Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-26
word for Colonel O'Forrnlr.


Please allow a constant reader OF your
valuable paper space to cay few words In
commentator OF Colonel Charles 7. OFFER.
rsl, who il now a candidate for the guber-
material nomination on the Democratic
ticket Colonel O'Ferral lives in Harrison.
burg, ia the Valley OF Virginia, in that part
known as the Tenth Legion OF Democracy
which, until Reimbursement sprung up, was
& perfect Gibraltar OF Democracy. In 1879
Readjustment triumphed there. In lSsO
John Paul, the Rssdjuster candidate, was
elected bv A large majority 10 Congress from
that district. In 1851 Cameron, the Resd-
juster candidate for Governor, swept II, In
1882 everything looked dark for DE.
mocracy 10 this former stronghold. John T..
Harris, who had represented the district for
five consecutive terms declined TO run.
Paul had BEEN renOminated. ana with ms
hOnors Of two wears before fresh upon his
brow looked forward to another victory.
Whom shall we nominate against him: was
the CRY Of the Democrats Of the Tenth Legion
when they met In convention. After look
ing over the field O'Ferrall was nominated,
and then followed the ferccst contest that
has ever taken place perhaps in Virginia.
O'Ferrall proved 10 be the David who slew
the Goliath. John Paul WAS regarded as
such. In 1884, 1ssG, and in ISIS O'Ferrail
was nominated by acclamaliOn and elected
each time. the lest time by all unpTe-
cedented majority OF three thousand. IN
1888 the Democratic party reOrganiZed at
Lynchburg by the election OF the Hon. John
:. Barbour as chairman Of the State Com
mittee, and with courage and resolution put
themselve. in line to redeem the state. The
Southwest and that portion bordering on
the North Carolina line above Danyiile were
made tie battle-ground. OFerrall was
sent into these sections aud for three months
he remained there. meeting on tue stump
every opponent that appeared The State
was redeemed, and 10 his efforts IN that d.
rectiOn was largely due the result. In 1884,
1850. 1856. and 1887 be again clnyassed the
greater part Of the State, being confined
PRINCIPALLY by the State Committee to the
doubtful counties aud retained there until
the people Of his own section actually
complained aud demanded his return 10
them Now let Us turn for moment TO his
services to Virginia aud the South IN the
dark days OF 1861. when the war cloud
rolled over our happy and prosperous homes
and Virginia needed soldiers 10 drive back
the invading host. lie volunteered at once
as private m the Confederate cavalry, and
through many adventures aud halr.bread!h
escapes aud gallant actions be fought his
way from private to sergeant, from sergeant
10 lieutenant, lieutenant 10 captain, and
then 10 the majority, and hually to tue coiO-
nelcy OF his regiment and this, TOO, before n
had reached bis tWenty-thrd year. lie was
wounded many times-in the arm and
shoulder at Poolesvile, Nd, during The
Sbarp>burg campsigD. At UpperNlle.
Fauquier county, in June. 1863, In Stusrps
hand-to- hand fsh with Fitzpatrick he was
shOt'thrOugh the lungs while gaantly ead-
INK charge. and was Left FOR dead on the
field. HIS death was announced IN the
papers and Colonel O'Ferrail had the plea
sure OF reading bis own obituary. His record
and aulecedeuts give hlm peculiar strength.
Ills record on the tpi1, the iObaccO-taX re-
peal, aud the educational bill, his support u
the oleomargarlue bill, hls advocacy in Con-
grcss Of all that tended 10 the elevation OF
agriculture, and for the benefit OF the labor
ing classes aIe endorsed by tue great Demo-
cratic masses o! Virginia. Among t1e gentle
men mentioned a. possible candidates there
j. none That would make more active or
vigorous canvass or that would better
present or more ably defend the truths
and doctrines OF Democracy thsn Charles
+. O'Fcrrall. As a speaker and writer
he has won reputation that places
mm in the front rank OF statesmen. HIS ser
vices in behalf Of bis pqrty IN the past are
sufficient to cutitle nm 10 The support Of
every true Democrat. lie is n man that Will
csil things by their right namrS, man that
Will denounce treason and demagOguery in
such language a. will awaken everlasting
hslred and contempt for It m the breast OF
every honest man and cause the blush OF
shame and disgrace 10 mantle the checks o.
the traitor and demseoeue. With OFcr-
rail- IS the Democratic standard-beaTer We
tory will most assurcdiy be ours and our
proud old State bod Der plsce securely IN
the Democratic column. ASHER.