Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-11-12
HON. .BOEsN =. BARBOUR.


HON. John =. BARBOUR.
Hon. John S. Barbour met with a fitting
welcome upon his return to Washington
last night from his late trip to Europe. At
7:30 o'clock the Virginia democratic assoc-
ton met at their headquarters, 419 Tenth
street northwest. formed in line, with Pro.
fessor B!scoe in command, and, headed by
the Marine band, marched down Pennsyl-
vania avenue to the Baltimore and Potomac
depot on Sixth street, and awaited Mr.. Bar.
bour's arrival from New York. In front of
the procession as it marched down to the
depot was large transparency, upon which
| was noticed the following: Virginia Demo
| cratic Association Welcome Home, Hon.
| John S. Barbour"
Upon the arrival Of the New York express
| train, on which was MIR. Barbour, he was
met and conducted to a carriage in waiting,
and, accompanied by Representative Eus-
tace Gibson, Of West Virginia, John Goode,
of Virginia. and Mr.. Biscoe, president of the
| Virginia democratic association, took his
place in the procession composed of repre-.
seDtatives of the Virginia, Maryland and
| Columbia associations. AS Mr.. Barbour
proceeded to his carriage he was greeted
with great cheering, and as many as were
permitted shook his hand. After short
march down the avenue towards the Capt.
tol and back to the Metropolitan Hotel, Mr..
Barbour was shown to q parlor, where he
was greeted by large number of Virginia,
Maryland and District friends. The invited
guests then went out upon the balcony to
meet the thousands Of people assembled on
the sidewalk. Representative Gibson was
the first speaker, and, in few but we'll cho-
sen words, referred to the services which
MIR. Barbour had rendered to Virginia, and
concluded by saying: ut gives me sincere
| pleasure aud pride to present to you that
distinguished citizen and democrat, John S.
Barbour, Of Virginia" At the mention of
| Mr.. Barbouf's name the crowd broke into
loud and prolonged cheering. Mr.. Barbour
said:
"Mr. President and Fellow Citizens of
Washington 1 had no idea 10 coming here
this evening that should meet with such q
reception--a reception, let me say, that I
deeply appreciate. coming as it does from
noy Virginia friends and so largely of
the citizens of Washington. I believe
that he'd [ known that such a mag
nlhcent demonstration was in store for me
my natural modesty would have induced
n1e to avoid it, and should have proceeded
qristly through to Alexandria as l at first in.
tended. But could not, under such circum-
| stances, do otherwise than appear here, and
again thank ycu sincerely f0r the compli.
ment paid me 20 night. My command of
language, never very large, is inadequate to
this occasion. | have been abroad for the
last fur months. Ny health had become
impaired and thought that voyage across
toe ocean might improve it and, at the same
tlme, give mo an opportunity to observe the
political Institutions Of foreign countries
and 10 see Something of their practical eve.
~ day life as compared with those of our
own country. l have been among the
Scotch, the French, the German and the
slow moving EGgIishmaD, and return home
more Impressed than ever with the grandeur
and value CT the institutions of America.
l. do not propose TO detain you with further
remarks on that line. 1t is expected, az
sumo, that I should say something here to-
night 10 regard to tho political situation, es-
pecially in Virginia. I took the steamer
which left Europe for America on the 31st
of October, and consequently was on the
| ocean aud away from NIL sources of commu.
nication when the elections took place. We
did not reach New York until the evening
| of Monday last, and my first inquiry of
| friends on arrival was to the result of the
election. | confess TO the great surprise
| with which | received the report, and my
inability to interpret its meaning. When I
lefr home the democrats of Virginia were
confident of their ability to carry the State,
and the result astounded me. I knew that
there was some cause of complaint among
our people with regard to the admnistra-
ton. An impression seemed to prevail that
the executive authority was wanting in
sympathy with our democratic masses, and
To he of
who had put it in power. knew that the
men who did the real work and organized
success in 1884, had not been specially re-
cognized. Personally I wanted nothing,
and never asked anything for myself, but |
did think that the claims of our local lead
ersshould have received more consideration.
To this cause, Also may be added the |
failure Of a democratic Congress to meet |
the wishes Of cur people upon the matter of |
federal taxation and the imposition of in.
ternal revenue taxes. These causes of dis
satisfaction naturally produced apathy and
Kept democrats from the polls. But |
It makes no difference what any one does.
You cannot kill the democratic party, You
cannot kill it with mugwump of to-day.
1t will always live. / believe that the good
to be done, that the reform to be accom-
plished, must be wrought by the democratic
party. 1t has beeG said of our State that
we were at the birth of the democracy. We
gave it its father, and We gave it Jefferson.
l understand that there is some exultation
among our republican brethren over the re.
suit in our State, but can only say to them
that they must not be in too great hurry.
After having overcome the carpet. baggers,
the fusionists and the readjusters, is it
to be supposed that we intend to allow
them to steal our State from the ranks of
the democracy, where she rightly belongs
Oh, no! when the proper time arrives we
must settle all differences, pool all non.es.
sential issues and present an unbroken line
to our political enemies. The harmony of
the party is necessary for the prosperity of
tie country"
Ex-Soiicitor General Goode followed Mr..
Barbour. He spoke in eulogistc terms of