Year: 1874


had the honor to receive the invitation
to address you this evening, feel ing that
the compliment it implied was intended
more for my native State than myself
that it was rather the cause of my being
Virginian than OH account Of any
peculiar qualification for the duty it
involved, | could not find it in my
heart to decline the request, especially
as it came from a source so justly enti-
tied to the homage Of my profound re-
spect, graced, as it were, with generous
words of kindly courtesy, and in behalf
of an object which, from its very incep-
ton, had commanded my most cordial
sympathies.


But, ladies and gentlemen, in appear
ing before you-as l find myself face to
face with this vast audience, in the
splendid presence Of an assembly COM
prising so much of the moral worth,
the matured wisdom, the cultured tastes,
the opulence and dazzling beauty OF
your magnificent city-it would be
strange, indeed, for me not to feel that
] have been somewhat rash, TO say the
least of it, in consenting to assume the
responsibilities Of position SO incom-
patible to my vocation, and SO contrary
to the accustomed duties of my daily
life; for, truly, it would tax the powers
of the most gifted orator to do full JUS
tice to the requirements of this occa-
sion, with all its patriotic associations
in the past, its present purpose, and its
future aims. And what is the charac-
ter of the occasion-what the nature of
the cause which has induced you thus
to give to it the sanction of your pres
ence ? Why have you left the cosy
comforts of your fireside this bleak De
cember night, and with one accord come
together here


1t is not for any selfish purpose you
have come-not to promote any scheme
of personal aggrandizement Or of mere
local improvement, neither is it simply
to enjoy the pleasures Of social inter
course, surrounded as we are be-
meath the frescoed dome of this
fair temple of the MUSES., by SO many
| and such varied attractions,


"To captivate the senses and control the soul.'
Nor has your presence on this occasion
any political significance-any connec-
ton whatever with the selfish struggles
of opposing parties-aud none, thank
| Heaven! with the sad and suicidal strife
of hostile sections.


No, ladies and gentlemen, the benign
and gentle auspices under which we
meet are of themselves sufficient guar
antee that no ordinary, selfish, or in any
way unworthy objects has promoted
your attendance, but that it is altogeth-
er for pure, a peaceful, and a patriotic
purpose. And how, indeed, could it be
otherwise under the patronage Of those
of our fair countrywomen who have
done us the honor to ask us here-not
only to participate with them i'll cele
brating under the twofold inspiration Of
patriotism and FLOWING cups,


1.-THE cups


That cheer but not ine5riate,"


that historic Tea Party" which took
place in Boston town, at Griffin's wharf
last night hundred years ago, when {
blow was struck for liberty whose vi
brations have not vet ceased TO be fell
throughout the circuit of the globe
but also aid them in their selt-imposed
and selfsacrifcing efforts in behalf o.
that grander memorial celebration o.
'76, which is to signalize the close of the
first century of American independence
and who, in thus giving TO that Centen
NAL the irresistible influence of theil
heads, their hands, and their hearts, art
emulating the noble example of thei
mothers in the heroic age of the Repuc
lie. when they dedicated themselves 81
unselishly, assiduously, and successful!
to the love and service of their country
and their countrys cause.


For the work in which these ladie.
are engaged, the cause for which the.
invoke our cooperation. is alsothe cans
of our country, and of our whole conn
try, in all its sections and in all its in
terests. And they who look upon it il
any other light, who regard it with TIT
iaundiced eyes of local jealousy, from
the low level of their prejudices, Cal
form but very narrow conception o
the all-embracing breadth and scope o
its truly national character and OF ii