Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-08-14

ton was over. A committee was quick
ly appointed to wait on Mr.. Rixey and
escort him to the hall and when he en-
tered the audience went off in spasm
of enthusiasm. Mr.. Rixey was con-
Quoted to the stage and after the ap-
plause had ceased he made an appro-
pirate address in which he thanked all
concerned for the honor which had
been conferred upon him and urged all
to stand firm for the principles of the
democratic party as enunciated at Chi
cago ard the standard bearers-Bryan
and Sewall.
Mr.. Rixey was followed by Mr.. Mere
dith. This gentleman said, among other
things, that his soul went out to those
who had stood by him in the contest,
while he was present as brave man
to show his contempt for the cowardly
poltroons who had labored to depose
him from his seat in Congress. He was
far from being dead, however, and was
still lively spectre. He, too. urged
all present to labor for the success OF
the party next November.
Judge McCabe was the next speaker.
He had taken his defeat as all good
democrats are supposed to do, and in
the present campaign would do all be
could toward electing Bryan and Sewall
and Mr.. Rixey.
Mr.. F. E. Anderson followed. He
was warmly applauded, as had been
the preceding speakers, and appeared
in as good spirits in defeat as he did in
his anticipations during the past two
months. He, too, like true demo-
Graf, submitted gracefully to the deci-
sion of the representatives Of the party,
and would do all in his power to further
Mr.. Rixey's cause. In his reference to
the Presidential contest he saw in
Bryan and Sewall the prophets who
would enter the valley of dry bones,
clothe them with flesh and spirit and
bring about glorious victory on the
Sd of next November.
Judge Ashton then spoke. His re-
marks were in the same strain, showing
no pique over defeat, and his speech
was greatly enjoyed.
Mr.. Willard subsequently, came for
ward and spoke in similar strain. He
bowed gracefully to the fiat of the con-
yention and would labor assiduously
for the election of Mr.. RiXey and for
the success of the democratic party.
Calls were made for Mr.. R. w.
Moore, but that gentleman did not re-
spond.
1t was after eleven o'clock when the
convention adjourned sine die.
John F. Rixey was born in Culpeper
county, August /, 1854 His father, P.
M. Rixey, though blind for many years,
was an ardent farmer, from whom his
son inherited fondness for agricultural
pursuits. He was possessed Of comfor-
table means, and literally educated his
four sons and one daughter.
John F. Rixey received his education
at Bethel Academy and at the Univer
sity of Virginia. From this latter in
stitution he graduated, receiving his
B. L. in July, 1875, and began the prac-
tise of the law in the following Septem-
Der. He now enjoys one of the largest
practices in the Piedmont section. He
married, in 1881, the eldest daughter of
the late Hon. James Barbour, and niece
Of the late Senator Barbour. Mr.. Rixey
is now living upon handsome estate,
near Brandy, and farms his estate with
other farms, having in his possession
and under his personal supervision
about three thousand acres of land. 10
1879 Mr.. Rixey was elected Common
wealth's Attorney of Culpeper, which
Office be filed with conspicuous ability
for twelve years. His extensive prac
tice induced him to decline reelection
to that Office, since which time he has
held no public office, nor has he sought
one. Contrary to his own wishes, but
urged by his friends. he was candi
date for the State Senate in 1854, sub
iect to the nominating convention, but
withdrew, in order to avoid split in
the party