Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-25

many guests to honor the company's
greatest achievement. This brought forth
another wave of applause. Then, as toast
master for the occasion, Mr.. Orcutt
called on the guests to rise and drink a
toast 10 the President of the United
States. This done, Congressman Hopkins.
Of Illinois, was called on to respond to
the toast "Our President" The speaker
was in good voice. In part, he said:
"rhere Is no man who has occupied ths
position Of President of the United States
/ would more willingly respond to than
that great American, William Mckinley.
CApplause) The accident Of birth has
given other countries their rulers. Some
have developed their country; but most
of them were despicable characters. In
this country, thank God, II Is different.
BY the suffrages of the people. we choose
our ruler. The present Chief Executive
is a typical American His life has been
an open book. and he stands close to the
people This was well illustrated the
other day, when Congress unanimously
voted to place money at his disposal to
carry out Americanism. / thank God we
have as President a man who Is so well
rounded and complete" Applause)
The navy was the next toast. Senator
Rawlings responded in brief speech, de-
claring that a strong navy was not only
guarantee Of peace, but comforting
thing I'm time of war.
GOVERNOR TYLER SPEAKS.
The toast 10 the "Old Dominion" was
responded to by his Excellency, Governor
Tyler, OF Virginia, who was most felici-
tous in welcoming the Governor Of Ken
lucky on the auspicious day, when TWO
battleships were launched, one In the
name of the daughter State. He told
several anecdotes. one OF which, IL IL
pointed not q moral. 1t certainly renected
sharply upon the breaking OF OLD customs
I'm the manner Of christening ships. The
Governor disclaimed oratory as MS es-
pecial forte. and alludng to his recent
visit to the oyster section on ohelai
work. continued his speech, I'm the
language. as he said, of friend:
eft Is with peculiar pride and pleasure
that / arise to respond to the sentiment
proposed. The incidents or to-day ad9
another page 10 the annals OF TINS prouu
Old Mother Commonwealth. she mas ever
been to the forefront I'm peace as IN war
in material as i'm intellectual Development
AS she gave TO the world, for the worlu
betterment a Washington, Madison,
Monroe Jefferson, y JACKSON, anu d
Lee, so In the onward progress OF TINS
nineteenth century size IttN htPA eAbA
with that advancement, and has furnish,
ed TO our commerce an El sud, an El
Nord. and Grand Duchess, and for our
nations defence a Raleigh and Texas.
To-day we witnessed a spectacle which
has no parallel in the annals OF this
country. at least, of the keels OF two
mammoth battleships gliding over their
ways from Virginia's shore into Nir-
ginia's historic waters-historic in the
naval battle which which, fought here
some thlrty-odd years ago, revolution
iZed the navies of the entire world We
are proud of our rising young city, yet
In her teens, and 1 confidently expect AT
no future day to see her second TO no
ship-building port i'm the world. Let not
our more distinguished sea-coast me-
tropoli begrudge the natural advantages
with which nature has enriched Newport
News, for never did Jealousy bring great
commercial success or imprint hlgn chaf-
acter upon a nation.
COMPLIMENT TO MISS BRADLEY.
1T is a peculiar pleasure To me 70 wei
come upon this occasion the Chief Mag
istrats of Virginia's Blue-Grass daughter
within the domain of the old Common
wealth The old Mother State has reason
to be proud OF Kentucky beyond all her
other daughters. She has kept alive the
old traditions, and even surpassed the
mother I'm her artistic spirituele so that
the ability OF the average hentuckian
CONCLUDED ON NINTH PAGE)