The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-08-24
DAVIS NOTIFIED At
White SULPHUR SPRINGS.
John Sharpe Williams Makes a
Lengthy Address, But Mr.. Da-
Wis Speaks Briefly and to
the Point.

words to let Senator Henery u. Davis,
of West Virginia know that the demo-
Gratis of the United States had honor
ed him with the nomination for the
Vice Presidency. Mr.. Davis needed
only 1000 words to accept the nomina-
tion and tell the convention that he
endorsed the platform and the Presi-
Dental candidate and to present his
views. The ceremony attending the
event was extremely simple, but full
of interest. It took place shortly
! after l O'Clock this afternoon in a
natural ampitheatre of stones thrown
up in front of the famous old Green
bieer Hotel, where majestic oaks
shaded the speakers stand. The stand
was decorated with patriotic colors for
the occasion and thousands of men and
women stood about on the green ap-
plauding the sentiments of the speak
ers. Those of national importance in
the party who were present were Perry
Belmont, of New York, John l. Mar
tin, Senator Daniel, of Virginia, Ma
tional Committeeman Morris, of the
District of Columbia, members of the
notification committee and a half
dozen others who had places on the
speakers stand. The weather was
ideal, with glorious sunshine.
Mr.. Williams began by formally
notifying Mr.. Davis of his nomination
and felicitously expressed the pleas
ure felt by himself and the committee
at their task.
He said he would entitle his ad-
dress: GA brief historical disquisition
| upon some blunders of our ancestors,
as viewed from the standpoint of the
wisdom of republican statesmen who
have embraced the strenuous life. -
The speech was in sarcastic strain
throughout. He said the first of these
"B1unders'' consisted in discriminate
ing against the red man, the next
| blunder consisted in taking up arms
| against King George. All are remind
ed of another blunder of our ancestors,
| both under the common law of Great
| Britin and the United Staes, they
seem to have entertained the notion
that combinations insrestraint of trade,
seeking monopoly, or throttling COM
petition, are in some way adverse to
the development of individuality.
Referring to the presidents foreign
policy M. Williams said, "What a
queer old-time, childish idea was that
| of our ancestors that the president of
the United States is simply the chief
executive and that his duty consists
in executing the laws as they are
written -
Mr.. Davis in reply said in part:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of
| the Committee:
| The official notification which you
bring of my nomination for the Vice
Presidency gives me feeling Of the
sincerest gratitude to my party for the
honor conferred.
! A spirit of determination to sue
ceed in the campaign before US ap-
pears to pervade the rank and file of
our party in all sections of the coun-
| ty. Of that rank and file I hive for
many years been member and have
at all times devoted my humble pow
ers to party success, believing that
success to be for the country's good.
l find it, therefore, great pleas
ure, standing here upon the boderland
of the two Virginias, to receive and
accept the commission you bear, to
send geetings though you to the de-
mocracy of the entire country.
AS Introductory to the few remarks
shall make, I desire to say that
l heartily endorse the platform upon
which I have been nominated and
with the Convention and its nominee
for President, regard the present moI-
etary standard of value as irrevocably
established.
He then referred to the extravagant
claims the Republicans have made and
are making to the credit for the pros
perity Of the country. He show
ed how the prosperity that we
have had was due to natural condi-
tions and the economical administra-
tion of the Democrats when in power.
He proved by the records that the
wasteful extravaganza of the Republi-
cans had more than once created an
enormous deficit in the treasury and
| hard times throughout the country.
He also severely critised the Presi
dent for asserting that the Republican
| party had been consistent advocate of
the gold standard and quoted from
Republican platforms in proof of their
crooked record on the monetary issue.
Near the conclusion of his remarks
he said:
"With a candidate whose personal
ity appeals to the good sense and
sound judgment of the American peo-
pie, a platform whose principles are
for the greatest good to the greatest
number, and reunited party earn
est for the restoration of good and
economical government, We should
succeed and the principles of demo
cracy again triumph.
1 beg my countrymen, as they value
their libery, to guard with great care
the sacred right of local self govern
ment, and to watch with Jealous eye
the tendency of the times to centralize
power in the hands of the few