Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-09-06
Republican Campaign Opened
by Judge Lewis

Durg labU DdVuIuaJ' hS A@OOe&AH
was the formal opening of the
State campaign. Congressman
Slemp and State Chair m a n
Slemot made short addresses at
the conclusion of Judge Lswis's
address. The following report,
in part, appeared in Sundays
Times-Dispatch of Richmond:
Judge Lewis spoke about two
hours. The speech was very con-
servative. 1t was largely devoid
of those features which are csleu
lated to excite enthusiasm. There
was not much of this article visi-
BILE, although the judge, who lived
here for years, was warmly re-
csived upon being introduced by
Chairman Jonn b. Webb, and was
frequently applauded. But he was
not so aggressive as he might have
been. The speech was entertain
ing and entirely lacking in that
which would offend the >sensibiii-
ties of his opponents. When the
APP plause and the accompanying
strains of the bands had subsidized,
Judge Lewis began his speech by
paying tribute to Rocking ham,
his old country, dwelling upon its
great material growth, of which 80
much has been written in the past
year or two.
"Protection, progress and popu-
lar education said the judge,
"are the three cardinal principles
of the Republican party. Nobody
| knows what the Democratic party
stands for in this State campaign.
1t mas no platform. wish l did
know its principles,so l could dis
cuss them. The issue cannot be
joined.
"Why should the people of Vir-
GINA retain in power a party
| which the American people have
overwhelmingly defeated and over
| thrown? The only effect OF keep
| ing Virginia Democratic is to keep
ON top twelve electoral votes 10 be
cast for any man, no matter who,
representing anything, no matter
what. Heretofore the Demo
cratic leaders in Virginia have
been able to do that thing largely
through potent appeals to race
prejudice. Such an appeal, always
specious, is now nothing short OF
idiotic and ridiculous. Neverthe-
less, the Virginia people had kept
on voting the Democratic ticket.
"The race issue is dead" de.
clared Judge Lewis, "and gone
forever out of American politics
Why should not white Yirginians
LAY aside prejudice and invoke
reason in the solution of the
practical problems which confronts
usP The fight is now on between
members of the AnglO-SaxOn race
individually. 1 believe every man
in this country, whether his stain
be white, black, brown or yellow,
should be safe-guarded in his poll
tical rights. Social equality is
quite another thing, and as an is-
sue in the campaign is all rot"
Judge Lewis said that as all
fear of negro domination in Vir'
GINA had been eliminated, he
hoped and expected to- have fair
| play in THE election. 81 want a
stand-up and knock-down fight,
and may the best man win"
Referring to the declaration for
better schools and free books, he
said it was genuine Republican
doctrine.
The Republican, party had es-
tablished the free school system OF
Virginia, it had starved under
Democratic rule nntil the Read
ulster Republicans had enme in
and pnt the system on its feet
again. Regarding the plank de-
claring for good roads with FedeI-
al aid, he said the latter could
only be obtained through the Re-
publican party and could be best
applied if the Republicans were in
control of the State government
| He charged the Democrats with
employing very bad system OF
bookkeeping and quoted Lieut.
enant-G Governor Wizards state
ment, made here last Nay, that
the bookkeeping system in the
Office of the auditor OF public ac-
counts was so bad that it was i'm.
possible to tell within ten thous'
4 and dollars the exact amour,
stolen from the State by j. H.
Shepherd.
Three hundred thousand had
been stolen in the past twenty
years, he said, fact developed BY
q resolution offered in the State
Senate last year by Republican.
He denied saying at Roanoke
that millions had been stolen. HI
had heard the defaIcation of many
treasprers, he did not know bow
much they had taken. Elect hin
Governor and he would find out
Judge Lewis said be should not bt
regarded as casting the slightest
reflection upon the character oil
| e. -