Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-07-27
Daybreak for the Virginia
Democracy!
rHEpaRTY REoRGAN1zED,

- u
JOHN s. BARBOUR IN THE LEAD
GOOD PLATFORM.
Reported for the SrAUNToN VINDIcAToR.1
LYNcHBURG, VA, July Is.
The Convention of the Democracy of
Virginia adjourned tonight, after the
most prompt, harmonious and practical
session that [ have known held by the
party in this State. There were banners
hung across the streets, enthusiasm among
the members, unity of purpose in the delib-
erstions. and victory in the air. ''This way,
Freemen," was inscribed on the flags, on
the admission tickets to the Convention,
and on the hearts of the delegates. "Old
man" Newberry, when he left the Malone
caucus at Richmond with that phrase,
builded better than he knew.
The hotels we're overrun and private
hospitality, which was unbounded, made
room for plumbers of the delegates.
Two points seemed we'll settled by the
delegates before they got here, and those
were that no color line should BIZ drawn,
and that John S. Barbour should be the
man to run the next campaign, if he could
be gotten to accept the responsibility. l
may say that Mr.. Barbour's choice by &C.
clamation of the Convention was but the
expression OF feeling that animated near
ly everyone before the members Of the body
had had any consultation.
Ex-State Treasurer Corbln Reynolds
was temporary Chairman of the body and
old Augusta appeared in the person Of
Gen. James A. Walker as Permanent
Chairman.
SPEECH OF JOHN S. BARBOUR.
When John S. Barbour was elected
by acclamation Chairman Of the State
Central Committee, he was vociforous
ly called for. He came into the Con-
vention and said that he appeared before
the Convention to express his profound
thanks for the high honor it had done him
on this occasion. He was no applicant for
the position had had no ambition for it,
and in making his acceptance he did so as
a matter Of duty, because that great party
of intelligence, character, and numbers
had called him to the duty. Said he ii: II
feel shat in undertaking to discharge this
duty I have assumed no light task. am
impressed not only with the serious char
acter of the dut ties, but with serious dis
trust of my abilities; but under such cir
cumstances did not feel free to refuse. l
felt that the younger men of the party,
men stronger, intellectually and physical
ly, than 1 am should make the fight for
the future of the State is for the young
men. 1t is not for men like me, who are
passing off the stage of life, as it were.
But I feel that I owe something to the
party. While 1 never sought its honors l
have received them. I 60 into this fight ex-
pecting the backing and cordial support of
the party. don't believe in losing the
fight. [Applause.] The fault will be
with US it we don't succeed
Mr.. Barbour went on to urge the young
or men Of the party to take the fight into
their hands. promising them cordial,
earnest, and unremitting support, and
saying that he didn't much believe in STILL
hunting with brass band, nor had he
much faith in committees, nor much in
platforms. Laughter But he had inf
mite teast in thu good sense OF the people,
and we can't afford to let this country be
dominated by any such crew. Their
strength must not be moderated, nor The
fact that they have most excellent and
willy leader ignored. What we must do is
be earnest and practical. The fact that he
had some little reputation as a practical
man, he doubted not. induced the Conven-
tion to select him for this position.
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED.
The platform was as follows: 1st. OPP
posed to any Increase of taxation, directly
or indirectly; I'd. Accepting as fnal the
settlement of the debt question and oppos-
ing any disturbance of it in any shape;
3rd. Favoring the abolishing Of the In
ternal Revenue system 4th. Favoring
Gariff for revenue limited to the necessities
of the government, adjusted so as to en-
courage productive interests at home;
5th. Pledging the Democratic party to the
support of the free schools, until every
child in the Commonwealth, white and
black may secure free education: 9th.
No mixed schools, but pledging to the col
ored people the management of the colored
schools, with colored trustees aud colored
teachers 18th. Economy in the govern.
ment; 9Th. Favoring real not sham civil
service reform; 9th. Opposed to "boss-
ism.''
The resolutions closed by an arraign-
ment of the Coalition party for its many
political crimes, and thanking John E.
Massey, Newberry, Lybrook, Hale, Will
liams and Wingfeld, for their steadfast
maintenance of the rights Of the people,
and re-afirming our alliance to the Nation
al Democratic Party.
THE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
The following is the new State Central
Committee, of which Mr.. Barbour is chair
man. He is also chairman of the State
Executive Committee by virtue of his first
position !:
First District-B. T. Gunter Accomac;
Phil. Gibson. King William; Thomas W
Gloucester; W. A. Jones, Richmond
county.
Second District--M. Glennan. Norfolk; |
DR.. j. F. Bryant, Southampton; j.. W. |
Hubbard. York; J. H. Odell, New Kent: |
DR.. George E. Rives, Prince George.
Third District-R. H. Cardwell Han
over; X. F. Beirne, Hanover; B. H. Nash, |