The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-21
But They viii Garry With Them the
Memory Of a Splendid Time.
VIRGINIA STATE INSURANCE co
Ranouct Their Departing Brethren
with a Feast OF Reason and Flow
of Soul That Will Cheer Them
on to Meet the Enemy.

insurance mon who had volunteered TO so
10 the front to nght for the supremacy
NJ their glorious country and 10 uphold
the max or the common country. and gave
them parting ban p2-t which not only
included a feast that would have pleas
90 the most eminent epicure, but. also,
embraced a glorious fow OF reason and a
tremendous outburst OF patriotic senu-
ment ana enthusiasm.
The mere gathering together Of con-
siderable body OF Nirginia's most noble
citizens and the descendants OF some Of
Nirginias foremost families upon the eve
Of their departure for the front was IN
itself "a erea; event but when those
young men arose and in glowing language
uttered words ihat bound them 10 the
hearts 81 their fellow countrymen with
the strongest bands of purest steel, the
scene was indeed inspiring.
4 UNITED COUNTRY.
AaA when the sons OF heroes who had
fought side by side for the Lost Cause
gave expression 10 their adherence TO the
flag that bore The Stars and stripes and
declared that they would face the COM
mon enemy 10 the bitter end and recog.
nize the leadership of Uncle Sam and
him alone. the heart of the most bitter
cynic was moved. and. above an. when
the old rebel yell" for Dixie was follow
cd by tremendous applause for Yankee
Doodle the enemy received the most
unanimous notice that the glorious
United States was a united country. and
that the Stars and Stripes waved over
al alike. and that when the yell OF the
gallant Southerner was heard he had bet
ter look out for danger was nigh.
The gathering I'm the banquet hail Of
The jefferson Hotel last night was
brought about ny the officers Of the Nir-
Einia state Insurance Company.
They conceived the idea that it would
be a pleasant thing 20 have all the men
AZ Camp Lee who were. IN any way. con-
nected with fire insurance I'm Virginia.
no matter with what company. TO gather
around a richly spread table, 10 make
friendships and % renew Old acquaint-
anceships. just before they started out on
what may prove long and bloody war
and no sooner was the idea conceived
than it was carried into execution.
SCENE FROM FAIRY LAND.
AT 2 O'Clock Thiow's splendid orchestra
started of with martial airs and the
doors Of the banquet hall were thrown
open by Manager Fry and then before the
admiring eyes Of the initiated soldier
insurance boys was displayed a veritable
scene from fairy land.
The banquet hall was a perfect bower
81 beauty, flowers Of the rarest va
riety and most delicate perfume COW
cred nearly every place IN the hall great
masses OF roses and sweet peas were
placed upon the tables and around the
walls were banked huge palms and ever
greens in many varieties. A sweet
tropical aroma arose and Cuban re-
treats came up into the minds OF the
gallant boys as they filed in and took
their places at the tables The decora-
tion was the work of Hammond.
Major y v. Randolph. president OF the
Virginia State Insurance Company. pre-
sided gracefully. and he called upon Rev.
Frank Stringfellow TO invoke blessing
upon the gathering. which the reverend
gentleman did. and then a numbereSs
course OF some Of the Jefferson's best
things was served. while the orchestra
concealed behind a bower of evergreens
discoursed sweet music appropriate 10 the
occasion.
Major Randolph I'm introducing the
first speaker said that when he looked
around him he WAS reminded OF the days
OF 81 when many Of the gray haired gem
tlemen present had volunteered to 60, and
ne knew that when the sons Of Virginia
were called upon to fight for their coun-
try they would uphold the honor Of old
Virginia. He hoped the war would soon
be over hut until then we had a duty to
perform. 10 defend the flag of the coun-
try. lie then welcomed the gathered
soldiers and introduced Colonel w. NJ.
Coulhng. who IS also one OF the directors
Uf the company.
TO CLOSE THE BREECH.
Colonel Coulling said that it was very
hard that such a hard working man as
himself should be called upon. for even
though he did not fight i'm Cl he felt
that no had been working since 81 He
didn't know exactly how he STOOD. wheth-
or as a colonel on the Governors staff or
as a director of the Virginia State He
thought that 1t would have been better
perhaps. TO have recognized the belli-
gerency OF Cuba and TO have thus pre-
vented this war. but he was convinced
that this strife would close up the diff
ferences between the United states and
Great Britain. aud the differences be-
tween The various sections of the United
states would be things Of the past He
thought that the war IN which we are at
present engaged would bring about a
union OF the Engiish-sp speaking people.
the furthcrance of independent govern
ment and the liberties OF the people in
thought and religion. This IS "a holy
strife ana Is for the bettcrment of all
people. and that the soldiers of the
United States would be the instruments
by which this condition would he brought
about He believed the strife would be
OF short duration.
Captain her. Of stanton. followed
and stated that he was afraid OF a ban
quet OF this sort. for he had rad all the
horrors % hard tack placed before him
before leaving home. He was proud Of
his section oil the state ana knew that
the boys who were following him 20 the
front would follow the f<g wherever IL
led. and many Of them had fathers who
served In the old StOnewal Brigade The
boys % Virginia were worthy sons OF
most noble sires and would make a
good showing OF themselves.
Private Martin Sringfellow was then
introduced. bur he gave way 20 his
Father. Rev Frank Stringfellow. who
served az "a special scout on the stan OF
General n. r. Lee.
REV. FRANK STRINGFELLOW TALKS
Il do the talking tonight" be said
"and my son must do the fighting. II IS
altogether probable that ] will get IN the
Cuban trouble II / can. / will be there
sn all probability as a chaplain and will
give the boys some wholesome advice
There IS no safe place In the army.
ne continued THE men who lag are in
az much danger as those IN the front.
and the front rank stands as much
chance as the rear. My advice IS 10
commit yourselves 10 God and Nen g.