Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-29
bUNDAY.........OCTOBER 30, 1899.
PRESIDENTS AND PRESIDENTS.

Before tho struggle for southern inde-
pendonce was made-before Virginia was
oismembered-our State was influential in
Federal politics. and presidential visits to
Richmond were not rare. But during the
four years Of hostilities between the Con-
federates and the boys In blue business
was booming too lively to permit of
any friendly functions"
While Richmond was yet smoking from
The great fire OF the evacuation, Presi-
cent Lincoln came among US. What his
attitude would be toward the Southern
States '1ately in rebellion" had not then
been made known Nor was his Coming
announced. lie sailed up the river from
City Point, landed some distance be-
low this city and drove into town. HIS
identity was soon discovered, and as he
drove up Main street crowds of soldiers
and colored people. and some whites,
gathered on the sidewalks and cheered
him. He looked the solemn, careworn
man that his portraits of that period rep
resent him; but he had a winning smile
and gracious manner, despite his angu-
lar figure and somewhat awkward bear
ing.
In the interviews Mr.. Lincoln had with
a number OF leading Vireinians at the
Davis mansion, then United States army
headquarters. he announced a policy witt.
respect to the restoration Of Virginia TO
the Union. which would have delighted
10 oh IN -
into effect. But, alas! the plan which he
announced here met with the disfavor of
members Of his Cabinet and was aban-
ooned summarily. Soon afterwards he
met his death at the hands Of John
Wilkes Booth, who, though not q Nir-
fniah, either by birth or residence, had
been a member OF the stock company of
the old Richmond Theatre in ante-bellum
DAYS. and was known personally to many
OF our people.
We have no recollection of Andy John
sons coming here after he became Presi-
dent, but we have seen 1t stated that he
visited Richmond about the time Mr. Lin
coin ala.
General Grant was here for a few days
about 1868. being then en- route South, bu
he made no public appearance. lie staye'
at the Spotswood Hotel, and his visi
was a quiet one. The most that he did il
the way OF making a public appearance
was to walk our streets-sometimes alone
sometimes in the company Of friends.
Mr.. HAYES was the first President ate
tho war 60 pay US visit of ceremony
His election had been contested bitterly
end after an alarming period OF agitation
and unrest, when the country seemed al
most upon the brink of civil war, tn
question at issue was referred to III
celebrated electoral commission, with tn
result that its decision was against Nh
Tnden. Mr.. Hayes took some pains Z
concillate the South, ana when invited {
, visit our State Fair he promptly accept
ed lie came TO Richmond bringing hi
wife and most of the members of hi
Cabinet with him, and they stayed tw
DAYS. Upon their arrival here the speech
Is OF welcome and of acknowledged
were made (while rain was falling fror
B a. platform erected upon the lot, then va
cant. at ths northeast corner Of Frankli
and Belvidere streets. At night there wa
q reception az the Executive Mansion
and next day all the presidential part
visited tho FAIRGROUNDS and mad
speeches. Every moment OF their sta
here was filled in with entertainments {
one sort or another.
On November /. 1887, President CleyC
land visited Richmond and made spoec
AT the Fair-Groun6s. where he was II
ceiyed with great warmth the peop
nearly crushing one another in their ma
efforts 20 reach him and grasp his ham
lie iunched at the Fair-Grounds. dro'
about the city In the afternoon, was wit
Governor Lee at the Executive Mansio
a short time in the evening and return'
10 Washington that night. Al other tim
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland, coming and 3
ing to Florida, made seml-pubiic appea
ances at the Byrd-street Station viii
the train waited there. And FOR the ma
ter o. that, so had President Arthur.
Soon after the inauguration Of Pres
dent Harrison he made a trip 10 the lo'
er James river for the purpose OF shoe
ing ducks and seeing some OF the histor
homes Of that section. II was arrange
that upon his return journey he shou
land At Richmond. and here take Il