The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-20

Called to Order bv the state Chai'ma"-'"o
First Business transacted.

Called TO Order bv the State Chairman-Ihe
FIRST Business Transacted.
che Convention was called to order by
Mayor J. Taylor Ellvson as chairman OF the
Democratic State committee. lie made an
eloouent address in his inimitsble style, and
at once captured the Convention. Mr.. Ely
| spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention / come into
your presence to-day. oppressed WITH a sense
/ OF sorrow for which can find no httinR eA-
preston a. am reminded that stand IN the
| place occupied in every convention tor nearly
a decade by one who 10 more Will greet our
ewes and whose voice has been silenced ior-
ever by the hand Of death.
realize this morning as never before what
was meant to the Democracy OF Virginia by
/ the tidings borne over the electric hnes 10
| every corner Of this great land on SATURDAY
/ last that John ). Barbour was no more. NJ
! Barbour was. during long and eventiul NE
! ever the cherished and faithful representa-
tive # bis people and as no other man was
the true trusted and the successful leader OF
his party.
FAITHFUL IND WISE.
II was nv privilege. during several OF the
most eventiul campaigns, 10 become intimate
lv associated with him, and those who know
him best will testify that no man. IN all the
Democratic most Of Virginia. was ever moro
faithful or wiser. or more self-sacrlhcihs thah
he Virginia to-day mourns the loss Oh son
whom she was ever ready 10 honor VINO III
every position OF public trust was always
faithful servant.
You have assembled to-day. gentlemen, IN
the discharge of a most important trust com
mitted to you by the people OF TINS state.
am sure that you come with full rsauzatioh
Of the importance OF tins gathering WIN
keen appreciation OF the responsibility that
|
whatever sentiments may have divided us III
our selection Of delegates to the Convention.
once having crossed the tnreshhoid OF
this hall we are united band OF orotheTs
animated toy common desire 10 10 tnat
which Is the best promotive Of the highest III
terests of Virginia: for feel that we are All
alike animated. not only by tho worthy sspi-
ration that our deliberations shall he chaTac,
terized with a spirit OF harmony ana
unity. but what is far more important, That
in all our actions we chall dlsplay that lofty
patriotism which sinks self in the desire to
advance the interests Of the Commonwealth
and the best welfare of the nation.
THE LAST CHAIRMAN.
Three years ago. in this very hall. you call
ed to the chairmanship Of the party 10y unanl-
nous voice the Hon. Basil Is. Gordon. who.
after one of the most successfully conducted
campaigns ever managed IN the history OF
this Commonwealth was by reason OF III
H.
succeed him as chairman of the State COM
mittee always felt that when his health
should be restored IT would be his privilege
10 return 10 the position to which he was ny
your voice chosen. and have SO informed
him.
THE RESPONSIBILITY.
entered upon my duties as chairman with q
full appreciation of the responsibilities and
cares OF the position. and have endeayored 10
f..FT
ability. / have always realized that next 10 my
duty to God and nv family my highest obi
CATION was to the State which gave me birth.
! have believed and do now believe that !
can N no better way advance the interests OF
my people than by seeking 10 perpetuate the
principles of that party which IS most dear to
the heart OF every mcmter of this Conyen-
ton and whether It shall in the future be my
privilege to stand as your leader. or to take
my place as private in the ranks. be assured !
gentlemen Of this Convention. that / shall |
not permit any man IN all this Common |
wealth 10 surpass me either in devotion 10
the cause OF in an unfagging determination !
10 do all that lies in my power TO advance !
the interests of the Democratic party.
Mr. EllysOn then announced the temporary
officers as elected by the state committee on
the previous evening. and introduced Mr.. |
John +. Ryan. the temporary chairman. as
one Of the most faithful and honest Democrats
ID the State.
Mr. Iyan. in taking the chair. made a few
remarks thanking for the honor conferred
upon him and told the Convention that be
was no mans man. that be would 90 to Chi
csgo to vote for the best man IN the Demo- !
cratic party.
DIR. HOGt PRAYED.
Rev. Moses D. Hoge, D. d.. then offered |
the following prayer
The earth is thine. 0 Lord. and the fulness |
thereof the world and they that dwell therein |
Thou hast created all things and thou !
carest for that thou hast created. Thou /
rulest all things and rulest all things well. for /
thy kingdom founded on wisdom. Justice and |
is an everlasting kingdom. and /
thy dominion endureth thrOug hOut all genera |
tons IL is in thee that we live and move and |
have our being. While We rejoice in the |
pleasant light Of this morning and breathe ts |
revving air we cannot close our eyes TO the /
admontory voice of thy Providence remind |
ing us that in the midst of life We are IN death.
/ In auson TO Senator Barbour death As |
for man his days .ars as grass. as Hover OF
the field so he flOurisheth In the morning II
fourisheth and groweth up, III the evening 1t |
is cut down and withereth Pallid death. |
with impartial hand knocks at the portals of
the Capitol and at the door of the cottage.
The statesman the sage and the senator
hear and obey the CAL as well as the humblest
citizen. We thank thee for memories of the
men who have served their country with SIN
cere and patriotic devotion. and who now
rest from their labOrs. We halow their me-
mories ia our hearts and We will perpetuate
the story of their virtues for the instruction
and the inspiration of coming generations.
And now that thou hast permitted thy ser
wants to assemble here. charged with great
responsibilities we feel that 1t is our first
duty as well as highest privilege d unite our
hearts in prayer for thy gracious aid and
blessing. May tiny servants enter upon their
work with minds free from prejudice and pas
sion, animated only by the desire 10 know
what is true and TO do what is right MAY
kindness and harmony characterize
all their deliberations. and may heavens
blessings so crown their labOrs a. TO secure the
true and permanent interests of the people
here represented.
Almighty God. in whose hands are the des-
TIMES OF nations we beseech thee 80 TO di-
rect and control the conventions OF all the
States that the'result shall be the choice OF
one VINO shall preside over the destlnes of
this country IN thy fear and with thy favor
resting upon him Send US one we pray thee.
who IN the discharge OF all Of his high duties
will ever prefer 20 maintain "a conscience void
of Ohense TO all the honors and emoluments
of office: one who will always subordinate
policy 10 principle and whose untar1ished
honor and pure patriotism. whose supreme
regard for duty shall be the pledge of "a pros
porous administration. and who. because of
his elevation above all that IL ignOble and
selfish shall be recognized by all parties a
President whose aims and ends are only those
of country. God and truth
M Eatter N flasa c,1rplfco