Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-23

have inexhaustible beds OF wealth-pro-
ducing minerals, metals. and stones, I'M
bounded forests OF oak, ash. hickory,
pine. locust. walnut. hemlock, and spruce.
We have a soil rich and kind and d.
versined in character, producing abun-
dainty all the cereals and grasses. cotton.
rice. and tobacco. and all the vegetables
and fruits known to the vegetable and
horticultural kingdoms. We have water
powers unsurpassed. and rivers and bays
upon whose bosoms the navies and mer-
chant crafts of the globe could float.
But. while we are glad the lines have
fallen to us In such pleasant places. we
are neither vain nor boastful. selhsh
nor exclusive. We invite the good and
vrtuous OF every State and cline TO
come and share with us our blessings.
While we are Southerners, we. are
Americans. too. We have our sectional
memories that no cruel hand can take
from us. no brave man would pluck
from us: but we have our national me-
mories, also, which, like precious jewels
we treasure. We rejoice that we are part
Of this understandable union of indestruc-
tible States" We love the Constitution
and cherish the glories that encircle II:
and. in the language OF one OF the most
ihustrious men this country has pro-
duced. we regard 1.-The open enemy to
box open. and the disguised enemy as
the serpent creeping with his deadly wies
into Paradise
THE SPIRIT OF FRATERNITY.
Mr.. Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen.
while the value OF this splendid display
cannot be overestimated. and We grow
prouder every hour as we view the EVIL
dence Of our advancement in all the
avenues which lead to national power.
another service has been rendered which
could not be overdrawn by any word
painting of the most eloquent tongue.
Georgia has swung wide open he'
gates. and attracted to this once strongly
fortified and Iong-besieged city thousands
of citizens OF her sister States or the
North and South. Here the people or
the two sections I'm multitude have met,
conversed and commingled, and learning
to know each other better. fraternal feel-
ing now lives I'm breasts where estrange-
ment had dwelt. The blue and the gray.
too. have gathered in social intercourse
on these fields once trodden hard by the
contending armies have fought their
battles over under the lowering wings
Of the angel Of peace; drank to the
health of each other. and to the memo
ries OF the heroes who fell under the
flag that now rustles its silken folds
above us. and that other banner-tat-
tered staff broken and shattered whose
valiant hosts are scattered.
over whom IL foated high"
How appropriate it is, too. for these
fraternal greetings TO occur within
Atlanta's precincts. for It was from them
a young southerner went forth a few
years since to preach the Gospel of re-
Cancellation. as well as herald the dawn
ing OF a new era In southern life and
progress. Every age raises up men for
some special and peculiar work. 1t may
be TO lead in battle. brave the dangers
OF UNEMPLOYED regions. ride the pillows
Of unnavigated seas. to bride the fury
Of unrestrained ambition. direct crusades
against perncious doctrines. reform
abuses. or conduct thought back into the
channels from which IT may have been
driven by the storm OF internecine strife.
HIS TRIBUTE TO GRADY.
The South needed neither warrior,
explorer. navigator. crusader nor re-
former: but she wanted one who had the
courage and ability TO defend her against
aspersion, refute falsehood and drive
deep the truth and who at the same
time. was free OF sectional prejudices.
and had been endowed with the power
awaken the reason, and arouse the pa
triotism OF the people, and make them
realize that the war was over, that the
brave men Of the South were faithful
TO their pledges. and the time had
arrived when equal rights and equal con-
fidence should prevail throughout the
broad limit OF this union OF States-this
priceless heritage. The occasion and ne
cessity produced the man. He came forth
from the retirement OF a private citizen.
with no trumpet blast. no sounding
cymbals. no rolling drum. no loud
acclaim. There was no wrinkle In his
brow. no silver thread in his locks. Only
few years Of life's experience rest
cd upon his shoulders but he was fully
armed and panoplied with the right. and
that has ever been might. He proceed
ed on his mission, and soon the whole
land was thrilled with his stirring words
and charming eloquence; and. almost
within the cycle of n single day, he
became famous, and his name honored
in every home where beat a pa triotic
heart. He had only kindled the fire in
one northern city, but 1t had spread like
freedoms holy flame" of old. God in
His inscrutable wisdom. cut him down
early but. short as was his mission, II
was full OF results. 1t brought resto-
ration OF charity and generosity, fra
ternal feeling. kindred interests. and pa
triotic fervor. and awakened a spirit
that recognized this as our country,
however bounded or described-Our coun-
try. 10 be cherished I'm all our hearts-to
be defended by all our hands"
Within the sound Of the voice Of this
city, for which he did so much. he sleeps.
To his grave pilgrims wend their way 10
pay tribute TO his memory. In the market
place. where the busy throng pass 10
and fro day by day, proudly stands a
monument OF mperishable marble, pre-
serving the life-like form and commence
rating the virtues OF Henry Wooden
Grady.
The VIRGINIA SOCIETY.
But | must soon conclude. This is
neither the time nor the occasion for me
to detain you at length. Pardon me If
trespass a few minutes longer upon your
patience. In this presence | feel an cleo
trio current Of sympathy coming up from
the many before me tingling through my
nerves, warming my blood, and quicken
ing my pulsations. stand before band
Of brothers. who, though they have lefi
the arched roof OF their mother State 10
seek their fortunes under Georgias sky,
their thoughts wander back IN flial love
and yeneration to that heritage Of hero,
patriot. sage.
1t is a browning characteristic OF
Virginian never to forget nor disown his
State. She may be ashamed of him, but
he Is never ashamed of her; and II he Is
treadng in forbidden paths In some dis
tant cline, the reflection that he was
born in the old Commonwealth and was
disgracing the title he bears will arouse
his deadened spirit. and. perchance. call
him back into the ways of rectitude and
virtue
Members OF the Virginia Society of At
lanta: Your native State has observed
your careers with genuine pleasure. The
honorable places you have carved for
yourselves in the confidence and esteem