, Judge
Flournoy, Major b. w. Richardson, Colonel
j. Bell Bigger, Captain Z. j. Levy. Everett
Wsddey, John s. Rady, Charles Z. kady,
Allen G. Collins, L. O. Younger. James
Lambert. Captain George W; JARVIS. q; W
White, James Medlicott. A. j. Berry. w. u.
Shook, nj. S. Blount, Captain +. W. Gun
ningham, Major w. Kirk Matthews.
COLONEL MURPHY AT HIS BEST.
The tables were artistically dressed and
heavily laden with goodies, while the
LIQUID embellishments were in profusion.
Colonel Murphy was at his best and the
pretty arrangement of everything IN the
COW little supper-room manifested skill
and art. Major b. W. Richardson, the old
eat member of the Blues and president OF
the association, was toastmaster. and the
first sentiment was George Washington"
1t brought Hon. II. w. Flournoy to his
feet.
REFRESHING OF MINDS.
Judge Flournoy said it was not expected
that he would say something about George
Washington that every one did not know.
but he did think il was well for people TO
come together once in awhile and refresh
their minds concerning the history OF
eieat men of the country, even though
they may know 1t all.
There was a time when the brillIancy of
Washington was hidden by the history OF
Bonaparte, but withal the latter lies in his
grave cursed by four fifths OF humanity,
while George Washington lies honored
and revered by ALL He said he thought
there was something unique and beautiful
that the Oldest military company III this
country should come together to do honor
10 this great man. He asserted that the
Blues had stood together longer than any
other military organization IN the land.
Washington was not the father of tyranny.
but the father of liberty and freedom.
Judge Flournoy paid graceful. tribute
to Major Ii. w. Richardson. president of
the Blues Association, terming him the
oldest active member of any military or
eaniZation.
THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS.
When he concluded his remarks the toast
master announced the toast Virginia"
which was responded to by. Governor
Mckinney. He said that he did not agree
that there we're no great men now IKE
Washington, jefferson. Napoleon. and 30
on. He believed that as We grow older we
grow greater. The Governor gave inter
esting statistics showing that Virginia Is
growing and steadily improving in every
departure. He asserted that we are gong
mi
What was Richmond thirty years ago
Smouidering ruins everywhere. And
now, magnificent buildings everywhere.
and health and prosperity among her peo--
pie. You then thought the prospect OF
Virginia was dead, but you have rallied
You can't keep down those people. wish
this military company had the power TO
these "croakers" in Richmond. lap
plause.l Why, some of them thought we
were not going to settle the public debt.
But, thank God, we have settled 1t.
CAN MEET OUR OBLIGATIONS.
iva have got money enough in our
treasury to-day TO meet ali of our obliga-
tions, and they will never hear any heavier
than they have done heretofore"
Then. continuing, the Governor said !:
I've were too poor in 1876 to go to Phila-
delphia, and now we have paid our debts
and are gong to Chicago. And we are 60
ing to carry our minerals, and our tobac-
co, and our corn, and above all want us
TO carry our women there tgreat applausel.
our ladies stand up beside those Dig-footed
creatures out there. Tremendous APP
plause.]
"Virginia which il to come is greater
and grander than she has ever been in the
past" asserted the Governor. Then speak.
ing Of the oyster question. the Governor
said: This General Assembly has not
only settled the debt, but Is going to pro-
vide the means to pay 1t with without
crushing your people"
"RIcRxoND."
Richmond" was the sentiment which
was 90 ably expounded by Hon. j.. Taylor
ington to Richmond years ago, when the
great statesman said he hoped this dear
old city would some day rank with other
cities in population. financial Importance,
and manufacturing and industrial institu.
tiops. He referred to the invaluable as
sistance that the Blues had rendered Rich
mond In times when dark clouds lowered
over her, and said he felt that this same
organization would always stand By our
dear old city.
WOMAN"
OOAOuo5 SOun Doll ASt8kct WIS enVA OosaVsx
ppon TO respond to the toast, :" Woman"
Tho jocose Colonel said that this was two
birthday anniversaries that he was cele-
bratiug--that Of Washington, the father OF
bis country. and that OF his own father,
Colonel Thomas Ball Bigger, who was once
captain Of the Blues. Then, with . beauti-
ful eulogy 70 the subject, ne closed.
Impromptu speeches were made by Mr..
y. ". Richardson. Captain Sol Cutchins.
Ar. Everett Wsddey, Lieutenant w. B. Pix
s1nis ex-QuaEtsrmastef A. q. Collins, and
others.
Songs were delivered By Private J. r.
6tsinberRer and several other members Of
the company.
The a6air va an svsnt ID the history Of
the Muee calling mp semIn1ooonoos Of days
and incidents OF by-gone timeA
Ths 0rays Nave = nsnusss.
The Hichmond 0rAys were n anything
bot ( Wnxliks humox last night, and IL
though they celebrated the natal day Of
that Rreot American soldier. Washington.
these Wee npthins except ~ bright uni
5ksls thasehai ~ tv6s 49, q niljtn1y