Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-04

vcntion itself Is likely TO do were the
general conferences OF the free-sllver and
the gold men.
The former held n grand rally at
Columbian Hall. where the convention
IS to sit, and. after hearing stirring
speeches from Daniel and others, appoint
ed steering committee OF three from
each district 10 map out the work OF
the convention. The latter met I'm odd
Fellows Hall. and likewise appointed a
committee TO prepare n plan OF aC>ion
ana draft resolutions. which will be got
ten before the convention In some way
or other.
The silver Meeting.
There was great enthusiasm in the free
silver meeting. Daniel was the lion
OF the hour. and was given such an
ovation as he possibly never received
before TN a Virginia gathering The
meeting was in response to Otey's call.
There were over five hundred delegates
present and many outsiders. the rules
or admission not being at all strict The
conference was called 10 order by Major
Otey. who stated that - had called the
silver delegates together for the purpose
or conference. II was not, he said. a
schism in the Democratic party. but
simply gathering OF "A majority Of the
delegates 10 the convention who held
the same views. Without further pre-
liminary. he suggested that IL you'd
be a good idea If each OF the district dele
cations would select one or two mem-
bers who should be the representatives
Of the delegations in all matters re-
quiring consideration. He explained that.
If il We're feasible. II would be better
for all the delegates 10 participate IN the
conferences. but that IL would be easier
for a smaller committee to assemble to-
morrow while the convention was in
session. I'm case any decision was neces-
sary upon important questions.
After these remarks Major Otey. whose
speech was Of a cOncliatory nature sug-
gested that Colonel William y. Petit,
OF Fluvanna, be made chairman q the
meeting, and this was agreed to without
dissent.
COLONEL PETTITs REMARKS
In taking the chair Colonel Petit thank
cd the delegates very cordially and sin
ccrciy for the honor which they had con-
ferred upon him. lie then began char
actcristic silver speech in which he con-
graduated the Democrats upon having Sc
cured victory I'm spite of the opposition
Of the metropolitan press. and Of the COM
bincd forces Of Wall street and Lombard
street. In the course Of his speech Colo
mel Petit drew from his pocket a copy
Of a resolution very culOgistic Of Senator
Daniel. which, he said he proposed TO
present I'm the convention tomorrow. The
resolution began with high tribute 10
Senator Daniel and endorsed him for the
presidency, at which there was prolonged
cheering. or for the yicc-presidency. at
which several Of the delegates shouted
that this recommendation ought 90 be
omitted. Colonel Petit replied that both
offices had been named IN the resolution
in order 10 leave a broad discretion with
the national convention.
At the conclusion Of the reading Of the
resolution there was another outburst Of
applause. and when a few minutes later
Colonel Petit concluded. there was an
universal demand FOR Senator Daniel, in
response 20 which he ascended the plat
fo,m.
DANIELS SPEECH.
Senator Daniel spoke a half hour, and
his address. though evidently eXtempora-
neous. was most effectively delivered. il
was also interesting. and he took occasion
at the very outset 10 declare that he had
no aspirations for either the first or the
second place upon the national ticket. lie
accepted the tribute which the delegates
had accorded him with such enthusiasm
as an evidence that his services for his
State had not been entirely in vain. II
would rather be a senator from the State
of virginia" he said, with the knowledge
that was dear to the hearts Of the right
thinking people. than to have even the
honor of the presidency placed upon me.
THE GREATER BATTLE.
While complimonting the Virginia Dem
ocrats on the successful outcome Of the
great battle which had been fought al the
primaries. Senator Daniel took occasion
10 utter a warning that the greater battle
was yet TO come. He described with
graphic force the gold and silver belt,
which began on the ocean-washed shores
of Accomac. stretched along through Nir-
ginia to Kentucky. then proceeded west
ward through Tennessee and Mississippi
10 Missouri, and thence across the con-
tineut to the Golden Gate of the shores OF
California. This. ne said. was the line
OF the battle i'm the struggle for the resto-
ration of the peoples money, which would
not be won until after "A long and hard
struggle in which all the corporate and
moneycd interests would be arrayed
against the people. He read from the
address Of the president OF the American
travellers Protective Association-the or
eanlzation of commercial drummers-in
which the business depression was de-
Jlorcd. and some change that would bring
relief was prayed for. This relief. Sena-
tor Daniel asserted, would come with the
free coinage Of silver. and he found some
consolation for the silver Democrats in
the fact that every bit OF legislation
which had contributed 10 the hard times
had been passed by the advocates of
gold monopoly and over the corpses of
measures proposed by silver men.
HN..HN nh ~
Sound money" which was. he said. the
cloak under which the gold men hid
their Interior purposes.
Sound money" he exclaimed. at is
an sound. and no money; applause and
laughter: it is all sound TO YOUR ears
and all money in their pockets" pro
longed laughter)
Senator Daniel concluded with an earn
est appeal to the silver Democrats
TO stand firm I'm their cause; then, he
said, success was assured.
FOR THE UNIT RULE.
Loud calls for Congressman Swanson
brought that gentleman 10 the stand.
lie paid an eloquent tribute TO Senator
Daniel. and in the course of his remarks
also took occasion TO compliment In ihe
highest terms the work which Congress
man Otey had done for the silver cause.
The main drift Of his speech, however. was
an appeal for the adoption of the uni;
rule and against any straddling platform
at Chicago 1--WE have won a great VIC
tory" he said, "and are entitled 10 the
fruits OF that victory. The only way in
which we can enjoy these fruits is TO
send TO Chicago firm. resolute, and faith
ful men. who viii be stoadfast TO our
cause The silver men at Chicago will
be beset by many temptations. they
viii be appealed TO by the willy leaders
from New York. by an astute leader from
Maryland, and by others equally adrot,
who win talk harmony and compromise
MI