Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-01

vlCE-PRESlDENT STEVENSON.
4 Magnificent Speech on The Federal
Constitution Made by Him.
MANY LADIES IN ATTENDANCE.
Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton Listen 10 and Enjey the Flow
of Reason InduIgcd In by the Sons
and Their Guests.

tIonai Society OF the Sons OF the Ameri-
can Revolution. now holding it's annual
congress In Richmond, were guests of the
Virginia Society at an elegant banquet
given at the Jefferson last night.
The entertainment was one of the most
brilliant ia the history of this city, known
far and wide for its hospitality. and was
enjoyed by a distinguished company Of 200
gentlemen. many OF ~yhom have gained
prominence and distinction in the halls
Of Congress, on battle-helds, and other
spheres.
One Of the most interesting features OF
this eventful occasion was the presence
near the banquet hall of probably couple
Of hundred Of the best-known ladies' OF
Richmond society. The ladies did not par
take of the banquet but they did fully
enjoy the oratorical feast which followed.
These fair guests. among whom were Mrs.
Fitzhugh Lee and the wives of several OF
the prominent members Of the society,"
occupied seats or stood on the balcony
adjoining the dining-room, In which the
banquet was spread. Those who could
not find places there were seated in the
west-end dlning-room adjoining that in
which the feast took place. From these
places the fair ones could see the speakers
and hear the speeches of the evening.
None manifested keener appreciation or
the wit of the orators than these fair
guests
Hon. William Writ Henry, president of
the Virginia Society acted most accepta-
bly as toast master. His introductions
of the speakers were made in language
which did not fail to evoke frequent ap-
plause from the banqueters.
GENERAL PORTER'S SPEECH.
Mr.. Henry raped the guests to order
and, before introducing the speaker, called
attention to the trite old saying that
breyity is the soul of wit. He then in
troduced General Horace Porter TO re-
spond to the toast, 1.-The National Society
OF the Sons of the American Revolution.
Inspired by the Patriotism Taught Us by
Washington"
General Porter was greeted with sew
eral rounds OF cheers. and 1t was seVerai
minutes before he could respond lie re-
ferred TO the ladies present, ana PAID
high tribute to them; alluded TO the TACT
, that he and Fitzhugh Lee were class
mates at West Point, and SAID that the
bare fact that both We're sun awe was
the seyerest censure that could be placeu
on their craftsmanship. Uaughter) He
stated that he was asked prior to coming
here how long 'twould take TO come TO
Richmond, and he had replied that II the
Lee family interefered, 'twouid take four
years.
He said he felt at home here. as he
was himself n southerner-a resident OF
Southern Pennsylvania-and even If he
were not. all Americans felt at home
when visiting.
Discussing the question of lineage, the
speaker said the people OF Virginia
traced their lineage back TO the flood or
Noah, while the people of the Northwest
traced theirs back to the Worlds Fair
Naughter)
OLD VIRGINIA WELCOME.
General Porter returned his thanks for
the old-fashioned Virginia welcome
which had been accorded the National
Society. He spoke of the resolution look
ing TO the amalgamation of the two
Revolutionary societies. and said IL was
fitting that this resolution should have
been adopted within the borders OF the
Old Dominion.
The speaker paid high tribute to the
ancestors who were honored by the
formation of the societies to commemo-
rate their valor and deeds in the cause
OF freedom and independence, and in
beautiful peroration spoke of the wonder
full inventions OF Americans and the
rapid strides the people of this great re-
united Union had made. lie was inter-
rupted by frequent rounds of applause.
and concluding with a prophetic state
ment that America would one day dom-
nate the other petions. took his seat
amid the most tumultuous applause.
SPEAKS FOR THE DAUGHTERS.
''The Daughters OF the Revolution" was
the next toast offered. This toast was
assigned TO Hon. Chauncey NJ. DeDew,
but. In his absence Mr.. Robert b. Roose-
welt. of New York. responded.
1.-THE first after-dinner speech ] ever
made said Mr.. Roosevelt, was in re-
Spouse TO the toast Of Woman / can
recall the scene as distinctly as though IL
only happened yesterday IL was al
meeting of the ST. Nicholas Society, and
my trepidation was so great l could eat
no dinner. SO IL is now that l am prac-
tically responding TO the same toast. Then
II was Woman generally, now IL IS the
Daughters OF tho Revolution; then il was
Turing In itself, now II is the concrete
elevated by tho ennobling purpose IL has
I'm view: then Il came at the end OF the
entertainment, the heel-tap of the occa-
sion, amid the smoked-out cigars, the
emptied glasses, the many deserted
chairs. now IL is the leading toast Is
this due 10 the new woman? Uaughter)
Or 10 II not due TO a wiser appreciation of
the work which woman has TO do, espe-
cially In connection with this patriotic
society? Tradition tells us that woman
suffered during the Revolution Many of
those who hear my words need no tradi-
ton To tell them that woman always
suffers during all wars. (Applause) 1t
IL hers 10 walt TO sit silent, TO listen for
news that never can be good news. that
can only be relatively bad Man has the
excitement OF battle. the roar OF cannon.
the rush OF the struggle. the thrill of
hope, certannius gaudeus. glorying In the
strife he meets death, II meet IL he must
amid intenscst life; she sits at home
even then be travelling through the silent
air. IL may be victory or defeat: her
loved one may be safe or he may be
wounded: he may be dead. or worse than
that more fearful and terrible. he may
be missing-never TO be heard from,
never 10 be seen again.
women have always been the inspiration
OF all great deeds. They have given sons.
husbands. and lovers to their country.
strengthened the weak. tended the wound
ed, wept over the dead. Virginia paugh-
ters Of the Revolution, you have to do
tApplsuse) This republic which they
founded, has gone through terrible
crisis. II has nearly persisted In the
throts q a fierce conflict 1t Is for you
20 wholly bind up its Wounds 10 knit To-
sether the broken skein. to preserve the
republic. and 10 bind together for an
time the North and South I'm the bonds
OF brotherhood and patriotic unity" Cap
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