The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-14
IIsIIIg !WuIS q uIg'
CHARLES Y. O'FERRALL.
WASHINGTON. November 70. 1SS

Dear Sir,-I very highly appreciate the
very courteous Invitation your letter con-
yeys 10 be one OF the speakers ut the cele-
bration OF Virginia's victory oN er a cOmbi-
nation more bumiliating than has fallen to
the lot Of any other State.
For her patriotism, the grandeur Of her
contributions to the liberties and the terri
tory OF the Union, her devotion TO the
principles OF that democracy which seeks
The greatest good TO the greatest number,
love and honor Virginia. Her sons, side
by side with those of Massachusetts,. took
the lead IN securing our independence and
moulding the institutions under which has
since grown to its present dimensions our
great republic. In its beginning she gave
VS. Washington, Randolph, Henry, Jefler-
son, Madison. and a host OF other great
men. But her influence in moulding our
subsequent development as Democratic,
representative Government OF the people,
by the people, and for The people, has been
fer greater than that OF any other State.
For that we and unborn generations will
thank her and owe her a debt OF gratitude,
which will grow with the coming centu-
res. Why! Because to her is due that
democratic instead OF IN aristocratic and
centralizing development:which has been
the source OF our greatness hitherto, and
has become the law Of cur future growth.
The student and statesman, who know
that constitutions are the formal express
sion OF the laws and genius Of a nations
political growth rather than the cause,
will not fail 10 note that JefIersOn's demo-
cratic interpretations thereof, never with
out determined and combined opposition.
have substantially marked our line OF po-
litical life, and are to-day explicitly or i'm
plicitly held by three fourths OF the Anne
rican people.
They are so inwrOught that were the
theorists TO disregard them they will con-
tinue to control and shape our future
growth and greatness, which can only be
prevented by failure TO work ont their le-
ultimate and reasonable prescriptions.
Virginia laid the foundations OF this
true Democracy.
In spite Of intrinsic forces and the warp
ing influence Of selfish politicians. through
our yet imperfect methods. obtaining a
temporary cOntrol-inevitable as vet in all
parties-from the days OF Jefferson down
to the present hour the Democratic party
has been the constant defender and ex-
positor Of these principles. 1t has under
SlOOu tEc True genius OF
our system. IL has been the home OF I'M
waveriug faith IN the future OF our Gov
ernment and the representative OF the true
feelings OF the great American people.
When political leaders have made mistakes.
when temporary causes have drawn us
aside from the pathway Of our true de-
velopment, the instructive convictions of
the great Democratic masses have brought
Us back to its vital principles.
IL cannot be too often repeated that the
great laws OF our Democratic growth are
stronger than any organization or person.
and they are poor statesmen and worse
leaders who undertake to subordinate
these laws to their combinations OF inter-
est or ambition.
Let us never forget that ours is a system
new in the worlds history. Ii is the first
great systematic attempt TO found a gov
ernment OF the people, by the people, and
for the people, representative Democra-
cy, composed OF indestructible. self-gov.
erning States. indissolubly united under
one supreme sovereignty established for
the common veal.
IL now contains thirty-eight States. but
with strict conformity to the principles
OF our Democracy there is no reason why
u may not comprise three hundred and
eighty.
To the people OF Europe the spectacle of
thirty-eight or any larger number OF self.
governing States supporting one army and
one navy, bound to protect each and all |
against foreign invasion and domestic yio-
lence; without interior lines OF fortjfca. |
lon, OF military, OF fiscal, or OF political |
ponce; with one postal system. one system
OF coinage, weights, and measures. and n |
judicial instead Of diplomatic system for
the settlement OF Interstate and citizens,
disputes, In lieu OF all the costly burdens
anu subtractions from productive indus
NY, under which labor there groans. must
be wonder; while to Ills OF the western
continent, especially TO us who are chiefly
producers, 1t Is banner Of hope which we
must vow ever to uphold.
The producing classes OF this country
are naturally with the Democracy, because
we are with them and of them. Their In.
erests are ours and ours theirs. In our
american Democracy lies their true hope.
ihelr separation from each other weakeDs {
'hu exposes our common interest 10 be-
ONE the prey OF class and capitallstic le-
'islation and administration, with all the
llterlor consequences OF excessive poverty
'nd excessive wealth; while behind those
ppears The gigantic shadow OF appeals TO
orce--a'l Of which united. law-and -order
american Democracy, caring for the pro- i
"''hy people fits own} ard sfeadilv pro- v
'c1tns the Just Interests OF capital, its IN