Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-11-19

invitation to be present tonight | have
yielded more TO sense Of what thought
owed to the people of Richmond than from
any desire to crafty my personal inclina-
tons. The pomp, circumstance, and pa
geantry which are displayed in honor of
our great political victory are far outweigh
ed by the internal pleasure and profound
satisfaction which I feel in my heart of
hearts ut the result of the national election
and the success of the democratic party. 1t
was indeed grand result, the beneficial
consequences of which cannot he exagger
ated to the whole country, and especially to
the people Of the Southern States. The
mind is too full and the occasion and excite
ment too recent to interpret now the full
significance of this important event. 1t
cannot be Described by words or measured
| by the light of political precedents. It's
parallel cannot be found in the annals of
American political history, for the reason
that similar conditions never heretofore ex'
listed. IL means new and better political
era, aud new life to Virginia and the whole
South, not that we will ask any interposi-
lion OF the Federal Government in our be-
half. Far from it. We simply ask 10 be
TIRE ated like other States Of the Union. TO be
| regarded as equals in the national family
circle, and not to be dealt by as the step
children of the household. We desire only
the recognition in the Government which
is &C, orded to others, and to take our place
again as part and parcel of the republic.
We have, indeed, good cause TO rejoice.
We have the Union of our Fathers restored
We will once more see the United States
laws enforced in the spirit in which they
were made. We will be rid of thai" often
sive personal partisan execution of the laws
which the Federal Government has chosen
TO inhict upon the Southern people. We
will know no more pestiferous aud MERGE
nary class of office holders who have an
moved our people and debauched rs far rs
lay in their power, the public morals.
The incoming administration, / assume,
will not be personal, but representative
President Cleveland will be expected to
stand squarely upon the platform of princi
Piles enuuciated at Chicago. He can find
no better chart for his voyage on his own
account and in the interest of the country.
This will imply the reform of the govern
ment in all of lis departments, the reduc
ton Of taxation and expenses. The inter
ests Of capital and labor will be protected
and duly cared for; but, above all, the vel
fare of the American people will be looked
to and held rs paramount. We have, my
friends, achieved great political victory.
I trust by wisdom and moderation, its
fruits may be permanent.
1t seems to me that prosperous political
periods like those in material and industrial
pursuits, subject to alterations, run in cy.
| Giles, and now that we are about to make II
new departure, l indulge the confident
hope that the democratic party will repeat
its past history; and now that it has again
resumed power, will maintain its supreme
CIV and control Of the Government for many
wears 10 come.
It would mol be Citing that | should con
.clude these remarks without some refer.
ence to the election in Virginia. Notwith-
standing all the efforts and combinations OF
our political advcrsaries, we have held the
old State fast and firm in the democratic
column. We have repeated the great vic
tory of 1888. never for a moment mis-.
trusted the result As | sat by the wires in
Alexandria or that eventual night Of the
4th OF November and the returns came
in, although some discouragng losses
were reported, the reinsurance came rs
soon as we got the reports from the
white counties along either side q!
the Blue Ridge mountains, the grea!
backbone of the State, and, confirmed
| 10y the tiGlUgS from southwest VII
ginia, we felt that the old State was right,
let The rest of the country vote as it might.
We had fearful odds to encounter. We
had to meet not only the detection Of IN
element of the white people in our midst,
but we had the colored vote massed against
us rs was never united before, and, n |
trust, will never be combined again in the
light of their own interests And / take
leave here to declare that the election Of
democratic President will operate no inju'
~ to the colored man. His legal and con-
stitutional rights will bo as fully conceded
as those of the white man-neither more
nor less. But he had AS we'll understand
that he must cease TO be treated as ward OF
the nation, but must stand up like other
people, and work out his own salvation.
The democratic party would not hurt IL hair
of his head, but leave him where be has
been cast under the full protection of the
laws and Constitution.
In this great drama thank God that
have been allowed to play my part, howov.
er humble and inefficient it may have been
performed.
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