Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-11-05
ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING.
Thrilling Speeches by Col. +. IL. smit
and Hon, Claude A. swanson.

last uiRuts Luz huoio "~S
the speakers electrical. convincing and
and the large assembly
of ladies 10 the gallery lent thei r
sweetest smiles to the scene. The hall
was literally packed by the time the
speakers assembled to the stage and
the large crowd remained until the
end. Haley's Band was on hand, and
as prelude struck up the Star-spangled
Banner, shifted 10 Dixie and ended
with Aud Lang Syne. The enthusi.
asm rose to fever heat, and the loud
ard uprosrious applause which greeted
the music and speakers was uuexcelled
by any meeting ever held 10 this CITY.
Col. Francis l.. Smith, member OF the
constitutional convention, was the first
He was introduced by Mr..
Chss. Bsndheim, chairman OF the city
democratic committee, in few appro-
pirate remarks. After the applause
had subsidized Col. Smith began bis
speech by saying:
"Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen:
1t affords me double pleasure to be
with you tonight. First, that with you
may enjoy listening to the address OF
the distinguished gentleman who Is the
chief speaker OF the evening. Before
the Norfolk convention 10 August,
when there were two candidates for
nomination by the democratic party for
the high and exalted Office OF governor
of the commonwealth, / In common
with many OF you had my choice,
Claude A. Swanson. His loyalty to
State, to party and to race attest Ms
worlhiness to aspire to that honorable
position.
Now, he and and sill OF you
Are for Andrew Jackson Montague.
And the second pleasure Ia, that may
renew acquaintance with you, my fell
low citizens, for it Is now nearly i've
months since, when bearing your COM
mission to represent your interests 10
the constitutional convention, / started
for Richmond to attend the session OF
that body. l am sure that the inter
yening time has seemed longer to me
than to you and that there is no man
10 this assemblage happier than l, to be
once more 10 our good, old town, look
log into kindly faces and hearing cheer
log words of welcome to home and
friends. As you are we'll aware, the
object of this convention is to frame
constitution in the place OF the Under
wood constitution. That Instrument
was a product of the reconstruction
era"
The speaker then rapidly traced the
history OF Virginia from the time she
emerged from the war between the
states down to the preseDt-vivjdly
portrayiug the horrors OF reconstruc
lion days, the foisting OF the present
constitution on the Old Dominion with
odious provisions, the attempt OF its
trainers to disfranchise every Virginisr
who was in the Southern army or who
sympathized with the South in III
struggle, the rise OF Mahoneism, the
dark period Of the States history when
the readjuster-republican party pre-
sided over our destinies, the emerging
OF the State from its loathsome EN-
brace and the bright conditions which
have been produced under the demo
cratic rule OF the last fifteen years. Con-
tinuing he said:
1.-THE task of the present convention
Ia a complex and herculean one. 1t Ii
confronted with difficulties such as never
beset any prior assembly of similar
character. In dealing with the suffrage
question, it has ever before 1t the 10th
amendment to the constitution OF the
United States, which declares that the
right of citizens of the United States to
vote shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States, or by any State, on
account OF race, color or previous con-
dition of servitude. It's work ID neces-
sarily OF an extremely delicate nature;
it requires skill, learning and wisdom,
and is not by any to be entered into 40
advisedly or lightly, but reverently, dis
creetly, advisedly, soberly and 10 the
fear of God. 1t will demand all the
diligence, patience, acumeD and ability,
which it is possible to employ In the per-
Torrance OF such sacred trust"
Colonel Smith then proceeded to give
a clear and concise account OF his stew
ardship as q member of the convention,
the mighty problem 1t bad to solve and
the labor and thought requisite to frame
an instrument which will meet present
conditions. 10 referring to the suffrage
question be said:
"Under the provision OF the Missis'
sippi Constitution inconnection with the
payment of poll or captation tax. the
negro vote fell off from upwards OF
100000 to about 10000. Louisiana,
North and South Carolina and Alabama
have also adopted modern constitutions
containing provisions for protection OF
the illiterate and non property owing
white men. 1t lie the purpose OF the
Virginia convention to do the same.
But our opponents have said that IL Is
the intention OF this body to disirancnise
white men, and they have endeavored
to SOW the poisonous seeds OF alarm,
distrust and suspicion in the sensitive
bosoms of many OF our voters. VIII
you not rather place your confidence
and trust in your friends, my fellow
citizens, and follow them? The white
men without property and some who
are illiterate have been 10 the ranks OF
the great democratic army and among
its truest and stsunchest followers.
They could not be led from its banners
by threats, fear, or persuasion 10 the two
stirring campaigns when Bryan was our
chieitaiD, and will never vote to dis
franchise them, never, never, never"
10 referring to the work of the judicl-
airy committee the speaker said: I'VE
have q county Judge in nearly every
county, say 100 in round numbers, and
Is circuit judges. Under plan pro-
posed by the committee all of the coun.
ty courts will be abolished, and a in
stead of Is Circuit Judges will do the
work. This, it is believed, will result
In saving large amouut.of money an.
nually."
After a careful recapitulstion of the