The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-12-14

mentioned. 81 am plain straight
forward Democrat be declared
"for, hate to say how many years,
probably about forty years. 1t IS
going to be the same hereafter,
added the Senator with emphasis.
"Where the Democratic party places
itself there will be found. | will
make the single personal observa-
ton. | believe that desire less
credit than any Of my colleagues Tor
being Democrat. For | was born
a Democrat. Either in my own per-
son or by the proxy Of my an
cestors. | have voted the Democratic
ticket since 1900. Never has one OF
them scratched q ticket. have
never thought man big enough to
distribute himself among different
parties.
There is much human nature
among Democrats" continued Sens
tor Daniel, when the din of applause
over his remarks had ceased
about the tables, ard perhaps there
is some error, but it ls q
good deal when man starts right.
The Senator's voice was clear and
forcible, and his eloquen. tones were
easily heard throughout the hall. IA
man can't be right, however, when
he is fishing around with every party
that comes along"
Senator Daniel paid his respects to
the Virginia Democratic Association
in splendid terms. He thanked the
members Of the association for their
constaucy to the Democratic cause.
They were organized, he said, twenty
years ago, when the Democracy OF
Virginia was discordant. Ever since
that time the Virgiuians had received
the associations assurance and sup
port. 80
"Oae year before 1896" said Sen
stor Daniel, "the Democrats OF this
country we're not in one.half as good
condition as they are now. There
have been many times when the skies
were darker than they are now"
With this the Senator told of Que OF
his political excursions from Lynch
burg several years ago in company
with two other orators to q Demo
cratic meeting, where they expected
to have large audience, but IN real
ity had an audience of only three per.
sons, one Republican. They seated
b m on log and proceeded to con.
vince him by oratory of the error Of
his way. THAT was one meeting,
at least" declared the Senator,
"where Democracy gained through
diplomacy and address. | have al
ways been hopeful of the Democratic
party. have never gone into hight
that | did not feel the Democrats
would furnish enlightenment for the
voters"
Senator Daniel then told of the
admission of North Dakota, South
Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho into
the Union and with Republican Sen
tors. He was grati6ed to see that in
1896 the Democrats went to Chicago
to declare what they thought and to
see the States referred to holding up
the Democratic platform. When he
added that he always had believed
there was a special providence for
"smsll children, drunken men, and
Democrats" there was prolonged ap.
plause.
81 am not going to discuss the
platform of 1900," said the Senator.
''Tbere is not line in that platform
in which | do not believe. There is
not q line or q word in it that man
who is a constitutional lawyer cannot
demonstrate to be sound in principle.
The Democratic platform of 1896 is
like ship-ironclad. 1t is impreg-
nable, sound in logic and morals. 1t
will stand the test.
"There is no party that was ever
able to lay down its line of battle be.
fore it was on the field. No political
party in 100 years has been able to
make two campaigns on the same
platform, not because they were not
true to their principles, but because
there has never been two consecutive
four years that did not present diff
ferent problems and problems in diff
ferent phases.
81 will not commit myself nor will
advise any Democrat to commit
himself so that be may not favor any
addition or amendment, as the
time, place, and circumstance may
call for. AS far as / know, our great
leader and standard bearer will lead
the party again in 1900. The great
place that he occupies in the conf
depce and the affections of the people
who voted for him must not be over