Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-08-12
CANDIDATE STIRRED
BY WARM GREETING
PREPARED FOR HIM
Like Giant of Ancient Tale,
He Says, Neighbors Give
.,
Him Strength to Fight

HARRISBURG, w. Va, Aug. 10.
John w. Davis was back home to-
night to receive official notification
of his nomination as the Democratic
presidential candidate and to seek
from his friends and neighbors
strength and encouragement for the
task that lies ahead.
Crossing the West Virginia line
Saturday from New York, he had
his first welcome at Grafton, his
official reception, in the place where
he was born, and his second hons.
coming tonight at Fairmont, the
rock of his early political strength
and the home Of his field marshal,
Glenn L. Shaver.
Addressing his friends and neigh.
bors from the veranda of his old
home, Mr.. Davis assured them that
it was neither by accident, nor by
caprice nor without forethought
that in the crisis of his life he had
returned home for strength, for sym
pathy, for encouragement and for
support.
"In the presence of this welcome.
in sight of these familiar faces, my
heart goes out Of me-" he said. 81
must wait to speak until it comes
back.
Old Faces Hearten Him
"There is an old fable of the myth
illogical giant, the son of Mother
Earth, whose strength was as the
strength of ten when on the earth
Lifted above the earth, his power
fell from him and it did not return
until once more he had reached the
earth.
"Such is the sentiment that In.
spires me now.
1T is not by accident, nor by mere
caprice, nor without thought that
at this crisis in my life l have come
back here for strength, for sympa-
thy, for encouragement and for sup
port.
Your presence and in such great
numbers and with such smiling faces
assures me that l have not come
in vain. L shall leave you strength,
ened and heartened for the heavy
task that lies ahead.
1T is not easy to transplant tree
that has had from forty to fifty
years Of growth. 1t is not possible
to transplant memories, traditions
and friendships that have come to
one who lived forty-five years in a
single spot.
Although fate has made me
wanderer here and there over the
earth, you, not I, are responsible for
that. You, fourteen years ago, called
me from the practice here ! was en-
joying and made me that wanderer
on the face of the earth. But / have
never cut the ties Of affection that
bind me to Clarksburg, to West Viz,
ginia, and their citizens. Never, even
in thought or speech, has home
meant anything other than this spot
Welcomed at Birthplace
Forgive me if L say no more. Out
of the fullness of the heart the mouth
may wish to speak without finding
thank you for this welcome. We
bow before you in gratitude and our
hearts are very full"
Before his official reception here,
Mr.. Davis was welcomed informally
at Grafton, the first stop of his train
IN West Virginia. Mounting a bag
joy at being upon native soil again
and his appreciation of the welcome
extended to him and to Mrs. Davis.
This evening he made a 30-mile trip
to Fairmont to greet his supporters
there who have stood Loyalty by him
in all his political adventures. Speak.
ing at the home of Mr.. Shaver, the
nominee declared that while he could
not recall the first time he came to
Fairmont that when he came to
count his friends the numbers did
not decrease when he got over the
Harrison county line.
After he had recalled by name a
number of West Virginians who had
had part in shaping his early po-
litical career, Mr.. Davis apologized
for dropping into "reminiscences.
''It is enough for me to say" he
declared, chow / rejoice to be with
you again and how sincere is my
gratitude for this evidence of syour
friendship and good will. A heavy
task has fallen to my lot. You will
not be surprised that, when / looked
about for aid in performing it, my
mind turned first of all to- West Vir-
GINA. / was not long in finding
there the man ] needed. L came to
Marion county and drafted your fell
low-townsman and my friend, Glenn
Shaver as field marshal. We ja
West Virginia know his political wis
dom and sagsicity We know, too,
his loyalty, integrity and courage.
and before long, the Democracy OF
the United States will join us in our
high estimate Of him as a citizen
and as man. @
Thousands sine Streets
"And. So in the name of old
friendship. ! offer you my gratitude
for all that your SUPP ort has meant
to me in the days that are gone,
and my thanks for this evidence
that YOU will not deny it to me in
the days that are to come"
Reaching '~" ksburg early in the
day. Mr.. Davis was greeted by
hundreds at the railroad station
and thousands that lined the streets
leading 10 his home One of the
first sights as he stepped from his
car was the West Virginia standard
used in the New York national con-
vention. After the station reception
had ended. this standard had its
place in line with the national.
state and town flags.
Immediately the procession got
under way. Mr.. Davis car was sur
rounded by cheering crowd. and
il was only with difficulty that il
was able TO make its way. His head
barred, the candidate stood in the
tonnesu smiling and waving in re