Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-05-17
The May Conrerence.

ne May meeting was all It's
friends hoped it would be, says the
Richmond Dispatch. Continuing,
that paper saws; at was creditable in
numbers and composition, and It's
work was done decently and in order.
We do not know when before we have
seen a more respectable and LOYAL
body of Democrats. And their pro-
ceedings were marked by 8 dignity,
sincerity, and earnestness which make
an eloquent eulogium upon the char
scter and intelligence of those par
ticipsting. There were MANY good
speeches and some excellent ones. We
shall offend nobody by saying that
that of the Hon. John Goode. of Bed
ford, was generally pronounced the
best"
Besides Mr.. Goode, speeches were
made by j. c. Parker, the permanent
chairman ". a. Anderson, State
Senator Barksdale, r. Walton Moore,
Epps Hunton, Jr., Congressman VIM.
A. Jones, aud Attorney General Mon
tsgue. The latter took occasion to
pay his respects to the correspondent
Of the Washington Post for prououn-
cling the advocates of the May con-
ference as "back numbers" persons
tired of being out of Office and anx-
ious to get In, and chsracterizing the
movement as an effort to disrupt the
party. He said:
I'VE think We have Jurisdiction
within the party TO be here on this
day. We think there has never been
a period IN he history of the Demo
cratic party, that when a motion ia
made to let the people De heard. that
that means the disruption of the or
ganization. (Applause.) We cannot
understand by what law of society
this convention can be regarded as a
gathering of back numbers: but. gen
tlemen, pardon me, il Is time We are
considering some people who do not
take such IA conspicuous part in the
politics Of the State. Applause
Backnu bers, Young men. like
some Of you and myself. when We
looked abroad IN this Commonwealth.
TO learn the lessons of Democracy.
where did we learn them from? When
this old mother Commonwealth was
stricken as no other State in this
Union ever has been, or ever will be
stricken, with eyes blinded with tears.
and her feet resting in the ashes of
dismembered homes, where did we
look for leaders of Democracy? Didn't
we find them in John Randolph
Tucker (applause); didn't we find
them in that old Roman who has
done more. perhaps, and received less
than any Democrat in Virginia
John Goode: (Applause-)
Mr.. Montague disclaimed that he
was an aspirant for the Senate.
but said he was in favor of the cleo
ton Of senators by the people.
Congressman Jones was enthusiasts
tically received. He said in part:
1.-The Democrats who have assem-.
bled here today have not come for
the purpose of promoting selfish am
bition, but they have assembled for
the purpose of promulgating a great
principle that is dear TO the hearts of
the people of this Commonwealth.
and every Commonwealth in this
great republic of ours. We not ONLY
believe In these principles, but, as
Democrats, we believe and we know
that the principle is Democratic from
its very inception. Everything that
has come down to us through the ages
from that great man beneath whose
picture we stand this evening (Jeffer-
SOM, the greatest of all Democrats.
teaches>us that, as Democrats, this is
a Democratic principle (applause).
and the greatest Democrat living to-
day, William Jennings Bryan loud
applanse), not only advocates this
principle In the Congress of the Unit
ed States, but have from him let
ter In which he says that he approves
and endorses this movement in Vir-
glnis. loud applause) And James
X. Jones, the chairman of the me-
tional Democratic party, has come
out in a public letter and declared
that he favors this REFORM" (Ap-
plause.)
The convention went as far as it
could go, in its resolutions. 1t met
to assert priciple, and the principle
will win, because the people know
their power, and intend to enforce it.
The man who acts in the interest of
the people need not fear to 60 before
them with an account of his steward