Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-12
THE BAZAAR OPENS
WITH SIMPLE RUT APPRO-
PIRATE EXERCISES.
IMMENSE CROWD PRESENT.
A Beautiful and Striking Pic.
ture-Scenes and Incidents
Many Pretty Booths.


curtain upon an exquisite scene in fairy
land, the beautiful panorama burst upon
the public with all its gorgeousness Of
light and color.
The picture, made moro animated by
the hundreds in attendance, is almost in
describable. The bright rays from the
many electric globes which sparkled
from the ceiling stole in among rich
folds Of bunting that hung on every side
or lost their brilliancy amid the soft
green foliage of the palmetto, pines, and
cedars which served to decorate the
tents, while sweetest strains of mnsic
added inspiration to the occasion and
made the evening more delightful.
The immense hall in which the fair
is held was crowded with people. who
poured through the doors in an unceas-
ing swarm from o'clock until nearly
midnight. Several hours before tho
time for the commencement of the
splendid enterprise everything was in
readiness, and when the lights were
turned on a few minutes before 8 all the
details had been arranged.
THE FORMAL OPENING.
The formal opening took place about
$50 o'clock, when Mr.. d. G. Richardson,
the president OF the Confederate Sol
diers and Sailors Monument Associa-
ton, who occupied seat in the Louisi-
ana and Florida fort at the eastern end
of the hall, arose and requested silence.
he announced TO the great throng who
had assembled in front Of him that it
was customary on such occasions to be-
qin tho proceedings with sprayer, and he
therefore requested Rev. DR.. Moses ID.
uoge to ask the Divine blessing upon the
bazaar. In an instant the busy hum of
conversation and the noises which filed
the place became subdued, and beneath
the verdsnt canopy OF palms which
oyerhung the stand the beloved minis
ter took his place and commenced his
fervent invocation. DR.. Hoge threw
more than his usual earnestness into his
words and bis appeal to the Almighty
was solemn and touching one.
DIR. HOGE's PRAYER.
The prayer was as follows:
Almighty God, gathered beneath this
canopy, under the shadow of the pal
metto and the pine, surrounded by the
banners epdeared to us by the memories
thew awaken, we come to invoke Thy
blessing on the patriotic work OF the
women of our southland. We come to
renew the tender and hallowed rccollec-
tions OF the past to perpetuate the fame
and the glory of our departed dead to
implore thy benediction on the States
here Represented : to welcome those who
come from their distant homes to aid il
hOnoring those who gave to our Lost
Cause their labors and their lives. We
come TO entreat Thy continued favor to
all the States OF this Union from north
to south and from east to west TO COM
mend to Thy gracious care the President
Of these United States and all who arc
associated with him in maintaining the
institutions bequeathed to us by brave
and pious fathers.
Lord, we beseech Thee, prompt to all
that is right and pure, restrain from all
that is hurtful and wrong in the man
agement Of this memorable festival
may there be harmony of feeling and
unity OF Gction ; may there be sympathy
and generous cooperation on the, part
of the whole community in bringing
this undertaking TO q successful termi-
nation, SO that nothing may mar our
happy remembrance OF these scenes
when we come TO review our completed
work.
We invoke the divine blessing on the
regiment, to whose hospitality We are
indebted for this welcome within this
ball, consecrated to yalor and TO tho de-
fence of orr homes and Of the city in
which we dwell. We pray for the main
tenance of peace and for tho prosperity
Of the people Of our whole land and for
the universal reign of justice, truth, aud
righteousness, until Thy way shall be
known on the earth and Thy saving
health among all nations, and TO God
most high we will asc-ibe all honor and
glory forever. Amen.
Address OF Mr.. Richardson.
When DR.. Hoge concluded his prayer
Mr.. Richardson, who acted as chairman,
in eloquent language explained the OBJ
iect of the bazaar to his auditors. He
said
Ladies and Gentlemen, Twenty
eight years ago we saw the banner of the
Confederacy forever furled on the field
of Appomattox we saw 1t go down IN
defeat and gloom, and although the re-
QUEEN of our hopes was sounded. yet
the tender and loving words of our i'm
mortal commander lifted tho burden Of
grief from our hearts, and we stood
proudly erect as men who had been de-
feated but not dishonOred, and we re-
turned to our homes with the assurance
that our loved ones there-the noble and
patriotic women Of our loved South
land-would welcome our return, appre-
ciate our tolls and sacrifices, and ever
keep in loving remembrance the pa
triotism and yalor of those of our COM
rades in arms who had given their liyes
for the land they loved.
INTEREST OF THE YOUNG.
And now tonight, although nearly
three decades OF years have winged
their flight and new generation has
come upon the stage of action, it re-
ioices our hearts to know that not only
those who were participants in the
scenes OF those fonr years Of warfare
still honor the memory OF our dead
heroes. but the children and grand
children OF those who fought beneath
the southern cross are loyal to the
memory of their sires, and that
wherever they may be they are always
proud to say "My father was
Confederate soldier"
The South has given 20 the world men
whose names and fame now shine re-
splendent as the stars and will grow
brighter as the years roll on.
We honor our great leaders and we
also honor the private soldier who fought
in the ranks. by whose fortitude, devo-
ton, and valor our generals were enabled
TO achieve their successes and win their
undying fame.
Yes, we honor the private soldier, tho
man whose fortitude under hardship
tested the stoutest heSrt, whose devotion