Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-11

their brother Democrats In this State who
let as they did on this subject. inviting
them TO meet here to-day In conference,
and here formulate such plans 20 efectu-
ate such an organization as would result
ultimately In bringing about this much
desired change. The splendid assemDlage
or Virginia Democrats that / see before
me to-day speaks of the manner In which
this invitation has been received anc re-
sponded TO In far more e.oquent tones
than any words I can command. When
we issued this invitation We thought ana
believed that the Democrats OF the state
OF Virginia were In favor OF TINS move
ment ] may state to-day that we abso-
lutely know II beyond the peradventure
Of doubt. Applause.) Cry OF mo. th'y
are nOt."D There are some Democrats III
the State OF Nirginia-and / do not say
they are not Democrats-who profess TO
believe In the election OF United States
senator's by popular vote. but who refuse
TO attend this meeting. and denounce
those who called and attend II az having
something more than unselfsh ends IN
view: that we are here TO further the
ambition of some men, and oppose the
ambition OF some others. II il not Tor me
to say that the gentlemen VINO take thls
position are not sincere IN their asSef-
lions Admitting for the sake OF argu-
ment. that their charge Is true. the an
swer comes inevitably that we have as
much right 10 further the ambitions or
one man I'm advocating TINS meeting 40
they have the right 10 lurinei lHs anu
ton Of another man in opposing IL. zap
piause)
NOT IN ANY MANS INTEREST.
Rut say here. without fear Of success
full contradiction, that the charge tHts
bring against US is not true tAppiausyy'
We are not here 10 advocate the eaIiui
dacy of any man Tor Chlted Statrs 80
tor. nor are We here 10 oppose the cam
didacy Of any candidate. except IN SO ldI
| as some candidate may force US 70 oppose
him by virtue Of mis- opposition 70 the
principles of Democracy. tApplauStJ
| The object OF this meeting may pe sum
| med up as follows: We are here 10 ad"pt
| such plans and organize SUCH movement
| as shall ultimately result in the securing
\ Of constitutional amendment 10 the
| United States Constitution, providing LOT
| the election OF United States senators
! BIZ the people, and the securing, upon
| the adoption Of that amendment, the
/ adoption OF some popular method wheIe-
! BY the senators elected hereafter 10 inc
/ United States Senate from THIS state
/ shall be committed unequivocaily TO the
J principle OF the election Of senators Dy
| the people Applause) That IS the
| object OF this convention, and nothlng
! else is the object OF IT, We are mere
| for higher motives than any personal III, m
terest or any individual ambition. We
| are here In the interest Of the people VINO
are making a fight to be invested with the
ris.t, which even under the condlllVhS
rn1er which our Federal Constitution
was adopted, was in the eyes and IN the
| minds OF some of the wisest statesmen
| in this land and particularly IN VIZ
I ginia, at that time. We are mere 10
| make "A fight against the insidiOus poliu-
| cal influences which have invaded both
| our State and national legislation zap
| plause). and We do earnestly believe that
| unless they are tracked and thrOttleq IN
time will shortly throttle US and the
| liberties Of the people tappiause) ana
| make OF us a race or princes and serls.
| Gentlemen, with those high motives be-
! fore us. let US be careful what we Go:
| The eyes Of Virginia, aye, the eyes OF
| the nation, are upon US to-day. Let Us
, not act merely for the moment, but let
US look 10 that broader future, with the
utmost confidence that IL Will bring about
| the triumphant success Of the principles
We advocate to-day. CApplause)
PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
/ could 90 on talking-my heart and my
| head are both full Of this subject. and
| have been for a long time-but the gem
! tlemen who honored me by selecting me
| 10 call this meeting together did 50 be-
/ cause they wanted at this time a short
| speech and because IL was a Well-knoWn
| fact that l very rarely make speeches.,
| and never long ones: therefore, l must
| not betray their confidence But. my
J friends | ask you 10 be cereful to-day.
| our fellow Democrats who oppose THIS
movement are watching Us with critical
eyes They have even charged as with
| being boilers and faction builders and
party wreckers. / challenge the right Of
| any man in the State OF Virginia who
! opposes this movement TO say that ne IS
| a better Democrat than / am. (ApplauseJ
"a voice: Il am a better Democrat than
| YOU. - Let US be as harmless as doves,
| as wise as serpents. and as brave and
| fearless as only true men can he; ana the
work OF this convention Will receive the
approval of the Democratic people OF TINS
State.
| The signers OF this call, who, in sense,
occupy a position in reference to this
conference that the State Democratic
| Committee does 10 the State Convention.
| think IT their duty 10 recommend 10 this
| conference a temporary organization. In
the exercise Of that privilege now nomi-
nate a. the temporary ofhcers OF TINS
conference: For Chairman. the Hon Jonn
Goode OF Bedford county; for secretary
Mr.. John :. Barbour. OF Culpeper county
| and for Sergeant-at-Arms. +. \. BOwery,
- ~ city az Richmond. fApplauSe.)