Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-15
THE DRUG MEN FEAST
ELEGANT BANQUET OF THE ASSOC
CITATIONS AT THE JEFFERSON.
AN EVENING OF FINE SPEECHES.
Judge Lewis, Governor O'FerrniI,
Committeeman Lee, the Two Prcsi-
dents, and Several Others Respond
to Toasts-Message from the Ladies'

closed yesterday afternoon. was the ele-
CANT banquet given at the Jefferson last
night. Covers were laid for go, and
quite that number OF druggists and their
guests were present
The banquet I'm point OF elegance was
probably the best that has been served
in this city in years, and the responses
to the toasts which. by the way, had
been admirably selected were made with
great display OF rhetoric and much elo-
quence. The banquet hall-comprisng
the three spacious dining-rcoms of the
magnificent hostelry-was beautifully de-
corated with ferns and cut-dowers. and
the tables, respondent with immaculate
linen, choice cutlery, and growing
flowers, to say nothing of the elaborate
menu. were most artistically arranged.
the speakers table being on a raised
dais, extending along the southern wall
of the middle room.
Thilow's Jefferson orchestra discoursed
sweet music from the balcony overlook
speech-making commenced the ladies
congregated.
When all had reached the seats as
signed to them at the many tables ST.
lence prevailed. and Rev. DIR. Moses ID.
Hoge invoked the divine blessing The
dinner was served in courses.
MESSAGES FROM THE LADIES.
When coffee had been served and cigars
lighted the ladies were invited in. and
Colonel Purcell welcomed them most cor
daily. and in a most graceful address.
In conclusion he presented MIR. George
A. Kelly. OF Pittsburg. who read an adj
dress From the Ladies to the Rich
mond Entertaining Committee" This
paper ran:
ITO place upon record any words that
would adequately represent the entire ap-
probation Of the visiting ladies' or the
National Wholesale Druggists Associa-
zion would be an impossible undertaking.
Even the silver-tongued oratory OF your
own gifted sons could scarcely fulfil thls
most difficult and yet pleasurable duty
1t was limited that true virginia well
come awaited us, but verify the half had
not been told, for the charmingly cordial
greeting, the never-ceasing solicitude Tor
every visitor, the interest ana cordlanty
of your citizens. who knew US only as
visiting strangers, the thorough politeness
Of the attendants, and the ciyillty or the
conductors on your splendidymanaged
fess Ito most of us), rare and mover
experience. We would join with you IN
a grateful tribute TO the noble citizen VINO
has made possible this matchless enter
tainment and II we may the stranger
within your gates would award this trl-
butte to his memory, only regrettinS that
we came too late to see In bodily form
this benefactor Of innumerable friends
and the city of his love and not less the
weary traveller. The traces OF beauti-
full and cultured nature are in evidence
everywhere I'm this peerless hotel.
"But OF the Committee OF Ladies
Auxiliary to the Entertainment Commit
tee what shall we say? Here Is where
our vocabulary is singularly at fault The
Presidents Reception which We must
record as the most brilliant on record In
the associations history-the musicale
so charmingly arranged, and so thorough
" enjoyed; the drives to points rich In
historic interest; the inspection Of a few
of it's industries. eliminating In the
beautiful reception at the home or Mrs.
Purcell. the wife OF our fascinating presi-
dent-all these were simply the perfection
of hospitality, aided by thorough know
ledge of the art of making all things
work together FOR good but the name
less charm of the delicate individual at
tention; the thoughtfulness that made all
feel so entirely at home; the untirlng Wig
lance Of the Richmond Ladies' Commit
tee is something never before equalled'
and we fear can never be duplicated, UNI
less you ask us to come again.
''Will Mrs Powers, the chairman. and
her associated committee. believe that we
have thoroughly appreciated their courte-
sy and untiring thoughtfulness for our
comfort and enjoyment; causing us to re-
loice more than ever before that nothing
but loving fraternity exists between THIS
glorious old State, the mother OF rresl-
dents and all the other States. whether
in the East, West. or North? We look
with pride almost equal 10 your own on
it's imperishable riches. the memory OF
its sons and daughters. and congratulate
ourselves that this meeting OF the Ma
tional Wholesale Druggists Association.
In the year OF our Lord 1897, has afforded
the opportunity 10 know so pleasantly the
worthy sons of these noble sires. and the
fair and noble women who still maintain
so thoroughly the prestige OF their state.
we trust that we are but bidding au re-
voir to Richmond and the charming addl-
tions we have made to our list OF friends
This handsome message from the
ladies was responded to by Mr.. r. w.
Powers, who made a most humorous
speech, expressing. on behalf of the
Ladies' Reception Committee. their cor
dial thanks for the tribute, and further
expressing the hope that in future years
the association meet once again at "Rich-
mond on the James"
SPEAKS FOR THE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Powers was loudly applauded. and
when quiet was restored Colonel Purcell
read a letter from President McKinley's
Executive Clerk, expressing the regrets
OF the President at not being able 20 at
tend the banquet. He then, in most COM
plimcntary terms, introduced Hon j.. l..
Lewis, who responded to the toast. The
President of the United States" the first
on the card
After returning thanks for the honor
done him, and referring 10 the magnitude
of the subject assigned TO him, he said he
did not understand the toast az referring
so much 10 the distinguished occupant OF
the White House for the time being, IS
TO the office itself, which he fills. He
eulogized the intelligence, conservatism
and patriotism of the American people;
smoke OF their strong attachment TO our
system of government, and said that. In
their conception, the Office OF President
of the United States Is the most exalted
I'm the world He referred 10 the con-
stitutional convention OF l7S. presided
over by Washington, as the most illus
trious BODY that has ever assembled in
America. and quoted Mr. Gladstone IS
saving that "the American Constitution
is the most wonderful work ever struck
off at a given time by the brain and
purpose of man.
one of the distinguishing features and
chief advantages OF the government es-
tablished by that Constitution, he said,
Is that II operates directly upon indi-
viduals. and that while 1t is a govern
ment OF limited powers. IL has within
the limits OF those powers all the attri-
butes of sovereignty. And in this con-
nection the action OF President Cleveland
i'm suppressing the Chicago riots was re-
ferred TO. and applauded. not as an IN
reference with the local affairs Of the
state of Illinois, but as a necessary
means of removing instructions 20 the
execution of the postal and interstate
commerce laws OF the United States. II