Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-12

Methodist, and Episcopal churches on
Church Hill. The Episcopalians ana Tres .
bvterians had a minister each, Parson
buchanan and Person Blair. never
knew two better men. They preached on
alternate Sundays at the Capitol ana AT
the old church on the hill.
lie refers 10 old 81. Johns church, bullt
I'm 15iO IL IS still standing. remodeieq
ana modernized, and has been rendered
conspicucus as being the place where "a
trick Henry gave utterance the WOiuS3;
"Give me liberty or give me - uJa' Ia
which will 30 ringing down ulIOus" '"0
corridors OF the centuries. ,., o,
"'The same cOngregat tons ATTENDED upon
their miuistratlOns No difference IN tne
forms OF service was permitted 10 IN
terrupt their perfect harmony lHey
teught the same sublime doctrines, ana
were too intent on the execution OF their
holy mission 10 dispute about mere -
ternal forms and ceremonies; Inelr HNe5
were unitedly devoted 90 the hlen anu
ir,lportant task OF making men good clu-
zens and good Christians; nor did they
esteem Il necessary, IN order 10 accom-
pish these ends, 20 make war on those IT.
uOceut amusemcntS which serve as a.
resuffe from labor and toll. Buchanan
Sprinc IS identified with the Quot CluD,
al which the good ola men honlelIhes
participated. There were illustrlous men
associgted with them IN these harmless
relaxations whose memories VIII ever
live in the heart OF Richmond. MT.
buchanan lived In a small wooden house,
situated near Mayo orldge' su SUI, 90 ~
his condition of old bache OrshiP, all trace
OF which has long since passed away.
Under that roof he was once honOred by
the presence OF another diNlne, Nhol
bringing on suitable credentials, ail
wearing suitable canonicals, Oificiated IN
the place OF the two eminent ministers
az Church Hill and the Capitol. During
his stay In Richmond he was hospiIaoiy
entertained by Mr.. Buchanan. BY some
Arrangement Of lhe toilet IL was, how
ever discovered that the newcomer was
a woman dressed in canonicals. some
time thereafter the two aged ministers
dined az the Governors, when 3rother
Blair INDUCED in innocent ralllery ~
the expense OF Brother Buchanan TO the
infinite amusement Of all present. Mr.
Buchanan had, a few days before, re-
ceiyed a letter from his Quondam guest
apOlOgiZing for her conduct, and giving
her true patronymic as Diana Smith. she
was the first woman in America VINO prdc-
tically put IN force the doctrine Of wo-
mans rights"
PATRIOTIC SPEECHES MADE.
| have thought il would be interesting
20 give this somewhat detailed account OF
this grand old club. because its members,
from its beginning TO It's end. We're leaders
In society. in business, in politics, and in
Christian life. They directed, 10 a large
extent the conduct Of the masses, ana so
IL may be said that everywhere in Virginia
Fourth-of-July celebrations were observed
from the earliest days OF the republic Al
most always at these meetings OF the
people the Declaration OF Independence
was read aloud by some person selected
for. the purpose, and frequently some dis
tinguished local orator would deliver an
Grafton upon the blessings of liberty. the
glorious deeds OF George Washington and
Thomas Jefferson, and me prosperity ana
happiness which the people would obtain
under the acgis Of the American Consti-
tuition and the protection of the Star
Spangled Banner
And there was another incident Of these
celebra lions which everybody greatly en-
loved No matter whether II was a large
political gathering church festival. a
nriyate club. or a military reunion, no
mailer what il was. there was always "A
good dinner on the Fourth of July. Now
lei me tell you what l mean: Let me de-
was "A good. old-fnshloncd, real. substan-
tial. old Virginia dinner. cooked by Old
Virginia negro cooks. who. In my opinion.
were the best cooks that ever lived 80