Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-03
VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS
Interesting Speeches at the Eighth Ami
Nersary of the Association Here.

Interesting Speeches at the Eighth Ami
versary of the Association Here.
The Virginia Republican Association cello
brated the eighth birthday of its life last night
in largely attended meeting at Grand Army
Hall, whore speeches and good cheer wers,both
parts Of the entertainment. Col. George NJ.
Arnold acted as master Of ceremonies. and after
calling the meeting to order introduced the
chairman Of the association. Mr.. J. III. Harrison,
who made pleasant little speech Of welcome
and read a brief outline of the history Of the
organization since its beginning.
THE PRESENT SITUATION.
At the conclusion Of his reading Mr.. Harri-
son introduced Mr.. Geo. Pryor OF Virginia.
who gave an interesting account of the present
situation Of Virginia politics and said that the
greatest problem of the day was that Of poll
tics. and especially was this true to the col
ored man. 1t was ungsnerous to practically
ignore 1,250, 900 voters in the matter of dis
pensing 10000 Offices. He said there was
sufficient colored republican vote in either New
York or Indiana to turn the political scales
either way.
There was no radical difference between the
professions and the practices of the two great
parties As regarded the colored race, and there
was no moral question nowadays In politics,
1t would be proud distinction to see a coiored
man In the cabinet, but to see the race highly
elevated In morals, in property and in educa-
ton was by far the grandest distinction
Ron. JOHN NJ. LANasroN.
Mr.. Pryor was followed by John NJ. Langston,
who made an earnest appeal to the association
to organize and increase its membership to aid
in 1892. as it did in 1888, to carry Virginia for
Harrison, Morton and Langston. The speaker
made reference to the Presidents speeches at
Laurel Hill and Paterson, n. j., and said that
such sentiments Mr.. Harrison had expressed
should endear him to every colored man in the
land. He also referred to the Presidents mes
sage, and said that what be had said in that
document showed he was the coIored man true
friend. The speaker appealed to the colored
voters to stand by the men who had been their
friends.
After the speeches refreshments were served
by the lady members of the auxiliary associa-
ton.
The secretary, Mr.. F. D. Lee, read letters of
regret from the Secretary Of the Navy and
others.
HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION.
This association was organized in 1888 under
the presidency of Mr.. Matthew Trimble, the
present assessor of this District. The pur-
keep up an interest with the many voters tenn
porarily residing in the District who are from
the state of Virginia, and to aid the republican
party by forwarding each man to his voting
precinct on all elections.
During the campaign OF Hon. John s. Wise
for governor of the state the society forwarded
!, 700 voters to the state. Again, in 1855. in the
national campaign, it sent !, 800 men.
In 1889 nearly 1000 voters were sent to Gen.
Mahone's rescue. The last great effort of the
association was in the helping to secure the
congressional delegation from Virginia tor the
republican party.
This organization has been represented in oil
conTentiOns held BY the National League clubs
al enrolled as mber of that body. Is
OH, ers are elected annually. John II. Harri-
son Of Alexandria, Va, is its present chairman.
He is an active politician, having attended all of
the important conventions held in the state for
the last seven or eight years, serving on some Of
the most important committees. He has twice
been chosen chairman of the organized voters of
the eighth Virginia district. Mr.. Harrison is
regarded as being one of the strongest repub-
licans in his district He has twice declined
small places offered him under the sdministra-
ton, prefering to use his influence for others.