Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-11-01
GRAND DEMOCRATIC RALLY.

out en- mssee last night to welcome
Hon. A. J. Montague to this city. The
demonstration was one Of the most en-
thusiastic ever before witnessed here
abouts and the scenes and incidents
we're most thrilling. Long before the
hour announced for the meeting people
began to pour into the Opera House,
and at the time the meeting was called
to order all the seats were occupied and
many were standing 10 the aisles and
pssssReways aud behind tina scenery on
the stage. 10 the GALLERIES numbers OF
ladies were seated. A band Of music
was 10 attendance and it discussed
thrilling notes during intervals. There
was al first a wave of disappointment
| lowering over the audience from an an.
nouDcement to the effect that the train
bsariDg Mr.. Montague was four hours
| late, the result ofa freight wreck on the
Seaboard Air Line, and that there was
a strong probability that he would not
reach this city until midnight. by which
AIexandrians would be deprived OF bis
oratory, as be bad other engagements
| 10 different parts OF the State before
election day. The audience, however,
were told 10 hope for the best, that the
candidate for Governor might possibly
surprise them by appearing. even at sn
unreasonable hour. Like good demo-
Gratis, victims of other sore disappoint-
ments in the past FIVE years, they hoped
On and were not disappointed and did
hear the distinguished Virginian In one
of bis hsppiest efforts.
About o'clock Mr.. Charles Bend
helm, chairman OF the city democratic
committee, who with others was seat
ei on the stage, advanced and in short
but appropriate speech presented Mr..
James r. Cation, democratic candidate
from this city and county for the House
of Delegates. He introduced him rs
the next member OF the Legislature from
Alexandris. Mr.. Cation was received
with much applause. He began his
speech by saying that he confessed en-
barrassment owing to the disappoint-
ment occasioned the audience by the
provoking accident which had delayed
the arrival OF Mr.. Montague. The as
semblsge bad gathered to hear that
gentleman, the sllver-toDgued orator oil
the Old Dominion, who would have, AS
always, charmed his audience. He said
| telegram had been received an
nounciDg wreck on the Sesboard Air
Line, and Mr.. Montague would prob
ably be from three to four hours
late 10 reaching this city. There was,
however, q possibility OF him reaching
the hall before the meeting adjourned.
Mr.. eaton stated that his plans had
been deranged, as be had prepared
speech which he intended delivering 10
introducing Mr.. Montague. He would
now be compelled to change his pro-
gramme, and make another speech
which would be brief, as he had only a
few things to say to the audience. He
began by thanking those who had hon.
ored him with their confidence by max
ibg him their standsrd-bearer in this
city aud county, and assured all pres
ept that be would labor assiduously
and sincerely in the interests OF the
co nstituency be represented when be
took his seat as a member OF the Gen.
eral Assembly. He then rapidly por-
trayed the issues which confront the
State at this time. The main struggle
was the hopeless one the republicans are
now making against the democratic
party. There was no new party
and 10 reality no new Issues, as
The same issues which were being
chsmpioned by the republicans were
identical with those which had distract
ed Virginia since reconstruction days.
There was no difference In the declara-
ton of republican principles Of now and
then. The speaker appealed to bis
hearers to know if such was the fact
what good reason could be urged for
voting for principles which had been
repudated by the good people Of the
State for a third OF century. He
rapidly Iglanced over the situation In
Virginia and referred 10 the present
condition Of affairs in the country at
large and ridiculed the dream OF repub
licals that the present squirt in business
was due to any policy OF that party. All
that occurred, he maintained, during
the past few years was due to providen-
tial circumstances and in 20 way the re-
suit OF the misrule OF the republicans
who had appropriated the glory to
themselves. Mr.. Cation gave logical
reason for the seemingly transient &C.
tiyity now discernible In the different
branches Of industry, and reverted to
the questions which more directly con.
Germ Virginisns at this particular time.
He took up the several objections the re-
pubicans 10 this State are urging
against the democratic party, and e.
fectually answered each and every one
to the satisfaction OF his audience. The |
republicans, be said, were expatiatiDg
on negro suffrage, as they we're when |
they foisted the present Underwood |
constitution on the State, and that 10.
sirumeDt they endorse, "a they did |
then. With them it Was the same old |
story OF the last thirty-6ve years.
The UnderW God constitution had been
forced upon Virginia 10 the days OF
osyonet rule, when in order TO
regain statehood Ii was necessary to
subscribe TO that instrument, and the
people who were parties to the out
rage would would keep the trsmmsls
upon old Virginia. Mr.. Cation then
proceeded to expose the present re.
publican platform, during which be
showed that the leaders Of that party
favored measures today which would
result In placing Virginisns on plane
with illiterate negroes. He graphically
the personnel of the two
candidates now in the field for Gov
ernor of the Safe. 10 contrasting the
one with the other be could see no
logical reason why apy should prefer
Hoge to Montague. He had nothing
to say concerning the political careers
Of others on the republican ticket, but
reminded his hearers OF the fact that