The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-08-23
Ghe Nlessenga.
Entered at the Postoffce at Whining
ton. N. C.s as Second-CIass
Matter April Is. 1879.
A GLANCE AT THE VIRGINIA DEM
OCRATIC CONVENTION

ct in the field, one that VIII De sure 10
win, no doubt. The meeting at Nor
folk is reported to have been thorough
Iy harmonious. They did not go into
national politics. but confined their de-
Ifberations to state matters. which was
wise and prudent The republican
Washington Post says Of the outcome:
moreover, this has been down in such
fine shirt. with such fairness and con-
sideration. that the party now presents
an unbroken front-a spectacle Of gen.
nine concord-with no schisms or heart
burnings beneath the fair exterior. The
nomination Of Mr.. Montague, after a
brilliant but wholesome and chivalric
contest, reflects the highest credit upon
the gentleman himself without giving
his competitor h smallest ground for
o~ffense."
The new method. be it observed, Is
immensoIy rxacting upon aspirants,
and huge suspense upon the people at
large. For months candidates have
been canvassing Virginia The govern
-or-elect, Mr.. Montague, has a fine face
according to a picture we have seen.
The permanent chairman was MI. Car
ter Glass, the able, faithful democrat
who owns and edits the Lynchburg
News. A very a~ppreciative and becom-
ing recognition of his character and
abilities. He is a leading Methodist
Iayman. There was a gifted young fell
low in the convention, a son of Hon.
George C. Cabell, some time representa-
tive in the congress from the Danville
district, named after his able father. He
seems to be a "chip of the old block"
favors the father no little physically,
and although youthful, was selected in
the convention hat was very much a
young mans body, to make the nomin-
ating speech for Mr.. Montague. The
Washington Post says it was eloquent
and dramatic. AS he is clearly one of
the coming Virginians. we copy the de-
scription of him in the Post:
"'A young man of sInooth-shaven
features, athletic build. and theatrical
bearing is Mr.. Cabell. His strong voice
vibrated from wall to wall and, like a
trained elocutionist. he commanded at
tention with his measured sentences.
His actor like tread as he spoke and
his studied gestures were superb"
He concluded his fervid oratory in
this wise:
MY countrymen give Montague to
Virginia, for Virginia has need of just
such a man. And, oh, will this not be a
gladstone day for the old common
wealth.; a day that Will mark an epoch
in her political and industrial history!
MAKE him captain of our old ship of
state, give him a capable lieutenant
governor and an experienced attorney
for the first and second mates,
place aboard of her Taylor Ellyson as
pilot and the new constitution as a nav
igating chart, man her with a crew OF
true and tried democrats. and after a
four years prosperous cruise she will
return to her mornings without a ShlV-
cred timber or a broken spar.
Gentlemen of the convention, 1 take
pleasure in placing in nomination for
the high and exalted office Of governor
of this commonwealth the name of the
young Hickory of Observation-Disclosures
Jackson Montague"
Mr.. Ellyson, who has been chairman
of the democratic state committee for
years, is the senior proprietor of the
staunch, old Richmond Dispatch The
leading opponent of Mr.. Montague, Hon.
A. Swanson. made a vigorous
and eloquent speech in favor Of
his successful competitor. MIR. Mon
tague's speech OF acceptance was in fine
spirit and taste; and was practical
withal. He will be the youngest gov
N his state has ever had. He is now
in his 3Sth year, we think. His name is
good one for a democrat-Andrew Jack
son Montague. He is a man of force,
of energy, Of will.
Senator Daniel. of course, was a
prominent man in the body. He is
V~irginia's greatest orator now, we sup
pose. He walked up and down the plat
form as he spoke. He spoke wisely,
conservatively. We take a point or two
from the Posts report:
mo great work was ever done in sud
den fashion, he said of the constltu-
tional convention. You must permit
vour convention without being nagged
OF exasperated to do its work thorough
w. to lay the foundation stones and
nut the mortar around them. No n
in this state. however wise or
great, can fashion a constitution Ior
all the people. The constitution must
grow out of the sentiment OF the people,
Just as the skin grows out of and COW
ers the body" Great applauSe).
1.-THE senator told a story of boys ne
11sed to play with that wanted to pull
a setting hen off the nest every day TO
see whether the ~ were hatchlng:
You must give old mother democracy,
he added. "time to carefully select the
eggs for the setting"
The Post notices that during h pro-
-ceedings Bryan was frequently inter
red. 1t says "there is no more resur-
-rection for Bryan" according to speak
ers. And yet, as The Messengers Nor
folk dispatch of yesterday stated, the
platform adopted "upholds Wliharn
Jennings Bryan in its first plank In
which admiration is expressed for all
the leaders of the party from Jefferson
down.. This plank was not
by the convention. Notwithstanding the
fair applause which had greeted utter
ances against Bryan and free silver
prior to the submission Of h commit
tees report"
The harbor boat Petrolia, OF the
Ct..5,-5 oil Company was burnt at