Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-12
DEMOCRATIC FEAST,
Banquet to Virginia Delegation
in Congress-
A MOST BRILLIANT AFFAIR.
Many Distinguished Men Of the Old Do
miDion Present.
MIR. DANIEL MAKES AN ADDRESS.
Representatives Jones and Lamb
and Others Also Spenk-Cordiai
welcome from DIR. Harper, Presi-
dent of Virginia Association.
MIR. DANIEL MAKES AN ADDRESS.
Jones and Lamp
and Others Also Spenk-Coraiai

fSDecl1l.J-lHO D0ItlutA 5AFN+i ~
tropolitan Hotel tonight 10 the Virginia
delegation in Congress by the virginia
Democratic Association of the District OF
Columbia was a most brilliant affair
Both OF the senators and all of the ten
representatives were present. There
were covers for about one hundred ana
fifty guests, all the prominent Virginia
Democrats in Washington and many
leading ex-Confederates being at the
tables. A portrait Of Bryan, over the
seat of Or. II. n. Harper. president OF
the association, who presided was
wreathed i'm flowers. The decorations
were cut~fiowers, evergreens, ana nass.
Among the speakers were Senator
Daniel; Representatives Jones, Lamb,
Rhea. and Swanson, and Hon. John
Goode. The delegation and principal
guests were seated as follows; senator
Daniel and DR.. Harper, Senator Martih
and Clarence Thomas, Representative
Jones and L. W. Bullock, Representative
Young and r. Z. l.. Yellot, Representa-
tive Lamb and ". II. Saunders, Repre-
sentative Epes and Il. \. Henry, Repre-
sentative Swanson and George DreWfS'
Representative Otey and j. - Neeuoh'
REPRESENTATIVE Hay and W. NJ Williams
Representative RiXey and j. H. EdlhoiluS'
Representative Rhea and T.. I. Cruinp'
REPRESENTATIVE Quarles and Or. X. A.
Rafes Hon. ]. TAYLOR Ellyson and Major
II. l.. Brlscoe and Hon. John 1oouS anu
Colonel l.. q. Washington.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
DR.. K. NJ Harper, the president OF the
association, made neat speech Oh wei
come in which he said:
"Honored Guests and Virginia FRIENDS
BY the kind Partially Of the virgin
ians I'm this city, most pleasant priVi-
lsge ~ o,aced in nay hands-to extend to
Won in behalf Of the members OF the VIZ
ginia Democratic Association hearty
welcome upon the occasion of your en-
trance upon your legislative duties IN the
Flfty-sixth Congress.
1T is always a pleasure for us VIZ
ginians temporarily residing OUTSIDE OF
our State to meet the representative
men of the old Commonwealth. but when
We are permitted 10 extend welcome OIL
this kind, TO a solid Democratic delega-
ton we feel that we have honored our
selves by banqueting YOU as virginia
has honored herself I'm selecting you as
her representatives In the halls or ma
ti0nal legislation.
ALTHOUGH there can be no question
about Virginia's having solid Demo-
cratic delegation in Congress, yet at inc
same time this delegation seems TO be
made mn Of at least three classes Of rep
resentatiyes-first, those who have been
here: second, those who tried TO stay
here. third. those who have just come
here.
ITO those OF you who have already
served your people and made a record or
credit 10 yourselves and honor 10 the
State YOU represent, who have so nobly
and patrioticaly upheld the honor ana
integrity of our State and the principles
Of Jeffersonan Democracy we tNtshu
our most hearty appreciation FOR what
you have done and pledge 10 you no"
our entire confidence In you as our rep
resentatiyes for the future To those OF
Won who in the last Congress presented
the proper credentials emitting you 10
the lofty position of representative from
Virginia. but through the instrumental
Ties Of a partisan House were deprived
OF This trust, we extend our best wishes
for the future, and hope that in TINS con-
press Justice will be done you, whereby
the desires and interests OF large ma
ioritv of our best citizens VIII be respect
ed To those OF you who are Tor the hIsI
time entering upon national legislative
career. we wish to say. from tho reports
which have preceded you from the PEG
ple who have no doubt honored them
selves by placing in your hands this nign
office. that when you return 10 them
thev will receive you with words or
praise and appreciation for your oinclal
course. .>-,.,e
OLD IN DEMOCRATIC HARNESS.
"This organization, which has tho plea
sure of greeting you tonight, is old In
| the harness OF Democratic work, and mas
never vet kicked out of traces made Tor
us by our party.
For twenty years this association has
upheld the principles OF Democracy ana
whether the party Is in or out OF power
,ve have never yet failed 70 rally 70 the
| t,umuet's call. and We make claim Tor
| the future as our record OF the past VIII
guarantees. s, 49,, ~, .
II do not propose to detain you py
| prolonged history or our orsanilatioIi
! but / hope 1 will not be consiuervu .ies
nassing upon your patience IL l allude 10
-, uriust criticism some people or the
mast have been unkind enough TO ming
( at ne IL Is that we are set or olnce-
! saal.ers and office-holders. Having, now
( ever the highest respect for that band OF
na,rio,ic workers. and not wishing TO say
ANYTHING derogatory toward any or them
| I feel that it would not be out OF place al
This time to plead not guilty.
"During our twenty years OF poiltlca
work we have never had president ol
| The association who has ever held po
utical office, or, to my knowledge ever
anplied for one, and during both OF MT
/ Cleyeiand's administrations nine-tenths o.
our officers were businessmen OF tni'
| oi,v and IL remains So to-day.
.It will be seen, therefore, that We arr
oroanized for the principles represented
in our party. and not 10 build up an as
sociation Of oftice-seekers and office
holders. .
FIGHT OF 1900.
.sVe are now organized for the iight o
100 and we stand to-day. as we stood IL
the campaign OF 1895. ready to battle 10
the principles of equal and exact justice
10 all and special privileges to none
IF our platform was right then' ~ !
right now. We rallied TO II then, and !
received support greater than any plat
form In any other campaign ever re
! ceiyed.
''It WAS certainly Democratic, ana no
| thing. so far as can perceive, ha
taken place 10 change II before the people
IL circumstances have brought about ne'