The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-03
A MAGNIFICENT CIVIC sp,n,r

r0tisei iust HlShl, as no laced the
great sea OF enthusiastic citizens who
filled the Auditorium TO the over.
lowing last night 1t was scene SC
thrilling. SO inspiring and 80 splendid
that the printed word cannot picture
IT, One of the greatest gatherings
ever held in the city. Il was certainly
che most enthusiastic: to the most
skeptical it was overwhelming evidence
or tho greatness and unanimity of
Richmond spirit. Time after time, be
J yond the counting, the 1000 or moro
citizens present punctuatcd speakers
and the program with unanimous
roar OF applause or, as ono man, cheer
cd sentiments OF civic pride until the
steel Eirders vibrated az If shaken
with tho force of IL mighty dynamo.
Alive to the significance OF the occa-
sion, tho great throns throbbed visibly
with optimism, and when Business
Manager Dabncy. of the Chamber IF
Commerce, at the end of his speech,
Aefered a resolution affirming tho In
tention of Richmond to talk md work
and fight for their city. the citizens
nnahed TO their feet as II by an cleo
tric thrill and. cheering and applaud
ing. adopted the resolution unanimous
~. The heart OF Richmond glowed
! and It's spirit stood forth, shining and
[ splenGid In all it's glory.
II was n representative Eatherine
Every section OF the city had its large
delegation there, every business or
3 ganizat!on was there IN force. and men
IN Gil walks Of life sat side by side
and checrcd and applauded together
for Richmond. south Richmond'a sub
stantial delegation entered tho hall 10
the laundering greeting of the other
citizens OF Richmond that told our
brethren across the James that they
arc part and parcel of Richmond. and
hot tho line that divides IS only
imaginary. Drummers and manufac-
iurcrs. carpenters and cashiers, en-
ploycs and employers snt sido by
Side and nudgcd each other when
80 ching line was said and shook
their hands N each other with n sort
Of Il TOLD YOU Richmond was the best
city III the country" expression. Ono
thing that impressed Il close observer
wal that great proportion OF the
citizens present seemed 10 bc men he
low tho point of middle agc-thc young
men who arc just entering OF have
nut lately entered The sphere OF cit
izenship, tho generation who must soon
have in hand the welfare OF the city
What scene ii was: llaCs ANA
banners and bunting everywhere,
color and Hight and lovcliness, In tho
bright background, tho hundreds Of
nigh Echool girls in white dresses and
the b-ys in their sunday go to-mectin'
"l~..es, singing with all their might
about their city, with the audien "a
comm in like thunder OF the swing
ms choruses. Over Them all the de-
vice of Richmonds rising run with
1872" beneath IT, thanked on all Sides
with optimistic slogans ana boos,ine;
banners. And the audience. who can
describe It? Eager. smiling faces. be
iinv!ng faces. Nowhere vacant sen
and wall of standing room in tho
rear. a word of hope for Richmond;
"a word OF belief. an expression of faith
In the city. and the assemblago was
electric with enthusiasm. as II an In
visible wire connected all ana a cur
rent had been sent through IL by the
Jerking back of lever,
Elsewhere Is detailed an accuun, or
what the speakers said. Every one !,
them was warmly applaudcd and In
tcrrupted by tumultuous manifesto
lions of approval, for tho message o.
saeh was optimistic, confident. con
structive, unrescrved. Mr. Caring
tons Introductory rcmurl;s Mayo,
Richardson's words as presiding office"
Henry l. Cnbell's superb exposition d
The past aud present causes OF Rich
tnond's growth ana Iichmond's posi-
bilitics; ". r. Dahncys picture OF Ia,
citys future and his enumeration !.
the great advantages ana industries (,
has and those tina, are coming: il;tbt.
Calisc..'s eloquent review Of Tho ciyu
duties of Richmond ci,!zens a.d III.
beautiful vision OF the city as +. Nil
he, and EXGGveInoT Montague
stirring tribute to Richmond horup
and their Influence these CALI,
forth the unanimous ana ringing ;.p
proval OF the people The music an,
the singing ana the stunts" were ius
.j,,t,j,i I.,..