Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-15

oNNVhhSh lliis diTO lti lH' htAiitg
manner In which that introduction had
been received. He paid a high eompIi-
ment to the ladies, after which he ok
planned that business at the national
capital had so detained him that he had
not even an ''impromptu speech in his
pocket" General Lee told several anus
ing anecdotes, Illustrative of his pre-
dicament, and created much laughter.
He quoted from the Second Book OF
Kings 10 show how King Hezekiah had
sent for all the learned doctors TO heal
him, and how he had subsequently turned
his face to the wall and slept with his
fathers. and made a most amusing.
though kindly, hit at the druggists.
The General, taking up the subject of
his toast, spoke glowingly Of America,
saying that one who had been living
abroad as had he could well appreciate
it's matchless government and the liberty
which was accorded its citizens. He
grew poetic in conclusion, and made
most eloquent peroration, which evoked
great enthusiasm.
PEOPLE AND FOLKS.
The postprandial orator of the National
Wholesale Druggists Association, Mr..
Cary Peters, of Louisville, was nitro
duced AS he arose to respond to the
toast people and Folks" the orchestra
struck up the familiar air, "There'll be
a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight"
and this somewhat disconnected the
speaker. though only for the nonce, for
he plunged into his subject and did great
credit to himself.
The people Of Virginia. he said, were
folks. Where the people lived he knew
not. He once thought they lived In New
England, but he had found, upon visit
ing that section, that the citizens there
were folks, too He paid high tribute
to folks and said he didn't want 10
meet the people.
IAN Coons Look Alike to Me" was the
tune the orchestra played when Mr..
Peters took his seat.
THE PROPRIETARY PRESIDENT.
President Doliber, Of the Proprietary
Association, was the next speaker In
troduced. He responded TO the toast
THE Proprietary Association" In the
beginning he told a most interesting
Arabian knights story, and making 1t
applicable to the present day wonders,
discussed the wizards of the medical
world, dealing largely with the patent
medicine men. He told Of how these
medicines, like men, have their day, and
then, speaking of his associates, thanked
Them for having honored him once again
with the presidency Of their association.
TRIBUTE TO WOMAN.
Mr.. Doliber was literally applauded,
and when he took his seat the toast
Woman" was proposed, DR.. j. Allison
Hodges being called upon to respond 10
in DIR. Hodges made a most entertaining
talk. In speaking of the ladies present
be said:
81 know that you join with me in giving
them a gracious, hearty, welcome, for
would as soon expect star IN yonder
heavens to stagger and to fall, as for
any chiyalric gentleman TO prove dnre-
spOnsiye to womans beauty and woman
presence. Woman in her purity and In
her fidelity is the most beneficent GIT
from the creative hand OF God.
LAS flowers beneath Mays footsteps
AS stars from nights loose hair are
shaken"
so the most vivid joys which perfect the
life Of man spring wherever her gentle
step is heard, and wherever her gentle
presence dstills its rarest benediction or
love upon the responsive heart. might
speak to you of every attribute tnat
characteriZes man, and yet the woman
has all these and more, for her virtue ana
her faith have been the controlling power
of the world, and the bond 'twlxt Heaven
and earth Woman Is nearer the Divine
than man, and there Is no more du-
thentic gauge or meteWand OF ClElnld-
ton than the position which Is ACCORDED
her in different countries, and even IN
different sections OF our common coun-
try. for whom true worth Is known ana
appreciated. wherever high ana dazzling
ideals are recognized and valued, eno
wherever the myriad tongues. or ioyai
sons shall speak, woman VIII be regarded
as the reigning queen OF the earth, tpe
morning star OF mans infancy, the Gay
star OF his manhood, and the evening star
of his old age"
SPEAKS FOR THE PRESS.
DIR. Hodges was loudly applauded. and
when he concluded the final toast The
press" was proposed, and Mr.. John 81.
Peters. Of New York. was introduced to
,espond to IT, The orchestra, however,
preceded him with the air, 1--WE Won't
90 Home Until Morning" He made a
most amusing talk, pol<ing much fun at
the proprietors who. he said. had more
generously advertised themselves through
the medium OF the press than any other
class of people. His speech was mirth-
provoking throughout, and was received
with great applause.
When Mr.. Peters took his seat the or
chestra played ''Auld Lang Syne." and
the company repaired to their rooms to
sleep and prepare for the excursion down
the James 10 Old Point to-day. Their
fnal session was held yesterday after
noon when the newiy-elected officers
were installed.