The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-09-23
Fully Two ThOus and
From Old Dominion
Arc In St. Louis.
EXERCISES WILL
BE HELD TODAY
Brilliant Reception Yesterday al
Monticello at Which Many
Distinguished Visitors Were
Preser1t-Governor Mon
taguc, President Francis
and Others Speak.
fFrom 5 staff 4 Z, corresnondentA 3,

(F'rom a Staff Correspondent)
WORLDS FAIR GROUNDS. ST.
LOUIS. MO-, September 80. aIonticello"
was crowded to its utmost this afternoon,
when a reception to Governor and Mrs.
Montaguc-the first entertainment Incl
dent to the Virginia Day celebratlon-w
hold.
Tho affair was under Tho auspices o.
the Virginia Society Of st. Louis and
was o. marked success. Those receiving
were: Governor ana Mrs. Montague and
the Governors staff, together with the
officers OF the Virginia Society. An cn-
tertainment committee, which was COM
posed of a mum mber, OF tho most prominent
sociaty people Of st. Louis, assisted In
looking after the guests. 545
Welcome by Mr.. Kent.
After the reception had been held there
were a few short speeches. Mr.. Frank
NJ Johnson presided and first introduced
Mr.. Henry r. s. Kont , who delivered the
address Of welcome to Governor Monta-.
que. He said in part as follows:
1t IS al pleasant task to extend a
word Of Welcome on behalf Of the Vir-i
:ginla Society of st. Louis to the Governor.
OF our mother State and these who have
come with him to honor this Exposition.
Tho virtue Of hospitality SO intcrwoven
with tho Virginia life We still cling to-,
and we greet you not with a strange
hand or unfamiliar voice, but with "a
cordially so marked as to give You as
surance that though distant from the
place OF your birt Ii. you ma among those
born under the same skies and claiming
kinship with the same soil. ghave6nll the
feelings Of home. There is sanotheraandl
strong reason why you should not come,
with the feeling Of "a stranger to par tici-.
pate In this Exposition. In one sense, J 7
is the most superb memorial the world
has yet seen to the illustrious virginia n.
the author Of the Louisiana Purchase
In q larger sense, It typfies a4 century: mt
of the marvellous growth of 7 he w est
From that viewpoint it is gratifying
that Of eight statues OF native born
Americans placed on these grounds as:
testimonials of their pre-eminent services;
In tho acquisition and Development Of
Western territory, five Of them were. born
on the soil Of Virginia. Hort. statesmen ne
and soldiers bullded wiser than they
knew. They laid In wisdom untried foun-t.
;datIons l -fro:S which have sprung great
states and territories. These memorials
attest that the history of their work IS
not 10 be found in the mists OF legends.
but In the 'arduous greatness Of things
done, !, y. u,
I'm view, therefore. OF tho historic
reasons for this Exposition, the official
appearance Of the Governor OF Virginia
to take part in the ceremonies assigned
him, is an event which It is tho plea $ 81
ure Of members Of this society not aionf
an Ylrginians. but as Americans TO &C.
all honor to-. We welcome you for theG
high office you fill, but better stu be-
cause you have filled It with such honor
ana distinction. We welcome also the
official family. your staff, who have
come with you. And may, say It IS Al
added pleasure to extend aWord Of greet
Ing 10 the lady Of the Executive Man
slon,S whose gentle graces and charms
make her the type wo admire SO much
tho true Virginia woman. We hope your
stay amongst us will lie full OF enjoy
5ment. ON the acres tlnt are around
and about us the civiliza tlon Of all the
world is spread before YOU
Response by Governor.
Governor Montague was then intro
duced and responded to the address Of
welcome. n He dwelt at length upon thu
characteristics OF Ylrginians and the part