Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-09
WEBSTER DAVIS
Lectures at Washington on
South African War.
The Audience Sympathizes with the
Republics in Their Misfortune
But Resents Attacks on Administration ard
Slufs on England.

Washington, April S.-An immense
audience gathered at the Grand Opera
house, tonight, to listen to an address!
on the war in South Africa by the Hon
Webster Davis, eX-assistant secretary
of the interior, who has just returned
to the United States from that coun'
try. Every available bit of STANDING
room in the Opera house, the larges'
auditorium in Washington, was flleo
with auditors, who paid close attention
to every word uttered by the speaker
and manifested their appreciation oil
his telling points with frequent APP
plause. Simple decorations of the
United States flag and the emblem OF
the Beers were suspended over the
stage. A score or more pubic mel
mainly senators and representatives /"
Congress, occupied seats on the stase
and in the audience, among Whom were
the following: Senators Gay, Daiilel
Teller, Bacon, Allen and Mason ana
Representatives Talbert, Jett Little
field. Ridgeley, Robinson OF lholaha
Burke of Texas. Ball, Gilbert, Latlmer
Cox of Tennessee, Cowherd, clark oil
Missouri Bartholdt and Shafroth.
Mr.. Davis was introduced by Z. T.
Moran, chairman of the executive COM
mittee. Mr.. Davis delivered his re-
marks in an off hand, easy style, refer
ring to his notes only occasionally. tie
spoke for about two hours and at tins
close was warmly congratulated.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Davis ad-
dress. l.. Louter Vessels, special com
missioner from the South African re-
publics. made a brief address.
Then Chairman Moran offered q
series of resolutions, expressing "oui
deep and heartfelt sympathy for the
heroic patriots of the South African
republics in their immortal fight for
their homes and liberty and our admi-
ration of their indomitable courage
and unexampled heroism in their Won
derful struggles against the British
enemies of republican government
commenting the Washington Post so1
it's work in behalf of the South African
republics; thanking Mr.. Davis for his
eloquent and mastcrful presentation OF
the struggle between the Beers and tn
British and rendering his applause for
his manly course in taking the lecture
platform as a free American citizen t.
plead the cause of freedom and Re
DuDllcdn government III 'NouNAi zhiti''t
and assuring him that the great mass
of the American people are in sympa-
thy with the Beers aud that we d.
nounce the present British government
and it's secret allies in this country a
wholly unworthy Of the respect Of any
true American citizen.
The resolution met with Il cordial re-
ception by the audience until the final
declaration denouncing the British gov
eminent and it's secret allies in this
country was read. This was received
whit a storm Of Kisses. and cries 81
mo, No" Mr.. Moran then asked foi
a vote on the resolutions as Il whole
There were a great number of ayes
and il seemed almost an equal number
of noes. and the chairman declared the
resolutions carried.
In his opening address Mr.. Moran at
tackled the administration and was
greeted with Kisses and tries OF
traitor"