The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-12

wears ago. and how great is The contrast
[ According to the records sdn your oWns
beautiful City Hall this very spot upon
(which we stand was then swamp sWheEe
roa med In numbers vol
and bears. But tonight, my dear friends.
| 81 look upon the evolution with infinite
pleasure and wonder, il the same ratio
I5continuss what the greatness OF your
posterfty Will be In a hundred years from
now. Heart throbs of pride.)
But permit me. for few moments. 70
speak to you more seriously. Our people
cress the river take as much pride IN the
fsrrnwfl, and progress OF Richmond as
| do her own people. We are watcHnG
Your Industrial growth, and are amazed
| at its sudden magnitude. CATCHING IN
| spiration from another, 11ethinks II see
| in my mind a noble and puissant city
rousins herself like a strong man after
| sleep. and shaking her invincible locks:
| nethinks I see her as an eagle meWins
| her mighty youth and kinding her ,'n-
| dazzled eyes at the full-,nid-day beam:
purging and unscalins her long abused
sight at the fountain itself of heavenly
radiance; while the whole noise OF timer
Gus and fockins birds. with those also
| that love the twilight ftutter a bout
| amazed at what she means. (Sm!les
| and patriotic blushes.)
| HEROIC BOUND.
Even in my own day and time Rlcn-
mond has stepped to the front with a
| heroic bound. have seen her noble
| people when they were lowering over ohe
! ashes of their city's desolation. and when
! the fire of terrible war had flashed In
| your faces, and a sadness. and sorrow.
| and gloom and dependency filed the
! hearts of your people. The guns at Ap-
| pomartpx had crushed a civilization ana
| society which had arisen In the South
uneuuaIled and unsurpassed In the history
! OF the English-speakins race Th.s CIV
| ;lization and this society which found
| its highest expression on Virginia soil.
| was equal to the occasion, and when the
! people of the Southland saw that Fate
| had ordained that the plow and pruning
| knife, the hammer and the saw must
| take the place of the musket and the
! sword and IN peace as they did in war
! cried out "in their encirclins gloom to
Richmond lead thou me on Richmond
| needed the appeal, and now steps bravely
| to the front as an example of industrial
force and energy. Universal tears.)
MERIT AND ITS REWARD.
But, my friends, why should consume
! your time when I see before me so many
distinguished citizens loaded TO the muzzle
| with eloquence that will burn you IKE
! a piece OF hot ibatter-bread. and who are
!
s.the autumnal leaves that strew the
| banks of Vallanbrosa.'' Let me perform
| the pleasant duty assigned me. and let
merit have It's reward. approval and
| broad sn;les.)
I NV ilonored and esteemed friend. whose
| name henceforth must be linked with
that of Washington. because the one was
! the Father OF His Country and the ether
| the Father the Civic Carnival. pre-
| sent you this beautiful token. and il you
! wish to adopt sentiment that once be-
| decked the banner OF citizen OF my old
| town in days gone by, and enGrave 1t
urs,n this beautiful medal, I give you the
| quotation:
Twenty per cent month, and d-n
| good security at that. Cloud applause
| and perspiration)
MR.. sTERN'S RESPONSE.
| After the applause died away in the
| vicinity of Seven Pines. the Hon. Sam
! Stern, with gold medal IN hand. and side
! whiskers all gone, rose to the grandeur
| OF the occasion Then followed another
outburst of applause.
After acknowledging the great honor
| bestowed upon him, Mr.. Stern said there
| was no heart in the world except his
| own which could appreciate his gratitude.
.'Everybody knows me- he said. sam
Stern, the Mayor of Jefferson Ward Now
! don't go home and tell your wives what
| kind Of a speech Sam Stern has made.
The speaker in his touch of foreign
accent declared with great emphasis that
! to help the people of Richmond and
| his fellow man was his highest ambition.
| that the occasion on hand was the proud
est in the history OF his eyentful career,
| and that to hand down the big gold
medal 20 his posterity would be an I'M
| perishable treasure which he could not
! overestimate in value.
lit 70 in Wy
| how at the age of IS he got his passage
! to America free OF charge by posing as
| sailor and scrubbing. UP the deck. He
had heard Of the great Hberty-iovlnS
! American people. and he went around and
| asked his friends how to get to the
| United States
..Are you a sailor?'' asked the Captain
| OF the ship, to whom he applied 70 como
| to America.
| Yes he replied.
| ."Then take off your coat and get to
| work.
He was the happiest man in the world
! for an hour. Then the Captain ordered
| him aloft and yelled at him to unlooSe the
| main topsail. He went up. Soon came
the harsh voice: what the devil are
| you doing? Come down. You amt any
| sailor and for three weeks Sam Stern
! spent his days cleaning up the ship on
| the outside.
ONLY ONE WIFE,
'In 1856 came to Richmond with one
/ wife. one child, and no money he said
Now 1 have the same wife, but seven
| children, and here stand with a gold
| medal and feel like the Prince OF Wales.
| I shall thank God that my fellow citizens
| presented me with a gold medal, even it
| it goes to the pawn shop tomorrow
When woke up and read in the papers
| that the citizens Of Richmond would
launch the torpedo boat Shubrick said:
! rs that all? No eating, no drinking, no
| fireworks? 1t shall not be SO! so said
| the Mayor of Jefferson Ward.
Mr. Stern closed with Il sensational
| tribute to the present Legislature. and
a long happy New Year to all, and then
while the big drum rumbled and the fife
screamed ferte!y, large number OF
| those present repaired to Thorn's Hall
| across the street where there was eating
| and drinking and music and further
| speaking
SOAIE OF THOSE PRESENT.
Among those present at the Hall during
T the presentation We're:
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