Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-08-21
SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER
From the Winchester Times, Aug. 18th.
The Nomination.

OuA CltIZtuS were uOC kepC very well
posted as to the proceedings of the Con-
vention last week. No information was
received after the third ballet until a tele-
gram from Mr.. J. P. Rieley announced
the nomination of Colonel Holiday,
who was quietly attending to his bosi-
ness in his office, apparently as little
interested as any man in town. But
the welcome news circulated rapidly,
and he was soon besieged by hosts Of
friends anxious to offer their congratu-
lations. During the evening, and until
late hour at night, his house was
thronged by crowds of citizens, while
numbers waited in the vicinity of his
residence in anticipation of a demon
stration which would bring the gallant
gentleman out. In the meantime be
Fred. Holiday Artillery had resur-
rected the old field piece near the depot
and were firing a salute of fifteen
guns. About 10 O'Clock the Light In
tantry and the Artillery, headed by the
Winchester Band, marched up, and af-
ter serenade, the Colonel was called
out and responded in a brief, appropri-
ate and very modest speech, substan.
TALLY as follows:
MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBoRs-1
thank you for this compliment. But
no! Twill not take il to myself; take
it as an offering to the grand Conven-
ton of Virginians assembled in the
Capital of the State, for having conferred
| SO great an honor upon one of your fell
low citizens.
| highly than myself. [ did not seek it,
because I thought it too high to be
sought by any man. I thought others
than myself must be the Judge of my
fitness for so exalted q station and now
that the crown is handed me over such
competitors distinguished
by all those noble qualities that have
made Virginia's renown; eminent in
peace and war-soldiers and statesmen
whose names have filled the mouths oil
all the people and are now part Of
their country's history-this Is an honor
that ought to satisfy the most ambitious.
But, my friends, whilst it gives you
so much pleasure, / feel that mine is
overshadowed at this time with the
sense of my responsibilities.
Ambition, with its attendants Pride
and Arrogance, "have no business here
at such an hour" When I look bach
over the long line of illustrious men
beginning with Patrick Henry ane
Thomas Jefferson, who, if elected,
will succeed; when 1 think of The
transcendant memories of my State
known wherever the English language
is spoken or read, and rivaling that O.
any nation that lives in history; when
I recall the stories of her triumphs
when peace reigned, and of her victorie.
ON the field of arms; when I think O
her in the days of her prosperity, when
refinement and purity prevailed in all
her borders, and the faint of dishonol
came not nigh her escutoheon, and re
fleet that it falls to my lot, now in thil
her hour of trial, to speak and act il
her name and behalf, and uphold he
ancient standard-I forget all persona
considerations, and self is swallowed VI
in the sense of vast responsibility.
| I pray that, should the people confirm
the action of the Convention, and I pu
on the robes of Office, self may neve
more appear till they are laid aside.
If you are gratified at my elevation,
cannot express to you my qualification
at your choice. Here I was born an(
reared, here all my life has been spent
and here I hope to be buried. Yol
know me better than all the world be
side, and you took me with wonderful
unanimity and presented me to the peo
pie of the State as your choice for Gov
ernor. If it is an honor to be chosen
by one of the grandest Conventions tina
ever assembled, 1 regard it as no less an
honor to be presented for that choice by
such a people as inhabit this Valley.
But when l leave this quiet town t.
act as the Chief Magistrate of this Com
monwealth, shall know no section.-
While we love our beautiful Valley, we
love, too, the State of which she is {
part, and we have always contributed
Of our treasure, our labor, and our blooe
to maintain her prosperity and honor.
So now, whether in the Mountains
Piedmont, Southside, or by the Sea,
shall think only Of how I can make
Virginia in all her domain happy, pros
porous, glorious.
Again thanking you, my friends,
bid you good night.
At the conclusion of his remarks
which were greeted with rounds of ap-
plause, an air was played by the band
and the crowd slowly dispersed.