Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-06
stood facing the thousands of specta-
WEBSTER DAVIS SPEAKS

WEBSTER DAVIS SPEAKS.
The speech OF Mr.. Davis was ar
ranged In order to enable him to an
nounce his allegiance to the Democrat
nc party and the platform and to the
ticket OF the convention.
The dramatic style, and with all tbe
force and magnetism of Il fine orator.
MIR. Davis began his address. He de-
nounced as malicious lie" the state
ment that he had been forced to leave
his office in the present national adj
ministration. He pictured in brilliant
ana flaming sentences the "cruelties"
and aggressions practiced by Great
Britain upon the Beers of South Afri-
ca He expressed his intense satisfac-
ton that the Democratic party had in
corporated in the platform q plank so
cordially and enthusiastically endor-
sing the cause of the Beers, which was
the cause of liberty and justice AS
he felt. he said. that this great Re-
public should not chain itself to the
chariot wheels of the empire that was
crushing liberty to death in South Az
RIGA. he believed it to be his duty to
party.
His account with the Republican
party he regarded as fully balanced.
He owed II no further obligations.
These sentiments met with much ap-
plausc.
RENOUNCES REPUBLICANISM.
In conclusion. in announcing his in
tcntion of supporting the Democratic
party and it's ticket, Mr.. Davis said
with great emphasis: II stand upon
this platform, and shall support w
j. BrenntnEs." 1t was a curious and
laughable confusion OF tho syllables of
i3ryan's name; but the crowd knew
what he meant and cheered him wild
ly.
AS Mr.. Davis concluded the band
struck up Hail to the Chief" and
While 1t was rendering the air. he held
an impromptu reception upon the plat
form. Chairman Richardson was the
first to grasp his hand as he concluded
then Senator j. *. Jones and others
crowded around him until he had great
the platform as soon as he was able
but on the way to his seat he was
given shouts of approval by those
whom he passed. The band passed
from Hail to the Chief to "Ameri-
ca and the convention sung with it
until the band would play no more.
Sergcant-at-Arms Martin rose to his
feet and waved desperately for 81
lence. When a few degrees of con-
fusion had been eliminated, ne said:
''The next business before the conven-
ton is the nomination of n candidate
for III" Presidency OF the United
States. The Secretary will call the roll
of States"
TO CONFER WITH OTHER
PARTIES.
Before doing so the Secretary read
the names of the members of the COM
nIttec appointed by the Chair to con-
fer with the Silver Republicans and
Popuiistu In accordance with the reso-
lutions introduced by George Fred
Williams, of Massachusetts, at the
morning session. They are: George
Fred Williams. Massachusetts; ]. G.
Berry, Arkansas; w. II. Thompson,
Nebraska: Charles Thomas. Colorado;
]. S. Rose. Wisconsin: Thomas S.
ifornla: B. r. Tillman. South Carolina;
| Carter IL. Harrison. Illinois.
Alabama" the secretary then shout
ed, commencing the call of the roll.
THE State of Alabama" said the
chairman of the delegation of that
State, yields to Nebraska the privl-
lege of naming the next President OF
the United States"
OLDHAM DOMINATES BRYAN.
w. D. Oldham. OF Nebraska, who
was TO present the name of Mr.. Bryan
to the convention, was waiting by the
chairman's desk. and as the chairman
of the Ala bama delegation resumed his
seat he came forward and in very
graceful words expressed his apprecia-
ton of the favor extended by Alabama
in surrcnderinG its time to the State
of Ncbra ska.
HON, w. ID. OLDHAN'S SPEECH.
The I%,n. w. d. Oldham, of Nc
braska, said:
MIR. Chairman: More than n hun
drcd years ago the Continental Con-
gross OF America adopted a dcclara-
ton which had been drafted by the
founder of the Democratic party. and
the joyous tones of the old Liberty
Sell which greeted tho act. announced
to a waiting world that Il nation had
been born.
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