The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-29
Speech, Of the Hon. John =. Harbour
MT The Eynchbur. Convention.

below we HlNt tDt Iull i'Nl VI tbt oBNC'i
OF the Hon. John 5. Barbour delivered in
the Lynchburg Convention upon his ac'
ceptance of the Craftsmanship OF the State
Democratic Committee:
Mr.. President aud Gentlemen OF the
Conventional appear before you to eX-
press my profound thanks for the great
honor which this Convention has conferred
upon me. am fully impressed with the
difficulties and responsibilities involved in
the acceptance Of the position. was not an
applicant for 1t, and had INDUCED the hope,
i'm view Of my engagements and business re-
lat;ons otherwise. that some one OF greater
leisure and more active and competent
should have been selected as chairman OF
your committee. | have no personal po-
litlcal ambitions, present or future, to
crafty, and in accepting the trust do so
only as matter OF high duty and Obliga-
ton to the great party to which we all be-
long. am not willing to avoid the dis
charge of any duty which this body OF
representative men OF our State may decide
TO assign me. however II may conflict with
personal considerations or my private con-
yenience.
The Democratic party Of Virginia repre-
sents the great mass OF the intelligence,
culture, integrity, and property OF the
State, and with such elements the party
ought to be able to organize its resources
in such form and manner as to accomplish
success.
NV friends, feel that YOU have entrust-
ed TO me duties not Only arduous in the
extreme, but Of the most serious and I'M
portant character, and in undertaking to
discharge them / am fully aware that |
f.r.i.t 4 4..af \
thoroughly impressed with the labor thus
imposed, and am none the less impressed
with distrust Of my ability to satiSfacto-
rlly discharge the responsible duties OF the
position. mentioned TO friends who spoke
| TO me on the subject OF my possible nomi-
nation that | ought to he excused, and that
there were men better fitted, physically and
| in other respects, to take the lead in the
management OF this important campaign.
! thought that the younger men OF the party
should have been called upon TO conduct
a canvass in which they especially have so
much at stake. TO the young men Of the
! State the domain OF the future properly be-
longs, and they are most deeply interested
in the consequences Of the approaching
election. As, however, it has been the
pleasure OF the Convention to order it
otherwise, on taking charge OF the organi-
cation / shall rely to great extent upon
the earnest assistance and cordial co0pera-
ton OF the young men Of the party TO do
the more effective work required TO secure
success.
Gentlemen OF the Convention, we have a
higher duty TO perform. 1t will be small
matter 10 select me as chairman OF your
State Committee unless have your cordial
ny he :, AL
point in selecting "a chairman Of the COM
mttee as q mere formality and figure
head. lie must not only draw his inspira-
ton from the great body Of the party, but
he should also have to the fullest extent
your moral and material support. Under
such influences, and with the combined
efforts and energies Of our party through
out the State, believe we will be able to
achieve a glorious success.
We cannot allow this Coalition party to
control the destinies OF Virginia. 1t has
already captured and holds control Of the
executive and judicial departments Of the
State, and we must, Cor our own protection,
ii practicable, wreSt from them the Legisla-
ture. II we fail to do this at the approach
ing election. we may as well surrender TO
them the permanent domination OF the
State.
Our mistake in the past to large extent
has been made in undertaking the strength
Of the adversary.
i Experience demonstrates we have a
powerful and thorougly-organized party TO
contend with-thoroughly equipped and
directed by able and astute leadership.
We must meet these conditions with the
best efforts and energies that we may be
able TO command.
l am not one Of that class who believe
in defeat, but entertain the sentiment that
II the great heart OF the Democratic party
Is Thoroughly aroused we are able to com.
mand success. Personally L pledge my
very best energies to the cause.
While l appreciate the great compliment
Just paid ne, l do not assume it as per-
sona to myself. | feel that much of il Is
due to recognition Of that sound and
conservative section OF the State from
which | come. and to that invincible
Eighth congressional district, which have
the honor 10 represent in the Congress OF
the United States, and which has never
Jailed in its answering devotion to the
Democratic party. 1t matters not what
candidates are whether they
come from the East or from The West,
from one section OF the State or from an
other--the Eighth district has never failed
TO roll up its large maiorities, and has
always borne the Democratic banner In
triumph.
l regard my selection as chairman OF
your State Committee also as in evidence,
10 some extent. OF the purpose OF the party
10 give the canvass more practical direc-
ton, as my experience and pursuits have
been heretofore identified with the more