ur governor, let us have neither
subterfuge nor slander. Better than the love of party is the love of
honesty--and the Democracy of Jefferson cannot thrive upon falsehood.
Fair means are the only means, honest ends are the only ends. The party
owes its right to existence to the people's will; when its life must be
prolonged by artificial stimulants it is fit that it should die. It is
not the people's master, but the people's servant; if it should usurp
the oppressor's place, it must die the oppressor's death.

"For fifteen years I have worked a Democrat among you, and it is not
needed that I should put in words my love for the party I have served;
but I say to you to-day that if that party were doomed to annihilation
and a lie could save it, I would not speak it."

He sat down and the uproar began again. Beyond the party were the
people, and he had touched them. With the force of his personality upon
it he had become suddenly the hero of the house. "Honest Nick! Honest
Nick!" shouted the galleries, and the cry was echoed from the pit. When
order was restored Major Baylor completed his speech; it was seconded by
a sensible young congressman, and the oratory was cut short by a call
for votes.

In a flash the chairmen of the different delegations were stung into
action. A buzz like that of bees swarming rose from the pit and white
slips of paper fluttered from row to row. The Webb leaders were
whipping their faction into an enthusiasm that drowned the roll call. At
last, with the reading of the ballot, there was silence, followed by
applause. Webb led slightly in advance of Crutchfield; Burr came next,
Hartley last. With the surprise of the third name, round which there had
been a rally of uninstructed delegations, a cheer went up. In the
clamour Burr had risen to ask that his name be withdrawn, but the chorus
of his newly formed followers howled him down. Then Hartley was dropped
from the race and a second ballot ordered. The excitement in the
building could be felt like steam. The heat was rising and a nervous
tension weighted the atmosphere. Through the clouds of tobacco smoke the
records of changes sounded distinctly. The Hartley delegation that Webb
had counted on divided and went two ways; the county of Albemarle passed
over to Burr; the city of Richmond broke its vote into three equal
parts.

Each change was received with a roar by the opposing factions--while the
clerks stumbled on, making alteration upon alter