Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-01-01
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
RICHMOND. Va, Dec. 81, 1893.


has come and gone and is now sweet
memory or sad recollection of the
past-and another year has gone to join
its chronological brothers and sisters IN
the circling caverns of time. How
stands your record in the great Life
ledger of the ages? Peace, like the
arched canopy of heaven above us, has
serenely reigned throughout the year.
While wars and rumors of wars have dis
turbed the quietude and shaken to their
very hearts core many foreign lands.
America has been as favored child
and blessings as numerous as the gifts
of an indulgent parent have been
showered upon her. From the dragged
coast of the Atlantic, where the eastern
song Of the sea begins its morning mu-
sic with the early light, to the distant
shores of the mighty Pacific, where the
western waters lovingly chant an even
ing benediction as the ebbing tide goes
out with the setting sun; from the
snow capped peaks of the far oil north,
to the land where lucious fruits ripen
in everlasting sunshine and the music
of the singing bird never ceases, sweet
peace has reigned supreme and the pic
ture of Virginia, the grandest State in
the grandest country on earth, hangs
within the halls of time to-day, n
masterpiece from this land of promise
and progress. Though financial crisis
has swept the country, Virginia seems
to have stood the storm wonderfully
well. She will start the new year with
renewed vigor and no doubt ere anoth-
er year has passed into an everlasting
goodbye, as sweet lay can be sung
about her prosperity as was ever told
of her peacefulness.
The greatest interest is felt here in
the inauguration of the new Governor
and there probably never was before so
great preparation for similar event
in Richmond. The 'Gray Eagles"
popularity was never shown more
prominently than during the past few
days and his popularity was never more
already visible. People in Richmond
who opposed him prior to the August
convention now vie with his other
friends in doing him honor. People
have been arriving in Richmond for
several days and as tomorrow is
general holiday there is no telling what
an immense crowd will be upon the
streets should the weather be fair.
Col. O'Ferrall was warmly greeted
and welcomed to Richmond yesterday
afternoon and until late in the evening
his apartments at the Exchange Hotel
were crowded with friends His trip
to the capital was without adventure,
except that while the distinguished
party was at dinner in the train Il sud
leu lurch of the cars turned over
dish of soup in the Governor-elects lap,
thereby soiling a fine pair of trousers.
All along the route of Gel. O'Ferrall's
train great crowds Of people assembled
to do him honor, and if there Is any
body in Virginia who thinks the gen
lleman from Harrisonburg was not the
choice of the people, he should have
been on the train and witnessed the
scenes.
Up to the present 70 changes have
been made in the programme already
published in this correspondence. No
positive information has yet been
cleaned as to the coming of Vice Presi-
dent Stevenson and Speaker Crisp, so
their position has not been assigned
and it is really not known if they will
be in the line. Governor Mckinney
and Governor-elect O'Ferrall will oc-
cnpy carriage and Mr. Tyler and Mr..
Kent another. These will probably be
the only carriages in the line.
The military will form on Broad
street, march to the Exchange Hotel
where the Governors party will be
Joined. The parade will follow, and
there the oath of office will be taken.
The new Governor will then adjourn to
the Governors mansion and from the
front portico will review the military,
who will enter the yard from the cap
itol square, pass through aud out on
Capitol street where they will be dis
banded. The parade will consist of
various military companies of this and
other cities in the State, including in
fantry, cavalry and artillery, aud there
will be several bands in line.
Monday night from S to II o'clock
Governor and Mrs. O'Ferrall will hold
a public reception at the Governors
mansion, and will be assisted in recelv-
ing by the committee of arrangements
and probably by committee of ladies
to be named by Mrs. OFerrall.
The society people of the city are
very much interested in our next Gov
ernor They are hoping that the new
executive will make his Administration
as brilliant social success as that of
Fitz. Lee. Those who profess to know
a great deal about Col. O'Ferrall say
that while he is not likely to overdo
the matter of entertaining he will give
frequent public receptions. Right here
it may be remarked that of late fad
with society people in giving entertain
ments for charitable or patriotic pur-
poses has been to secure the use of the
executive mansion. Governor and Mrs.
Mckinney have been exceedingly kind
in allowing the use of their residence
for such purposes.
Gov. Mckinney will return to Farm
Vile and at once resume the practice
of law. Since his administration COM
menced his old law partner, the late
Judge Frank d. Irving, has passed
away. The Governor is one of the
best LAWYERS in the State and is especial
" successful in criminal cases. 1t is
expected that he will soon have Il large
practice. Many of his friends say that
there are more political honors in
store for him and that he may soon
turn up in Congress.
Mr.. Cleveland's friends in Richmond
and vicinity would be very glad to see
him shoot few postmasters when
he gets tired OF shooting duck. Rich