The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-21
A DEMOCRATIC GATHERING.

General Siocum, in his speech ct Mozart
Academy Monday night before the assemblage
there gathered TO welcome Governor Hill,
struck tho keynote of the sense Of the meet
ing when he said that it was the most gener-
Gus audience he had ever addressed. He re-
marked that when the name of Grover Cleve-
land was mentioned the round after round Of
vociferous cheering that greeted it caused
him to believe that it was Cleveland meet
ing. When. later on, Mr.. German was men
toned in connection with the presidency an
other round of cheers induced him 10 think
that the Maryland Senator was substantial
favorite. When after that, Senator Voorhees,.
of Indiana, was spoken of another outburst
Of loud cheers led him - think that the
Western statesman was decidedly popular;
but finally. when he heard the prolonged APP
plause which greeted Governor Hill as he
arose to speak. he became convinced that IT
was purely Democratic meeting ready TO
honor any Democrat in the country who was
entitled to the plaudits Of his party.
General Slocum was right That was not
q Hill meeting nor a Cleveland meeting.
Neither was it German or Voorhees, or any
other individual gathering. It was simply
and solely an outpourng Of Virginia Demo
Gratis gathered together 10 greet distln-
guished Northern Democratic leader. and to
listen to Democratic sentiments from his lips
and from the lips Of the other distinguished
members and lights Of the Democratic party
who accompanied him. II was a meeting
which in unmistakeable tones declared its
sentiments 10 be for the Democratic party OF
the Union. and showed that the Democracy
Of Virginia cares not who leads them 50 he be
q tried and true Democrat.
And what is true Of Virginia is true Of the
whole South. as Governor Hill and his party
will be fully convinced before they return to
their Northern homes. The South is solidly
Democratic and Democratic all through be-
cause her every interest is bound up in the
Democracy Of the Union. She recognizes
that the Democratic is the only non-
sectional and patriotic party in the
country that its opponents are her special
enemies. always seeking her degra-
dation and humiliation. and ready to deprive
her Of liberty AMI all rights and bind her
hand and foot with Force bills. In a word,
her very existence depends upon the success
of Democratic principles and, therefore. she
must and always will. so long as she has 10
contend against sectionalism aud is herself
made political issue in the country, remain
Democratic to the core. For her 10 be any
thing else would be for her to vote deliber-
ately for her own destruction, and for reign
Of injustice and anarchy throughout her ter
ritory.
For this reason. while there is no doubt
that ex-rresident Cleveland is by long odds
the first choice of tie Soutbern--as he is Of
the Northern-nasses for the next Dem
cratic presidential nomination. if Governor
Hill, or any other well known and trusted
Democrat shall become the choice OF the
convention, he will at once be-
come the choice Of the South. II would.
therefore. be unwise. in the highest degree, for
any Southern Democratic newspaper. or any
southern Democratic gathering, to attack any
possible Democratic candidate. since, come he
rom North. South, East or West, the South
must heartily indorse and help elect him. The
Democratic motto. Principles. not Men,"
was the controlling sentiment OF the Mozart
meeting in this city Monday night. and Will be
he controlling sentiment of every Demo
ratio gathering held in the South. as it
should he of every such meeting held any
where III the United States.