Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-30
ENTHUSIASTIC ViRGiNiANS
Demonstration in Honor Of Senator Elect
Martin.
Parade, Fireworks, Cheers, Speeches
1t Charlottesville - Albermarle
County Turns Out In Force.
pecial Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
CHARLOTTESVILLE. Va. Dec 30.-Ai-
bemarle county took possession OF Char
lottesvflle yesterday. and this quaint old
university town. full OF the devotion and
enthusiasm OF the mother heart, brought
out her best silver and linen to lay a
bounteous board In honor OF the occasion.
She was even vivacious. and under the In
fiuence of her pardonable pride she fairly
glowed with the intensity OF the welcome
which she bestowed upon all who entered
her hospitable home.
A native Of Albemarle, an aluminus Of the
University of Virginia, was to be the guest
of honor! Thomas Staples Martin OF Scots
ville and United States Senator-elect was to
be greeted publicly by his friends and
neighbors. and Charlottesville had freely
rendered her ample resources in honor OF
the occasion.
Coming of the Guests.
With the breaking OF a perfect day above
the knobs of the Southwest mountains be-
gan the coming OF the guests. From all
along the slope of the Blue Ridge, from
Lynchburg to Richmond, from Winchester
to Fredericksburg. came representative
friends while over every turnpike and by
way in old Albemarle came the neighbors
l.
Meanwhile the city was alive with troopers
riding here and there. with infan,rymen
singiy and In squads going about, and then,
about noon, the climax came with the ar
rival of the Scottsviiie contingent-about
HU citizens. well mounted and full of fer
vent loyalty to their townsman, IN whose
honor they had ridden twenty miles across
the country. And SO, until half-past Z
o'clock. fully 1O.OOO people were on and ad-
tacent to Main street between the uniyer-
sity and the Midway awaiting the beginning
Of the parade.
Meanwhile, under the direction Of Cant
H. L. Nelson as chief marshal, the parade
was formed and the line Of march was be-
gun in the following order: The Stonewall
Brigade Band; company ID. third regiment.
Virginia volunteers, Monticello Guard: the
Charlottesville fire department; the Central
City Club; the fireworks battalion; the
Scottsviile contingent mounted; troop X,
Albemarle Light Horse; carriages for the
guests OF the city; students Of the Universe
ty of Virginia.
Not since the celebration over the election
Of President Cleveland has Charlottesville
seen any public demonstration at all COM
parable to the exhibit made last evening
With hundreds of torches Of variegated COL
ors afiame, and with the continuous dis
charge OF Roman candles and rockets the
burning Of colored lights. the music OF the
band and the cheering of the people. the
picture was inspiring.
At the Armory.
Guards had been posted at the door of the
armory. but they were inadequate for the
occasion, so that as soon as Mr.. Martin
and his escort had entered. the crowd fol-
lowed. Within five minutes the place was
filled.
The drill hall was decorated with national
colors. and as the crowd settled itself the
Stonewan Band played popular airs. With
the ending of this selection the students
made their presence known by giving a
volley of their student cry with ear-split-
ting modulations). "Wah! Hoo! wah, Wah-
Hoo-WNh! u. n. l. V! virgin-i-ayr Then,
too, there was another yell, something about
'Hoo-rah-rayr' and ~. V. A" which end
ed with MIR. Martins name, long drawn out
to fill the proper measure, and so potent in
its volume as to prevent for several min
utes the beginning of the formalities.
Among the gentlemen upon the stage with
Mr.. Martin were Taylor Ellison, chairman
of the state democratic committee State
Senator Geo. W. Morris. Col c. S. Venable.
State Senator Flood of Appomattox Mica jah
Woods of Charlottesville. Jas. Moore and J.
c: Featherstone Of Orange. Maj. p. ]. Otey
of Lynchburg.J. B. Stephenson Of Harrison
burg, A. c. Gordon of Stanton, Judge John
NJ. White of Charlottesville and about 100
other gentlemen.
der was restored and DIR. W. c. N. Ran
dolph, chairman (also a grandson of Thos
Jeffe-son), opened the meeting with a happy
reference to the many distinguished citizens
large and who were citizens of the good old
county OF A1bemarle. Then, picturing the
modesty and merits of the fellow citizen
they had assembled to honor, he read varI-
Gus letters Of regret from citizens who had
been unable to attend the jollification. The
most important one was from Senator Dam
iel, who was detained at his home by the
severe illness Of his wife Senator Daniel
expressed himself as follows:
LYNCHBURG. Va, December %. ls93
Geo. w. Morris, esq.,,
My Dear Sir-It is a great disappointment
that l cannot accept the kind Invitation
with which you and the committee have
reception rendered the Hon Thos Mar
tin. the Senator-elect, by his neighbors and
friends. But circumstances beyond my con-
troll place 1t beyond my power to attend
Having known Mr.. Martin for years. / can
well appreciate the natural rejoicings of his
friends and neighbors upon his promotion to
the high office which will open a field of
usefulness to his state for his talents and
where his force of character will be felt
Those who know him best are those who
entertain for him the strongest feelings of
attachment and confidence: and that his
career Will fully meet their expectations. no
one feels more assured than 1. who have
enjoyed his friendship and am familiar with
his virtues Of head and heart
The county Of Albemarle, which has con-
tributed eminent men to the services Of the
state and nation, may well be proud of the
son who will worthily wear the honors that
have been conferred upon him. and prove
by his wisdom, the wisdom OF those who
have been so devoted and earnest in their
friendship and support.
! beg that you will tender my sincere &C.
Acknowledgements and regret to the commit
tee and present my compliments, greetings
and best wishes to your worthy and dis
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