The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-01


/ lead us to affirm. both I'm tho Federal
government, both In the Cabinet. In the
council chamber and the nails OF repre-
sentation. exhibit a power and capacity
FOR conducting a great war; on appoint
| ing equipping. and collecting great armies
never surpassed anywhere.
Let us all thank God. however Una,
the struggle is over: that tho srea.
| tempest has subsidized: that the pllioNs vi
the great commotion have rocked theni-
selves 20 sleep: that the morning Oh peace
has broken forth gloriously on land ana
sea ana tnaI the ola snip OF statc S'a'"'
serene and firm on calm and peacefui
waters. We trust and believe the re-
deeming spirit has gone forth from the
bloody chasm 10 sanctify and to save
the Union and the Constitution, and that
the Sons or the American REVOLUTION
South, and the Sons Of the American
Revolution. North, will ever be found In
maintaining the cause OF constitutional
government on this continent
As for mysef. said the speaker, do not
believe there Is an intelligent Nirginian
who would not honestly and cheerfully
join Ia every patriotic endeayor and In
every patriotic assertion for the unity
and the permauence OF the government
and the peace and prosperity OF all the
people.
Judge Staples was continually inter
rupted with applause. and when he con-
cluded was vigorously cheered.
YICEPREsfDENT STEVENSON.
MIR. Henry next arose and said II was
his pleasure 10 Introduce one who had
been accorded by the vote Of this country
the second place in the Federal Govern
ment and one whom IT was probable
would be asked In the near future 10 take
even a higher place.
lie then pronounced the name Of Adlai
+. Stevenson, vice-president Of the United
/ States.
round OF hearty and earnest APP
plauso greeted Mr.. Stevenson as
he arose. He osp0nded 10 the following
toast: THE Federal Constitution-the Con-
summation Of the Revolution lie said:
VICE-PREsIDENr STEVENSON.
1 accepted with pleasure the invitation
so cordially extended me TO be present
upon this most interesting occasion No
place more fitting for this patriotic gath
ering could have been selected than the
capital city OF the Old Dominion.
Stretching from your western boundary
TO the Mississippi Is country as mag
nihcent as any that the Almighty In Ills
benenccnce has ever vOuchsafed TO the
children Of men. While the ReYOlu-
tionaTy War was yet in progress Nir-
g!nian-George Rogers Clarke-with
handful OF brave followers, after endur-
Ing hardships untold, and with display
OF generalship declared by John Ran
dOlph scarcely surpassed by that or han
nibai in Italy. captued the garrtsons al
Nincennes and Kaskaskia, and supplanted
the symbol OF British authority with that
cf he Inc colonies
BY an act Of maenanimity now historic.
the empire OF which / have spoken was
coded by this grand Commonwealth TO the
General Government. out OF that vast
area sovereign states have been carved
and added 20 our Federal Union. From
one Of these States. lying farthest TO the
northward. I'm the beautiful Valley or the
Mississippi. and in the very heart OF the
continent. the third in population. the
lovelest Of the daughters OF the Ola
Dominion, I come tonight at your Did
ding.
The subject assigned me is "Ihe Fed
eral Constitution" And. Mr.. President,
I'm the few moments | shall speak what
snail 1 say Of the wonderful compact that
for more than Il century has bound To-
gether. I'm bond indissoluble. the Amer-
can States and the American people!
no DATE OF BIRTH.
II ts the proud boast Of the Briton that
the Constitution or England has no
single date from which its duration can
be reckoned and that the origin OF Eng
Heh iaw is as undiscoYeTable as mat Oh
tbe Nile" The Government or the
United States. buttressed upon written
constitution, stretches back a little more
than a single cep3ry 10 the mastertui
hour I'm history Wnen Washington look
the oath Of office as It's first President.
II was Lord Brougham who said. III
f. not at all refinement that ledetdI
union should he formed. ms j. '"c
natural result Of mems JOINT operations
I'm a very rude state OF society. But 'he
regulation Of such union upon p'e
established principles the formulation o.
y fem ~ government and legislation
~ Which the different subjects snail ue'
1T tndivfduals. but states; the appllca-
tfon OF legislative principles 10 su'n d"
IL. 80 states. and the deyising OF means
FOR keeping its integrity as leue,"0
v-bile the rights and powers OF tile I''Ni-
,iduai States are maintained cH'H'' -
,ba very greatest refinement III socIal
Lii n which any state OF clrcuhl-
stances has ever given rise anu " "''0''
anv age has ever given brlh'
one hundred and seven years nav 20 20
Oh since the Constitution " ~.
60 bcarne the Fundamental law, 'he
common bond OF union Oh uls -
o(ionies and although during this perloI
,,,irt,.-t,,o now states have been admitted
80. me Federal Union our population
,.',.,o,s.1 from a little over tnIee Hlli-
tons 10 seventy millions Oh SOUS ou'
Io,,afn extended from the eastern 90
hoard 10 the Pacific. III asrcui'ul. eii4 ~
,',a arts I'm science. in all that contributes
.i' - ,oaterial wealth and greatness Oh
~ -. len our progress has been Win
-" w. ,,ar,leI vet. with but few amend
~, . o-,r organic law to-day as fuliy
- The reouiremcnts OF the people. a.
- ,,h.n il came from the hands OF Us
trainers a...a ,bor,ctar.
A.. a,.,ributiou of powers. and especldHy
,,,bot evnericnce has demonstrate 70 De
a. nerfect adaptation 10 the wants oi
80 ncor5a we are struck With admiration
-. 10 wisdom OF It's founders. Il !. 10
- v-ondered that the greatest Oh LHs lis'
etatoernen should have declared inc
American Constitution IS the most Won
T,rf,,l work ever struck on al a sven
time from the brain and purpose Oh Nlau'
H. a. n be wondered that cotelhp'i"sy .
scarcely less nlustrOus. should nave ue
$50 n. builders mobiles by the right
y, a., earlier inheritance. and priests Dy
fine imposition OF a mighuer mana
STRONGER GOVERNMENT.
During the early days Of our Revolution
o,,. etr,,os,e tho common bond OF union
va the old Continental Congress. ms
| vas succeeded by the Confederation. TN
! All lis defects. under the COnfedei alton IN
I.,,,5.,,,.. No. achieved, and treaty or