The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-13
WEST VIRGINIA
SAFE FOR DAVIS
JUNGLE HENRY'S COUNTRY
SEEMS TO BE ALMOST SOLID FOR
WEALTHY EX-SENATOR,

most Endearment Rather Than
One Containing Even a Hint OF
Disrespect-Man as Seen During
Social Gatherings at "The ola
White"- senator Davis a Friend
OF the South.
Uncle Henry's country" as West
Virginia is being everywhere called
since ex-senator Henry G. Davis was
nominated as Democratic candidate for
Vice President, is almost certain to. be
found in the Democratic column after
the votes have been counted in No
vember," said a Savannahian who has
Just returned from that state.
"A trip through the state of noun
tains gas, COAL and Senator Elkins is
enough to convince even the most
skeptical of this fact.
In the cities of Wheeling, Parkers-
burg, and Charleston, and in the lit
tie mountain villages that cluster
among the hills, one is saluted on ev-
cry corner with Are you going to turn
in for your Uncle Henry? % So general
has this become that the Democratic
war-cry in the Panhandle State is
Turn in for your Uncle Henry" For
the Democrats that cry is taking the
Hanna!" that Republicans used in all
sections in 1896 Uncle Henry carries
with it no hint of disrespect, but is
rather a term of almost endearment,
Just as was Jacksons "Old Hickory"
The popularity of Mr.. Davis is wide
spread and is not confined to any one
class. The railroad men look upon
him, in spite of his great wealth, as a
brother, and a quiet but effective sys-
TEN of electioneering has been inau-
gurated by them. Labor generally
looks upon him as it's friend and there
is a feeling that their interests will be
we'll cared for if he is put in the second
highest office in the country.
The professional classes and the
wealthy classes turn to him with con-
fidence. He has risen from the ranks
and knows life in all it's grades. His
experience makes him ably fitted to
deal with any business questions that
may arise and his clear-head and
'horse-sense', as the West Virginians
call it. make him the ideal running
mate for Judge Parker.
A Friend of the South.
In his early training, his birth, and
in his sentiments Senator Davis is a
true Southerner. When he meets any
of the Southern Congressman and Sen
ators or politicians he begins making
inquiries about local conditions and
the questions asked, and the general
trend of the conversation, shows clear
~ that he is we'll informed on the vital
questions to the South.
" Senator Davis is a Southern man in
belief, training, and in his natural in
stincts said close personal friend
and political adviser of the vice presi-
dental candidate to me, and if elected
to the office for which he has been NOM
mated. the South will know it has a
strong friend at court.
He has studied the situation care
fully and knows the questions peculiar
to the South that are constantly aris-
ing. Had the Democratic convention
chosen man from the far South as a
running mate for Judge Parker, they
would have had no better friend than
they have in Mr.. Davis. The action of
the Georgia delegation at st. Louis is
remembered by Mr. Davis. as a friend
of Judge Parker, and if elected vice
president, the Empire State will not be
forgotten"
The Man Himself.
Shortly after 10 o'clock few weeks
ago Senator Davis entered the ball
room of the famous "Old White" at
White Sulphur Springs, and a few
minutes later was ready to lead the
german. To one who did not know,
he was nearly 80 years of age, he APP
peared merely a genial Southern gen.
tleman of of about go or 65 years OF
age, remarkably well preserved, and
out for a pleasant social evening.
ON the night referred to, the ex-
Senator danced until near l o'clock
and even at that hour had not left
the ballroom. He circulated every
where and engaged in conversation
with different groups scattered about
the wide windows and out on the
verandds. Political questions were en-
tirely forgotten and the supreme OBJ
Ject of the octogenarian's life at that
moment seemed to be to enjoy himself
and make the evening a pleasant one
for all with whom he came in con-
tact.
The air of true democracy which
pervades him, the absolute lack of any
SNllst Ol L am InlSHlleT lldn you,
the cordial hand-shake for all and the
unfailing recognition of old acquaint-
ances, be their station in life what II
may, are the leading qualities that
nave endeared the old gentleman Ia
the people of West Virginia. These
qualities make it almost certain that
ms state will stand by him, even were
II not for the fact that there is gen.
eral dissatisfaction with the Republi-
can state ticket, headed by Dawson
Confident of Success.
Why, of course, am going to be
elected. said Senator Davis, when
asked what he thought of Democratic
chances in November. I am too old
"a be just running for the fun of 1t. If
mad not been certain that this coun-
Try was going to stand by Judge Par
ker ! would never have consented to
De his running-mate. And now, let's
crop politics, as we came here for So
clal purposes and not political And
not another word on politics could be
Drawn from the candidate.
With the exception of West Vir-
einia, however, there Is a lamentable
Jack of enthusiasm. The doing away
entirely with the money issue seems TO
nave acted as damper and the people
apparently do not care which party
Is successful at the polls. The general
telling I'm the North is that West Vir-
gluia, Maryland and Delaware will be
surely Democratic with a strong prob
ability OF New York falling into line.
ms makes the fight hinge on getting
ether New Jersey. Indiana, Massachu-
N..sr HN 40