Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-05-20
DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION.


A LARGE AND HARMONIOUS BODY-EvERY
COUNTY DELEGATES TO
THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC coNyEN-
TIoN-DEMoCRATIc ELECTORS CHOSEN
NO INSTRUCTIONS, BUT THE SENTIMENT
IN FAVOR OF TILDEN-NO DISPUTE ON
THE TARIFF-THE PLATFORM ADOPTED.
The Democratic State Convention met in
the Theatre in Richmond at 10 O'Clock on
last Wednesday. 1t was a full and fair
representation of the Democratic party of
this State. Every county was represented,
and it is reported that near seven hundred
delegates were in attendance. The pro-
ceeding were harmonious, and the best
spirits prevailed. We condense the pro-
ceedings from the long and full report of
the Dispatch, and publish as much as our
space will allow. They will be read with
interest, and will cheer the heart of eyery
good Democrat.
MIR. BARBOUR.
Mr.. Barbour appeared on the stage soon
after IL O'Clock, and his presence was the
occasion for spontaneous, hearty, and
joyous burst of applause. He personifed
the victory of last fall, and for that and be-
cause of his personal worth the people we're
glad to see him; glad to honor him. He
bowed his thanks and said
In accordance with the recommendation
of the State Executive Committee, have
come forward to call this meeting to order
and to nominate for your acceptance tenn
porary chairman. Before doing so, how
ever, hope l will be excused in saying a
word or two to the representative men of
the Democratic party of Virginia sembled
here today.
hope 1 may be excused in referring to
the improved circumstances and better out
look which surrounds us to-day than when
we assembled in July last at Lynchburg.
At that time uncertainty as to the future
and anxious solicitude occupied our minds.
We did not know our own strength, be-
cause we had been going along saying: we
have lost elections, we have lost the Legis-
lature, the Executive, and that the Judi
ciary had gone from us. Grave doubts
existed whether we would be able to win
But am here to say that under the eff
forts made by the great body of the people,
by the able assistance of your State Execu-
tive Committee, doubt disturbs us no long
er We came through great battle, in
which we recovered the Legislature, and
came Though with our colors flying. ZAP
plause.] A fairer, cleaner, political fight
was never made. Renewed applause ]
Our political opponents had all the political
machinery in their hands, and the power of
election officers, courts, and all the adjuncts
necessary to strengthen their position, but
we routed them-horse, foot, and dragons
Loud applause Now they have the in
expressible meanness not to accept what
was legitimate action of the people, but
set up the whine that they have been bull
dozed. Not only did they publish this to
the country, but they went to Washington
and invoked the action of the Republican
party, dominant in the Senate of the United
States, and asked their interposition. Why,
sirs, such thing would have disgraoed the
worst days of the reconstruction period,
when we had military governors here to re-
port what the people were doing
My friends and gentlemen of the Con-
vention, as far as the investigation at
Washington goes, think its result was a
sort Of flash in the pan. The gentleman
WHO Seeineu W Ue dC LIE nedu OF tno CON-
mittee found that there was a little riot of
his own at home. Laughter. He found
| that there was some white blood split in
| Cincinnati, and made up his mipd that he
would stop farther Investigation in our
case.
We are now about to enter another can
vass, and it is your duty to prepare the
machinery for that. am instructed to
nominate gentleman for temporary chair
man well known to our people and dixtin-
guished for his public services. l nominate
Hon. John T. Harris, of the county of
Rockingham.
Agreed to.