Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-09-20
MOORE TELLS of
VIRGINIA. PART
Virginian LEADS in Celebra-
ton of Federal
Constitution
Is GIVEN AN OVATION
Entire Membership Rises and Ap-
plauds Orators Maiden Speech
Fer Several Minutes.

An unusual ovation was given Rep
resertativc R. Walton Moore, the new
Congressman from the Eighth Vir,
g:n:a district, when he concluded d
Dominate address in the House tics-
terday upon the part that Virginia
had played in the organization CT tn:
first Constitutional Convention anC
in the formation and adoption of tks
Constitution itself. When he had fin
;shed, the entire membership rose tc
its feet and aplauded the Virgiriar
for many minutes.
The House had met "a hour G
than usual yesterday 70 hear address.
es from Mr.. Moore and Representa-
tive Towner, of Iowa, incident u the
anniversary of the adoption OF the
Federal Constitution. The celebration
was originally scheduled to take p!ar.
Wednesday, but was postponed he.
cause of the Pershing parade.
Both orators were heartily ap-
plauded, the special tribute being paid
to Mr. Moore because of the fac:
that it was the Virginan's maiden
speech. AT the conclusion Of il Miner
ity Leader Kitchin declared that j,
was zone of the most interesting, IL
structive and elegant speeches | ever
heard in the House. SO far as / can
recall Moore is the only new mem-
her since | have been in Congress whc
brought the entire House to its feet in
applause and approval at the conclu-
SIGN of an address"
Mr.. Moore stated at the outset that
IS the Governor of Virginia had ask
FL the people of the State to observe
.he anniversary cf the signing g
the Constitution. he would in his re-
marks outline the part played h.!
Virginia in the adoption Of the Con
<eitution. He then werE step BY step
TO show how Washington and his f
'cwers realized the weakness and in
adequacy of the confederation; hcw
the confederation failed after the re-
volution; how at W.ashington's sug-
irestion. the Annapolis meeting was
;alled ard how Virginia was the frs.
State to accept the recommendation
Of that meeting and appoint dc
.atps tc the Philadelphia conventiC:
"The Light began 10 break" Mr.
Moore said" when all Of the Stats
but enc had followed the lead of Vir-
ginia.'
He went on to show that the docu-
mcnt drafted by the Philadelphia cGf
vcnt:cn encountered fierce critic
and was in grave danger of beine
wrecked. But the action of Virgin :
was pivotal and decisive. Her rat;fi-
cation led to similar action by other
commonwcalths.
The orator called the roll of gree
men who sat in the Philadelphia con-
vcntion and described the proceedings
as battle of giants. He discussed the
attitude of Patrick Henry. James
Madison ard other leaders in the de.
bates.
"Evcryth;ng had depended upcr
Virginia" he said. "New York hac
locked 10 her and New York and Viz
-inia having acted. II States ratified
the instrument. The darkness wa'
gone and the country stocd in thu
li~ht cf a rev day"
In conclusion Mr.. Moore grouped t!
gethcr the great statesmen of th'
revolutionary psricd, who were iden
tif;na with his own District of Nir
p;p:a. He mentioned Washington
Madison, Marshall, Mason and Men
roe. The speech was frequently ap
ulauded, but at no point was tn
cheering more pronounced than whel
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