Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1877-08-28
Col. HolIidaN's Speech.

The people Of Winchester sere>
naded Col. Holiday On hearing he
was nominated for Governor, and
in reply he made them the follow
ing handsome speech:
My FRIENDS AND NEIGuBoRs.-I
thank yoa for this compliment. But
no! | will not take it to myself,
take it as an offering to the grand
Convention of Virginiahs assembled
in the Capital of the State, for hav-
ing conferred so great an honor upon
one of your fellow citizens
And, surely, no one appreciates it
more highly than myself. | do not
seek it, because | thought it too high
to be sought by any man, thought
others than myself must be the Judge
of my fitness for so exalted a station
and now that the crown is handed
me over such experimentation
distinguished by all those noble qual>
tiles that have made Nirginian's res
nown,' eminent i'll peace and war
soldiers and statesmen whose names
have filled the mouths of all the
people and are now part OF their
cOnntry's history-this is an honor
that ought to satisfy the most ambi-
tious.
Rut, my friends, whilst it gives
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 bus
mess here at such an hour" when |
look back over the long line of illus
trious men, beginning with Patrick
Henry and ThUs. Jefferson, whom, If
elected, | will succeed when | think
of the transceudant memories Of my
State, known wherever the English
language is spoken or read, and ri.
valliug that of any nation that lives
in history when recall the stories
Of her trim phs when peace rcigncd,
and her victories on the field of arms
when | think Of her in the days of
her prosperity, when refinement and
purity prevailed in all her borders,
and the faint Of diehonor came not
nigh her Escutcheon, and reflect that
it falls to my lot, now in this her
hour Of trial, to speak and act in her
name and behalf, and uphold her
ancient standard | forget all per-
sonal considerations, and self is
swallowed up in the sense Of vast re-
sponsiblity.
pray that, should the people con-
firm the action of the Convention =,
and put on the robes Of Office, self
may lever more appear until they are
laid aside,
IL you are gratifed at my elevation,
cannot express to you my gratifca.
ton at your choice. Here | was
born and reared, fere all my life has
been spent, and here | hope to be
buried. You know me better than
al! tAe world beside, and you took me
with wonderful unanimity and pre-
scented me to the people of the State
as your choice for Governor Ii it is
an honor to be chosen by one of the
! grandest Conventions that ever as,
sembled. | regard it as no less an
honor to be presented for that choice
by such people as inhabiC this Val
ley.
But when l have this quiet town to
act as the Chief Magistrate of this
| Commonwealth, | shall know no sec,
| ton Whilst We love our beautiful
Valley, we love, too, the State Of
which she is part, aud we have al
ways contributed of our treasure, our
labor, and our blood to maintain her
| prosperity aud honor.
So now, whether in the mountains.
Piedmont, SouthSide, or by the sea,
| shall think only Of how l can make
Virginia in all her domain happy,
prosperous, and glorious.
Again thanking you, my friends, l
bid you goodnight.
At the conclusion Of his remarks.
which were greeted with rounds of
applause, an air was played by the
band, and the crowd slowly dispersed.