The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-08-17
Mr. Montague's Speech.

IL NliliiN NnN'A'NNfiN W. fh''h ~
acceptance Of the honor which you. the
accredited representatives 0f the Dcmoc-
racy Of Virginia. have just conferred upon
me-; for no modesty should induce me to
disguise the fact that your action has.
ior some weeks been generally anticipat-
ed. But | am unable to withhold. and l. do
not think it proper To withhold, someeN-
pressiOns. however inadequate, OF my ap-
probation Of yOnr action; and beg to
tender 10 the members of this convention.
and through them tO the Democratic
people of the State, my profound and
abiding gratitude for this proud and hon
orable distinction.
Though the fundamental creed Of the
Democratic party never changes, yet To
its glory il may be- said that its princi-
pies have adapted themselves. and will
adapt themselves, 10 the varying needs
and exigcnces OF free people. Conse-
quenty today. ~ We must realize. our
State has entered upon an era of mate
rial commercial and educational ad-
vancement. and our people must be con
graduated that the Democratic party will
guide and administer our Government
as il proceeds upon a career of such po-
tentalities. Indeed it il essential that
our party shall administer il. for il can
not now be- safely administered by any
other hands.
The demand for better public roads is
heard throughout the Commonwealth.
The State il growing 80 rapidly in riches
and power that she can now undertake
this great public work IL may not be-
expedient to provide an elaborate sys-
TEN at once: but n system can be intro
duced which will give hope that in due
time our roads will be- one of the greatest
factors in our industrial progress. shall
not advance arguments for good roads.
History experience and our present needs
demonstrate the necessity for the immedi-
ate inauguration Of policy giving our
people greater facilities for the trans
portation of their products To the
highways Of commerce and for the
promotion OF social intercourse and do
mestic comfort
Our party has been the faithful custo-
dian OF public our free school system.
We have done the best we could with
the means at our command and with
in the limitations of our Constitution
vet many realize the system can
not be greatly improve until our
school terms are longer, our school
laws wiser and better educational adj
yantages are brought within the reach
Of our children. Moreover, it is essential
that this system shall be so conducted
that the people may know that the pub
lie free schools should not educate our
children away from labor, but toward
labor. Our children must he taught to
coin their thoughts into work no less
than into words. Therefore, our people
hope for, and will energetically devise at
no distant day, some means whereby we
may begin a wise aud efficient system Of
industrial and mechanical education
| When this is done we can utilize our
wealth Of water. OF forest, OF field and
OF mine. We need not then sell abroad
the crude products of our forests, fields
and mines and buy back the articles
manufactured thereirom enhanced in
value 10. 30 and 100 fold. We need not
then sell. as we do now. our Drawn and
buy back brain. We will then develop
our own resources, make our own wares,
build up our own people in thrift, in in
telligence, in comfort and in happiness.
In the nature of things agriculture, the
Oldest and most Indispensable OF all arts,
will continue to be the chief occupation
of the people of Virginia; and a. such it
should be to the Democratic party the
object of most Jealous care. Within the
past two years, AZ the result OF Demo
cratic measure, the revenue derived from
fertilizers has provided means not only
for the analysis Of fertilizers and for ex-
periments in scientific farming, but also
for the establishment of farmers insti-
tutes. which are now disseminating
among our farmers the most approved
agricultural education.
Larger and better things seem in store
for our Commonwealth. A new Consti-
tuition. now framing by our ablest and
best men. gives every promise of meeting
the hopes and needs Of progressive
and patriotic people.
My own views upon the subject ol
Democratic primaries are too well known
to need elaboration, yet beg to exhort
my Democratic brethren that in the
selection OF State officials and United
states Senators a primary election sys-
tenn should be adopted
And as we assemble here in this city
compassed by.
Bays and broad-arm port
Where, laughing at the storm, rich navie'
ride,
and throbbing with victorious industry
let us be as men in house OF one min6
determind to achieve the full mission o
our party and to give to the people o
this great and ancient Commonwealth
government commensurate with thel
lofty ideals and aspirations.
CONGRESSMAN swANsoN's GRACEFUL AM
ELOQUENT SPEECH.
A distinct feature OF the night pro
ceedings was Hon. Claude A. Swanson