Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-27
MR. W. W. SCOTT ARMED.
The Democratic state Committee
Present Him witt; Fine
FOuitag.Piece.

A number OF the members of the
Democratic State Committee met last
night III tie gentlemen's parlor of the
Exchange Hotel for the purpose OF pre-
senting tie able and jealous secretary of
that body with testimonial of their re-
CORD for his services III behalf OF De-
mocracy. Mr.. Scott is known TO have q
weakness for field sports, and the com
mittee, conscious OF that fact, deter
mined TO present him with a gun.
MIR. 4. NJ. Bowman, of SaltyIlle, was
the medium through which the purchase
was made, and well did he perform that
duty. The gun, which is a handsome
hammerloss breech-loader Of Colts pat
Tern, was made TO order in Hartford,
Conn. On the grip OF the piece Is a sill
yer plate with this inscription:
"Presenied 20 W. ". Scott by ine members OF
tbc Virginia state Democratic Committee az a
teg'monial OF their appreciation Of his services
IS their Secretary In the campaign OF 1885,"
Senator James Gordon, OF Albemarle,
on behalf Of the committee, made the
presentation, and when it is said that he
did tho subject and himself full justice
those who have heard the young Senator
know full well what that means.
In accepting the gilt Mr.. Scott said :
Gentlemen OF tho Committee.-NO doubt this
ought 20 be very much OF n surprise party, and,
70 be thoroughly orthodox IOnght NOT only 10 De
prised. which | Cm not. ! would ike TO say that
1 am, for IL would constitute the customary good
apology for poor speech but it Is well known
tha, whatever may be my individual aptitude In
~ f1a ~ n mi
cratic committee not only cannot tell q lie, -
but may not even preyarcate. And 20
| have 10 confess that | am not only not sur
prised, bus have rather been expecting this gun
aud awaiting this occasion ever since that fatcul
day In November when every patriot heart Was
beating with hope but apprehensiye till the sun
Scnt down aud the wires began 10 pulsate with
the tiGings OF our glad victory.
Be 10 understood, in the first place, that this
handsome souvenir brings no suggestions Of n
"ShOtgun Democracy and that the committees
do not "Rive away themselves IN giving such a
token 70 their secretary.
The "clOse season In politics is here IL such
q time Is ever In Virginia. True 10 Is, l under
stand, that In some Of the districts you cannot
fire q random shot In the bushes without bring
ing down 4 candidate for Congress; that IL you
venture into tho slashes you may pepper u
would-be Governor unawares; aud that IN cor
tain municipalities even q blank cartridge
might work havoc TO whole c0yeyS OF cdndi-
dates. such things have been and will
bo In tho old State as long az elections
come as regularly az the vernal and
autumnal eQuiuOxes; but the state Committee
do not hope nor expect b break them up with
this gun. Their gift ia rather n recognition Of
the fact that they have kept their secretary and
bis faithful and accomplished associates too long
In the marshes and mire hunting up jack snipe
Republicans when plump partridges were
plenteOus in the fields and gorgeous gobblers
we're strutting glOriOusly on the mountain tops.
It Is too fine a gun 10 bo used on Virginia he
4 g..
on the crnnks OF our own party-the enthusiast
who swears We will carry Rockingham, the
croaker who calls Charlotte doubtful.
o. that tt could DO made generally known that
it Is chOke-bOred. and point blank every time
that Ktll-ee-Crank-ee is its Chinese equivalent
that it viii "shOot folly as Il flies with unerring
precision. and go OF half-c0cked at Mugwumps,
Independents, ana all Gsoreanzersl
But even IN this presence realize the fact that
tho feryor Of the canvass, the enthusiasm and
galore Of our triumph, are things Of the past
Our Incompatible chief, by an unprecedented
unanimlty In caucus and Legislative halls, has
been awarded the just need OF his wise states
manship and unriyalled ability az q party
leader. Our adyersaries. no longer aOle 10 cops
with us, are quarrelling among themselves
Wise's league with Riddles coyenant-and Ma
hone Il trying 10 thaw John sherman into an
issue, while the Billiards are still raging In the
West
All is serene In our ranks. We have at last
found tho true antdOte TO the poison OF asps-
the coupon and deot agitation Of the past un-
happy years. Our revenues, husbanded and
wisely administered, are equal 70 the Just de-
mauds upon tho Treasury without increase Of
taxation-oIr plighted faitD TO the people. Peace
and good order are here, contentment aud pros
perily In sight
Aftor 80 many years Of war and blight. Of re-
construction and adversely. OF public calamity
and individual priTation. the old state Is on her
feet once more: the light OF other days IL on
her face: her shield, new burnished. shines a.
the rising sun before the eyes OF her people, and
Sic SempeT Mdh0hfs Is her motto OF to-day. 1he
yeomen who have again set her free are her
Democratic sons. their leaders these committees
that they themselves have chosen
accept. my friends. with the proudest emo
tons and with deeper sensibility than words can
express. this souvenir OF your appreciation OF
my services as yosr secretary: and as each re-
curing anniversary OF our victory shall roll
around will sing my paan OF Beute yfrtsse "
dSdf Guid hoe cssHiGtu, and with IL will fire
double-shotied salute In homer Of you gentle
men who, under Providence, haze rescued the
state from peril and anchored her IN the safe
harbor OF JeTersonan democracy There may
she abide forever. and forever may your triumph
shine as good deed in a naughty woridi
The following telegram to MIR. Bow
man from United States Senator John 5.
Barbour was read:
Nothing but imperative prior engagement
could have prevented me from being present to-