Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-11-20
Speech of G0v..elect Holiday.

Upon the occasion of a serenade lb
his friends of Winchester, congratulat-
ing him upon his election, Gov. Holli.
day delivered an appropriate speech.
After an introduction to the assembly
by Captain J. M. Williams, and the SUBJ
sidence of the applause which followed.
Governor Holiday said:
My Friends,-I thank you for the
honor you confer upon me tonight. T
thank my distinguished friend for the
very graceful and eloquent manner in
which he has communicated your con-
CALCULATIONS.
A few months ago you assembled on
this spot to congratulate me on my nom-
ination. You meet now to congratulate
me on my election as Governor of Vir-
ginia. 1 am greatly honored in both.
and trust 1 may not prove unworthy.
have been singularly honored, too.
in having no opposition. For reasons
satisfactory to myself have made no
canvass. Not that I had any wish to
conceal my views; for they had been
uttered both before and after the nomi-
nation in manner not to be misunder-
stood. 1t was not my fault if they were.
In the contest just ended have never
apprehended any ultimate trouble
There is an Unborn patriotism belonging
to every Virginian that makes him put
the honor and fair name of his State
above all price and every other consid-
Grafton. They were won by the forui-
tude and blood of noble ancestry they
have been the cherished birthright of
their children, and will be, hope, for
generations to come. They have given
to our Common wealth whatever of glory
is hers, and cannot be bartered for a
mess of pottage.
When the Legislature meets, and the
smoke of the strife has drifted away,
and the chosen rulers look upon the
face of that Genius whose features have
never been marred by the touch of
shame, then the questions which have
so long vexed the minds of the people
will be settled, and Virginia, as so often
before, will come forth crowned with
another victory. bright as the sun, fair
as the moon, and terrible as an army
with banners"
There is a grand future before us if we
are true to ourselves and to her. A ter
rltory unsurpassed in beauty and fertiI-
lty; sea front whose harbors can gath
~ eAiS wealth. vi duu Seuu LII
forth upon the white. winged Inessen-
gers of commerce to the farthest borders
of the habitable globe, or can beckon
with hospitable hand to the labor and
capital of the world to come ard enjoy
with US the rich heritage; population
of sturdy yeomen and cultivated schol-
ars; the respect of all men for Il. eds Of
valor and words and works of wisdom :;
all these will be remembered when the
time for action comes, and the threaten
ed danger will vanish.
Let us all whatever be our lot, wheth-
err in the office, the store, the workshop,
Oh the road, or in the bounteous harvest
field amid the sickle and song eff the
reaper, with every pulsation of our
heart and stroke of our hand aim to adj
vance the honor AID prosperity of our
State, and I know she will answer from
her grateful and generous bosom hun
dred fold
Virginia will then rouse herself for a
future as honorable and more glorious
than her past, rejoicing like a giant to
run her race. May those who will be
clothed with the robes of office be equal
to that day
With these hopeful visions, my
friends, bid you good night.
For the SpEfvr ATOP