Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-15

among the foot hills OF the Blue Ridge
| mountains. with some OF the BIN
plicity OF life and character, which comes
from communion with the forests ano
the fields. he went forth to the battles
OF life and country. No fortuitous aids
to advancement stood at hand, save those
qualities OF mind and heart to when
have Just alluded. Citizen, soldier,
lawyer, representative In the state Lesis-
iature. member OF the Federal Congress
and Senate. he has won his honors by q
personal merit which makes them doupiy
| dear. A recognition of his worm ana
| genius has passed from his neighpors 10
all his countrymen, and the leader OF the
countryside has become foremost hgure
in the highest council OF the Republic.
Looking back along the pathway OF his
successive promotions, recalls the hhes
| Of the poet laureate:
| "Dost thou look back on what hath peen'
AS some divinely gifted man,
Whose life in low estate began
| And on a simple village green;
Who makes by force his merit known,
And lives 10 clutch the golden Keys
To mould a mighty States decrees'
And shape the whisper Of the throne.
WHY HE IS GREAT.
whence comes the sentiment among
the people which calls him Tor tneir
Senator? ] answer because py ineh'ai
trimming, intellectual attachments, anu
patriotic impulses. he measures up 10 the
requirements of that high station. In
day when the commercial spirit threatens
to dominate our land. IL is gratefui 10
turn TO this thoughtful figure, this IDEAL
list, whose dreams and aspirations LOT
country and humanity are not controlleu
by the pulsations OF the stock market
nor measured by the stunted STANDARDS
of present success. At time when men
are oft promoted to places OF ofhclal
trust as the result OF machine methods,
or through the influence OF agencies seek
ing favors at the hands Of the govern
ment. we turn with pride to this trusted
statesman, whose methods recall the type
of men who adorned the purest days OF
the republic.
But not alone because Of his intellec-
tual attachments, his knowledge OF states
craft, and his power to impress his views
upon his associates do the people thus
honor him. Above and beyond all, IT is
because OF their faith in his political In
tegrlty and loyalty to bis convictions
do not mean TO assert that there exists
a unanimity of sentiment among MS sup
porters as to all the principles which ne
has so vigorously espoused L. myself
with many other OF his friends, have dif-
fered with him, and still differ with him,
as 10 the wisdom of one great question or
governmental policy; but as 10 tho hon
esty Of his convictions, as TO his courage
In proclaimng his views. l have no ques-
ton. We have seen him with the same
intrepid voice declare his sentiments In
the time Of their popular disfayor as in
the tide of popular applause. The In
fluence Of administrations, the power OF
patronage, has never caused him 10
abate his zeal In their support WHAT
ever the clamors, whether from the people
or from the throne, ne has courageously
stood for principles and policies which,
according to tho dictates OF his con-
science, ne believed to be for the public
veal
"These characteristics which have so
impressed tho people Of his native State,
have produced Ike effect upon his
associates in the Senate. To all the great
discussions involving questions Of taxa
ton, finance, the rights of the States,
the prerogatives OF the Federal Govern
ment. and its relations with foreign
powers he has contributed his full mea-
sure of labor and OF light. He fills with
distinction places upon the most i'm
portant committees of the body, and
both in the conference rooms and on the
floor OF the Senate his learning and his
eloquence, his worth, and his patriotism,
mark him as a man well fitted 10 stand
as a representative from this ancient
Commonwealth.
HE STANDS FOR DEMOCRACY.
"But not alone, Mr.. President, as n
citizen of noble personal traits and at
tainments, as a statesman faithful and
courageous in the discharge OF duty, do
we commission him to-day. He goes
forth as the accredited representative OF
one OF the great political parties OF this
country, and n word as to the spirit and |
mission Of that party will not be inappro- |
pirate"
Mr. Munford then set forth the vicious |
principles which have so frequently OBJ |
tanned ascendancy In the administration |
of the National Government and are now |
dominant at Washington. He showed |
how the Democratic party has ever OPP |
posed them and tho great necessity OF |
keeping up the struggle. Senator Danlers !
name was synonymous with these prin- |
clples, and his fidelity to them had be
come known throughout the length and |
breadth of the land.
HE IS A VIRGINIAN.
In conclusion, Alr. AunIOrd Saldsrr
II believe, Mr.. President, a return to |
the methods in consonance with tho fun
damental principles OF Democracy is the |
surest road, to some measure, OF lasting /
and domestic peace"
''Virginial A Commonwealth whose de-
votlon to the rights OF the people, marks
every page OF her history!
Virginia
A" "A land of settled government,
land OF just and old renown,
Where freedom broadens slowly down,
From precedent TO precedent "
"Virginia speaks to-day for the faith and
practices OF the fathers. Apostacy from
that faith and disregard OF those practices
has brought disaster to our country. To |
the great work OF restoration; TO the
cause Of liberating the people from UNI
wise and unconstitutional laws, destruc-
tive OF domestic trade and foreign COM
merce, she sends her trusty statesman
to the capital Of the republic.
"a Virginian, carrying in his heart
reverential love for the old Common
wealth, and ever Jealous Of her honor;
a partisan, profoundly imbued with the
great tenets of Democracy-he goes forth
as one anointed for high and patriotic
mission. He goes not TO destroy, but
to restore. Behind him beat the hearts
OF his fellow-Virginians, warm with min
gled feelings OF affection and pride. Upon
him rests the imprimatur and benediction
OF his mother State. Before him opens
a splendid arena, where the highest aspi-
rations and energies of his nature may
spend themselves in efforts for the anne