Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-24
oMyIvoRoUs ORATORS.
Annual banquet OF the Randolph
Literary Society Last Night.

The annual banquet Of the Randolph
Literary Society, which took place last
night at Murphy's Hotel, was another OF
those strictly masculine affairs which de-
monstrate the disagreeable fact that men
can occasionally spend pleasant eve
ming without the assistance Of the other
sex.
The organization, which has for years
hourished I'm this city, is sort or nur-
sery for elJqucnce and many OF hlch-
mond's best speakers owe their peisua-
slveness to the training received uhder
the society's tutelage. Those who made
speeches at the banquet last night clear
~ demonstrated the fact that they had
cast aside their oratOrical swaddllng
clothcs and now command most ready
and vigorous tongues.
Just before the Randolph disciples con-
vened before the repast which was 70
absorb their attentiOn-Or rather be dD-
sorsed bv their attentOn-they assem-
bled in the hotel lobby, and exchanged a
few minutes Of social conversation. lheIe
was some delay i'm serving the supper
and the interval of expectancy sIeauS
whetted the appettes Of the guests Ger
tainly the hotel proprietor dld not prom
by the delay, for after the feast there
v,ae hut n small resduum Of food.
Mr. irving Z. Campbell, the president
Of the society, presided as POSTMASTER
| and his felicitous remarks did no lltte
/ to add 10 the success OF the occasion.
! The first speaker, Mr.. Hill Montague
! RESPONDED to the toast "Our Old Mem
! bers." lie alluded fcelingly to his CON
nection with the organization, pointing
out the value he had derived from ms
! membership therein and the importance
of being a ready speaker "Ihe use oil
! the voice is n great power said me- no'
only 10 the businessman, but especially
TO the lawyer National eminence car
only be achieved by eloquence
Mr.. Montague was Literally applauueu
and his speech. though brief was wei
| received ct.
AIR A : Ianier responded 20 that fruit
mi theme woman Though this toas
has been the subject matter OF thou
and speeches. it has rarely received NOR
! graceful treatment than 10 met az IN
hands of Mr. I.anier. -.e was enthusiast
r9uv applauded when he resumed hi
eeaf and well he deserved the plaudit
he won. -,
Mr. lanes w. Gordon responded 10 IN
toast ON behalf Of "Ihe Bar lie state
that his subject was incXpresslDly Drod
and that he discussed II with dliilueHc'
Re this as IL may. he measured up 10 Ig
auircments and delighted his hearers. II
stated that its origin was divine orlsll
and that It's very fundamental principe
Uera founded on right and justice.
Mr.. T.. NJ. Crutchheld undertook the az
fence of "Our Bachelors He said TN
unfortunate class have many privilege
which are underestimate. among then
tba liberties of club life and hanquets an
clears and their "dens." Indeed, be pie
tured bachclorhO0d as a most enviao
lot and intimated that celbacy was yer
good-as long as &c was unavoidable
Hon Il. C.. Folkes made most hapI
reenonse 10 the toast our Country l.
said that. like the Republicans, he coui
2 after a big supper say that all was we
with the country. though II might
otherwise had he not attended banque
He could. however, report progress, an
he precicted a time when PATRIOTS
would be more rife, when our matte
! would he the greatest on earth. II
words were characterized by that hume
and fervor which always mark n
sneecbes. and he was vociferously a.
n Dlauded m, -
Mr.. r. r.. Chesterman Che Idle X
= porter). in responding 10 the toast ~
Renedicts." gave a glowing account
; married life. and tuned his Tyre to a u
: ferent tune from what he usually emplO
I'm mis- letters He pointed the finger
/ soorn TO bachelors, and expressed u
: hone that they might some day one al
AM be rescued from their pitiable sta
Mr. lanes Madison Noel Allan delight
y tbe company with a choice selection
= songs which served 20 greatly emily
n | the evening -
= The last Of the regular speakers "
= Mr. Ed Hill Courtney, who responder
m toast THE Randolph Orator y
= courtney. who is inherently an ora'
having the last chance, touched num-
ouslv on all who had preceded hlIn' d
I showed that the sentiment given 10 Il
} was not altogether joke HIS spec
4 ,yas perhaps the best Of the evening d
assuredly il was cordially received q
q vigorously applauded. For an impromi
eefort Mr.. Courtney's speech has iar'
4 been edualled I'm this city FOR wit, mum
d and eloquence. -,
AR Jefferson Wallace, IAN alumni
~ the society was called on quite 81
de,lv hut was equal 20 the OCCASION q
made a most appropriate speech.
.ar,tn,scent remarks were bright, cieV
4 and timely. .A.,.,,o,,
4 AR John Gibson, Jr, the chairman
o Tho Ranquet Committee. made III
Y ,,Iicitous speech, In which ne conn
,,nn,ed the speakers and alluded 10
n .Hut,,, ~ the occasion. His referen
N w. sneakers were well-timed and tas
a., ana evoked much laughter.