Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-06

having suspended business upon learning
that Major Daniel was TO speak. In an
| ticipation of the address, there were a
number Of ladies in the hall, and the gal
leries We're crowded.
SENATOR DANIELS SPEECH.
Senator Daniel was introduced by
Speaker Ryan, and was received with
great applause as he came forward, the
hand-clapping lasting for some time,
while he stood ready TO address the audi
ence. When quiet was restored, Senator
Daniel said:
"Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the
General Assembly of Virginia, Three
times it has been the pleasure Of this
honorable body TO choose me as one Of
the senators of Virginia in the Congress
Of the United States, twice unanimously.
No kind office and no gentle courtesy has
been lacking. The absence of opposition
has increased the honor and sweetened
the satisfaction of the event. The mag
nitude of my obligation TO you bereaves
me of the power to express adequately
my gratitude, and leaves my ability to
discharge the debt at hopeless discount
and disparagement. Your unanimous pre-
BILE. when we remember how rich this
Commonwealth is in able and patriotic
sons, who might fifty aspire to this great
honor, and who would worthily fulfil its
duties.
TRIBUTE TO A NOBLE PEOPLE.
''I am at loss to account for It by
anything that 1 can discern in myself. 1
can only attribute 1t TO the boundless
of 10 IN
your merit. gentlemen of the General AS
sembly, far more than any that the most
partial friendship can accord TO me, that
/ am indebted for this great honor. For
the people know the characters and the
opinions Of their immediate representl-
tives, and scrutinize them far more close
ly than they do those who serve them
upon more distant theatres of action. IL
is their confidence i'm you that furnished
the power that elected me TO this Office,
And am proud TO trace my title through
your personal and political worth back TO
the people, the fountain Of all honor and
all power in a free State-back TO the peo-
PIE OF whom we are all alike the crea-
lures and the servants. 1t was as n
Democrat that / was recommended to the
people by the State Democratic Conven-
tion; II was as a Democrat that / was
nominated by the Democratic caucus Of
the General Assembly: it was as a Demo-
crat that l was elected. Ii Is as Demo-
crat that l shall serve. But instead OF
diminishing IL all the more increases my
appreciation for the kindness OF those
who. belonging to the Republican or
Populist parties. did me the honor to
vote for me or not vote at all. Thus they
showed their good will towards their pO-
litical opponents and myself by rot
marring an occasion which they could
not control.
SERVANT OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE.
"'rhis token of goodwill" continued
the Senator, was not needed TO remind
him that he who occupied great office
should be the servant OF the whole peo-
Pile. but ii was a most impressive lesson.
Where party lines were drawn, he would
observe strict party fealty. But In that
broader domain beyond" continued Major
Daniel 'it shall ever be my highest as
piration TO so bear myself that every
one OF those whom l In part represent
may feel that ! am heartily ready to
serve them. This token of goodwill
came" Major Daniel said, Eat season
of the year when. from myriad affairs
all over the land were ascending prayers
for peace and goodwill toward men."