The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-18
And the Biting Irony of Williams as
He Points Out the Absurdities of the
Republican Contentious Arouses
Them to Laughter and Cheers.
Davis in His Speech of Acceptance
Refers to the Days When He Was
a Wage Worker and to His Sympa-
thy With the Masses.
(By the Associated Press.l

White Sulphur Springs, W. Va,
Aug. 17.-Henry G. Davis today was
formally notified of and formally ac-
cepted his nomination by the Demo-
cratic party for vice-president of tho
United States. The ceremonies took
place in the open air in the grounds
of Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs
Hotel, and were marked by simplicity
in every detail. Mr.. Davis was es-
corted to the flag g-draped platform at
1880 o'clock in the afternoon by Rep
resentative John Sharpe Williams, OF
Mississippi who delivered the notifi-
cation address. An invocation by the
Right Rev DIR. w. L. Gravatt, of the
Episcopal diocese of West VirginiS
preceded Mr.. Williams address, IT
took Mr.. Davis ten minutes to read
his formal acceptance, but he pre-
faced this with a heart to heart talk
of like duration to the several thous-
and friends and neighbors who were
gathered under the trees as his au-
dience.
A reception and cotillion in honor
of the nominee were held in the hotel
In the evening.
n Cosmopolitan Gathering.
special trains began arriving at
White Sulphur last night Several
came this morning and the last,
fifteen-car special from Charleston,
w. Va, delayed the ceremonies a half
hour, as Mr.. Davis did not wish TO
disappoint his friends en- route by pro
ceeding without them. Old fashioned.
coaches and four" rolled in with
steaming horses anI merry passengers
from nearby resorts; farmers drove
to 1.-The White" with their families
from many miles around and noun
taineers made pilgrimageS with sad
die bags crammed with rations. White
Sulphur has a ~oDulation at this time
of the year of nearly thousand
guests-mostly the feminine elite Of
Southern society. These, in their sum-
mer finery, together with the travel
stained visitors made a most cosmo-
politan gathering estimated from
three to four thousand in number.
In enthusiastic demonstration sit die
itself proud" as Mr.. Williams put it.
The day was perfect one. The sun
shone throughout and the pure air of
the mountains stirred gently into cool
ing breezes. The upward slope of the
lawn on all sides and the erection OF
a sounding board back of the stanG
made speech easy and the acoustics
good.
Davis the CynoSure.
Mr.. Davis was the center of interest
throughout the day. He was early
on the hotel verandas greeting friends
Conferences .were held later, then
came the committee notification at
1870 o'clock. After an early lunch
con the Senator" as he is still famil-
iarly called, sought the privacy of his
room for brief rest. Ills excellent
health and evidences OF physical
strength were subjects of congratula7 :
tion on the part OF his tnends. MI.
Davis makes no Dretense at oratory.
His delivery is OF the conversational
stvle and his emphasis is effected by
pauses rather than by gesture or
voice infection. His Speech is earn
est and matter of fact.
When it came his time to respond TO
the notification address, he was kept
standing some minutes while the au-
dience expressed its enthusiasm This
affected Mr.. Davis. He said:
81 know that you mean all that you
have said and all that you have done.
| feel confident further that this mag
nificent gathering of the citizens Of
West Virginia and the adjoining
States means more than simply tho
hearty clapping of hands. 1t means
victory" Applause interrupted the
speaker at this point and when Mr.
Davis continued he complimented Mr.
Williams on his speech and on mis-
oratory and turned the compliment
also to Senator Daniel, who occupied
seat on the platform. Before tax
ing UP his speech proper he took the
ladies into his confidence and COM
missioned them to be vote getters fo,.
the success of the ticket. Mr.. Davla
- dld not follow his manuscript ciosely'
thousn he held it I'm his hand he
meh,loned the name Parker ana the
meut later he s,nna l,la.a If tha niatfob.m and
on von.ention between Hill anti Bry-
Rrvers esr It's rrovisions. Immeplateiy
cheenas name was taken upl ana
noae Well' said Mr.. DavisA with
storad dnans ~ smile when quiet waS re-
form committee and between those
: W. seh'ieinen. but the platform was