Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-08-30
DEFEATED. BUT WITHOUT
A STAIN.

ZEN now echoes the same sentiment
in regard to Hon. Claude A. Swanson
because it is the almost unanimous
opinion of generous Virginia press
and public, the majority of whom
were against him in this fight. The
papers are teeming with his praise
and we cannot forbear to reproduce
some of them from papers which
opposed him:
(NorJolk Virginida. Pilot.)
"Those who heard or have read the
speech of Hon. Claude Swanson will
agree that the able young Congress
man from the Fifth district behaved
with most admirable spirit accepting
the results of the recent campaign
and pledging his hearty support to
the ticket.
The comment was common that by
bis bearing and his brilliant speech
before the Convention Mr.. Swanson
made many warm friends even among
those who were his opponents until
the issue in this campaign was settled
and the nomination for the head of
the ticket determined. Mr.. Swanson
took his defeat like the gentleman
and Democrat that he is, and the
Virginian- Pilot, which has had oc-
casion to criticise his affiliations in
some particulars, takes pleasure in
bearing testimony to that effect.
Mr.. Swanson is young man with
plenty of time, ability and courage,
aud for him, as for all snch, there is
lots of room in public life III the
Old Dominion, and meet rewards for
honorable and brilliant public SER
vice. Neither Hon. Claude Swan
son nor his friends have any cause
to feel downcast. He perhaps has
more sincere admirers among his
fellow Democrats of the State than
he has ever had before"
(RicImOnd Dispatch)
Altoget her, says the Fredericks-
6u'g Star, the happiest incident at
Norfolk was tie speech of Hon.
Claude A. Swanson, pledsing his
support to his successful rival, Mr.,
Montague.
The Stars words will be echoed
and endorsed by all who were present
at the convention, heard the speech,
and were witnesses to the sincerity
and loyalty to the party it evidenced.
1t would be poor compliment to
Mr.. Swanson to entertain the idea
that his failure to secure the Nor
folk nomination for, and consequent
election to, the highest place in the
gift of the people of the Common
wealth of Virginia was not keen
disappointment to him. But be
turned defeat into spledid victory
for duty and devotion to party and
State over political and personal am
bition, which carries with it laurels
any man might envy.
AS man, as Democrat, as a son
of Virginia, who recognizes that in
the continued supremacy of Democ.
racy is involved ali that makes fol
the veal of his mother he realized
fully the confidence of his friends
and rose to every obligation the con
ditions imposed upon him.
(RicAmond 7imes)
The speech of Mr.. Claude A.
Swanson before the Democratic Con.
vention in Norfolk did honor to the
man and to the Democratic party, OF
which he is an honored and an hon
orable member. 1t was a model of
good taste and good temper and elo-
quent in its manifest sincerity. 1t
is easy for man to be amiable when
the wreath of triumph rests upon
his brow; it is not so easy for him to
ee amiable in defeat. 1t must also
be remembered that Mr.. Swanson had
been in the habit of succeeding in
all of his undertakings. Several
years ago, when he was comparative
iy unknown, he set out to secure the
Democratic nomination for Congress
from the Fifth District of Virginia,
and he had a hard road to travel
just how hard none except those who
were with him in that campaign
understand. But in spite of all the
obstacles in the way, he secured the
nomination, and then, under more
difficulties, he was elected in a dis
trict where the opposition was strong
and had more than once triumphed.
He served his people well. however,
in Congress, and every two years
since that time he has been regularly
renominated and elected.
Mr.. Swanson has been an active
and a prominent member of the
House of Representatives for several
terms, has taken conspicuous part
in the political affairs of State and
nation, and in many contest of one
character or another his influence
has been brought to bear. But ii he
was ever defeated in any of these
undertakings, we do not recall the
fact. Long ago he set his heart up
on being Governor of Virginia-a
worthy and noble aspiration, aud be
had good reason to believe that this
honor would be his for the asking,
He was confident when this cam.
paign opened that he would win an
easy victory over his opponents, and
doubtless he had many times In his
quiet moments outlined the speech
of grateful acceptance, which he
would make before the Democ ratio
Convention of 1901. He made q
brilliant canvass, and he was ready
at all times and under all circum.
stances to go before the people and
declare the faith that was in him.
Indeed, he seemed to seek every sach
opportunity to let the people see and
hear him, and he seemed to be con.
tdent that if he could but present
his claims before the Democrats OF