Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-04
DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL
COMMITTEE MEETS

Central committee laSC efeilIHS CIV
waited Senator Harry Flood Byrd, OF
WINCHESTER, to the craftsmanship OF
the Democratic party in the state.
Secretary j. n. Brenaman called the
Committee to order, explained the
purpose of the meeting and called the
Hon. j. NJ. Hooker, Representative
from the Fifth Congressional District,
to the chair. The hall was filled with
women. A feature Of the meeting was
the handsome tribute paid to the
memory of the late Henry D. Flood,
Representative from the Tenth DIS
trict and State Democratic Chairman,
by George C. Peery, Of Tazewell, at
the conclusion of which the committee
rose and stood as further demon
stration of it's respect and regard.
The speech of acceptance on the
part of Senator Harry /. Byrd, the
new State Chairman, was regarded cs
those fortunate enough to hear 1T, as
classic of its kind. The Senator from
Winchester acknowledged the deep
sense of responsibility which he re-
ceived with the investment of office,
and pledged his best efforts for the
benefit of the party and to the best
interests of the Commonwealth.
He said:
t'My selection as your Chairman IS
an honor that | appreciate the more
because it comes to me unsolicited and
with unanimous voice.
"Your confidence imposes upon me
a real burden of diligent service, but
it is a burden that under the ciicum-
stances | do not feel that l can de-
cline. | feel that in sense you are
asking me to take up the unfinished
work of my beloved and honored uncle,
who gave lifetime of unstinted de-
votion and fruitful labor to the cause
of Democracy.
eve all realize that Government by
party is political necessity and it
is our conviction that the Democratic
Party is the most deserving repository
of political power. 1t deserves power
because whenever bestowed it has
never been abused. Both in State and
Nation, Democratic rule is based upon
the conception that everywhere and
IS to all human beings, rights and
duties are equal in their obligations.
We must bear in mind that the great
Democratic victory of last November
means that the white people of Nir-
GINA approve of the record Of the
Democratic Party and have confidence
in its future usefulness. We must not
sit still, with this vigorous people
life means growth, development, the
continued adjustment to new condi-
tons, the constantly nearer approx
nation of those ideals, which translat-
ed into facts, means Health, Happin-
ess, Enlightment and Prosperity for
all the people.
| cannot express to you these ideals
in becoming words because my train
ing has been with the practical things
of life, yet ideals can only be realized
by concrete achievement. The full
fillment of Democratic ideals in Nir-
ginia means better roads built more
economically and under a better sys-
tenn, better schools taught by men and
women enjoying an adequate wage,
the enforcement Of the laws of the
Commonwealth, more equitable tax
laws, more efficient coordination Of
the State departments and greater
prudence in the expenditure Of pub
lie funds. These are the tasks laid by
the people upon the General Assem-
bly, and this administration.
GAS the official representatives of |
organized Democracy, your aid and
council will be invaluable. In thank
ing you for this honor want you to
know that do not regard the Chair
manship of the Democratic Party of
the State of Virginia as a mere per-
sonal decoration, but rather as a COM
pledge to you all of my energy and
such ability as possess, to, with your
aid, keep this organization living
and virile thing, the guardian and de-
fender of Democratic principles, the
guarantor of continued Democratic |
success and the faithful servant OF the |
people Of this Commonwealth"
The resolutions unanimously adopt
ed BY rising vote of the committee, |
read as follows:
WHEREAS, Henry Delaware Flood. |
in the beginning of his political ca
reers enlisted in the cause Of demo
crac!' and Joined III the long and bitter
fight. of rcdccming Virginia from the
thradom of misrule which was fast
encd on the State and became en-
trenched in power in the early DAYS
following the Civil War. stirling, pro
gress and threatening our very civil
zation. and
WHEREAS, by his courage, untir;ng
efforts and wise leadership in party
councils and iE his work in our Legs
latuleS and as member OF the Con
stitutional Convention OF 1901 he
stood foremost among these who re-
deemed the State from rum and shame
and made possible our present era of
prosperity, and
WHEREAS, when his statcmanship
found broader field in the Congress
of the nation, he never relaxed his
interest in the affairs of his State
either in matters CT legislation OF
the political activities of his party,
and by common consent was recopniZ-
ed as virtual leader OF Nirrin!a's
democracy before being chosen as
Chairman of the party in 1921, ard
WHEREAS. As chairman Of the
Democratic party IN 1921, although
serving at the same time as chairman
OF the national Congressional commit