Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-04


vindicated from the SANDER and infamy
50 recently heaped upon their heads. My
election means all this, and my nominal
tion Is but the preface 10 the good story
70 be told IN November. Not 200 votes,
but 5000. l hope may be the majority
then; and. thank God. the credentials
you arm me with will be presented to a
Democratic House.
The people OF the United States are I'M
willing TO risk their destiny further with
one man. and that man an uncompro-
missing enemy 10 the great masses, and
all that aDpertains 10 their prosperity
and happiness. Reed or RUM * our
present government. and the blackest Re-
publican crow Is uauseated and dsguest-
cd with Reedism.
WILL BE DEMOCRATIC.
Not only will the next House be over
Whelmingly Democratic, but I'm 1900 this
will be Democratic government, with
the chief defender of liberty, that great
Humanitarian and statesman, William j.
Bryan. our President. In name and IN
TACT. y grander patriot never breathed;
his voice Is the trumpet OF justice. He
has raised the battle-cry that echoes
round tho civilized world Fearless as "A
lion, he stands a bulwark OF the people
against the encrOachment of insolent
pOwer-the srandest figure Of tho nine
teenth century. III God spares him until
then he will be our next President. The
platform upon which he was nominated
Is the platform upon WHICH | stand to-
day; IL is indcstructlb.t: its principles
are those immortal teachings OF our
fathers clothed i'm raiment TO meet mo-
deiu requirements, yet are undisguised
The true doctrine OF Democracy shall not
decay with time. nor droOp with age
In centuries 10 come that platform will
uphold the liberty-loving people of Amer
lea and maintain a government upon
truth itself.
For the gentlemen OF nv partv who
Dnn0Sg1 /
none but the kndest feelings. and | in
woke. and believe i have right 10 ex-
pect. their heartiest cooperation i'm the
campaign ahead OF US. For my friends
personal and political, l have no new
VOWS Of allegiance to take. Ny loyalty
and devotion 10 them. in all conditions
and under all circumstances, is my chief
pleasure, my life. ] promise that | will
earnestly labor 70 Justify your confidence
by a faithful. fearless discharge OF my
public duties.
BY n union of counsel, concentration
Of energy a combination of purpose, we
shall win as we have won; and. winning,
we shall enjoy the ripest fruits Of the
lctory. | thank you.
HON JOHN +. RHEA.
After Mr.. Epes had concluded Hon. John
| +. Rhea, OF Kentucky, was introduced
| He considered it. he said, an honor for
| any man 10 stand upon the historic soil
of Virginia, and in the historic city of
| Petersburg and address an audience Of
| Virginia Democrats. He was a grandson
OF Virginia. and was educated In her col
0 leges. He had long known Sydney Epes,
and knew him as manly man. true TO
! his principles and true TO his State and
J his people. He dhe speaker aided him
/ in his contest; how well, the record must
show. He saw the counties Of Lunenburg
and Nottoway disfranchised and 500 votes
counted that were not cast He saw a
majority of eco swept away. and ThOrp
sworn into Epes's seat. He saw the
/ same course pursued in the Second Dis
/ trict. where the gallant Young was made
/ 10 give place to Wise. Mr. Rhea elo-
J quently discussed national measures and
| pronounced Mr. Dingley a typical Shy
lock. and his war-revenue bill the most
J iniquitOus measure ever imposed upon the
|, people forcing, as IL did. upon the South
| the burden Of the taxation 10 be borne.
! The proposed bond issue was he said. still
more Infamous. The war was discussed
at length, and Mckinley and Cleveland
I came i'm for comment. The Republican
| party came In for large share. OF criti-
! cism Mr. Phea believed that every dol
lar Of the proposed bond issue was already
sold He declared that i'm this war IL was
| the duty Of the country TO uphold the
government. and that the people Of the
South would. do so. He closed with an
| eloquent appeal for Mr.. Epes's election.
Hon. James Hay. OF Virginia. closed the
! speaking with strong and eloquent
| speech in behalf OF Mr.. Epes.
SKETCH OF MR.. EPES.
Hon. sydney =. Epes, OF Blackstone, was
! born I'm Nottoway county August 90 1850.
end comes Of an honored family. When
u years OF age he removed 10 Kentucky
! with his parents. where he received an
| academic education. In 1854 he returned
20 Virginia and engaged In journalism
| editing and publishing Democratic paper
for a number OF years He was for
some years chairman OF the Democratic
I County Committee OF Nottoway, and was
| largely instrumental III wrestling that
county from Republican control He also
served as member OF the Democratic state
| central Committee. and as chairman OF
the Fourth Congressional District Com
mlttee. In 1891 he was elected member
of the General Assembly to represent
the counties OF Nottoway and Amelia
- A.. 1aoS WAS aupOtnted by thS