Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-06-23
Mr.. Alexander's Reply to Colonel
O'FerTall.
June Is, 1898
10 Me Ediior Of The RiohmOnd Dispatch:

the charge THAT ran for Congress as an
independent candidate IN 1874, this is
false" when drew the proof on him he
admits the charge 10 be true, and bis denial
Of June 81 to be .fal'e. Falsas in ano
fqISas omnibus
be was an Independent candidate for
Congress again in LA against the reg
ular democratic nominee and from Au-
gust l, 1874, until tho Goth Of October,
1874, again.
Nor does he deny the other charges in
nv lette--snch as his betrayal Of con-
fdeace. causing me to withdraw from the
congressional contest last year.
Abandoning the issues he made him.
self, he seeks 10 hide behind and draw
attention TO side issues which are equally
as false. Let me say / have never az any
time made any charge against O'Ferrall
which was not done over my signature
The articles signed "a Democrat" were
declared to be written by me in the same
paper in which was printed two weeks be-
fore Col. O'Ferrall's first card. "Hayseed
Democrat" was never denied. and the edl'
tor of the paper was directed to give my
name to any one who applied.
In none of these articles. heweYer, are
there charges against O'Ferrall. 1t Il
true quoted part OF that speech OF his
we have been hearing for twelve or four-
teen years, including part OF Senator
Yance's speech on the tariff published
eighteen or twenty years ago. No one
knows better than Col. OFerrall that his
charge Il at attacked him anonymously
IS a base. wilful falsehoOd.
However unsayory Colonel OFerralFs
private record may or may not be, 1
Lave never attacked it but confined my
exposition to his political record. While
PRIOR to 1891 l had heard that he had
once run as an Independent candidate lot
Congress, I knew nothing about the
particulars and did not cOndOae his polit-
zeal crimes. He did not live IN our dis
trict. Ny confidential letters were
written him in his interest, referring to
how inlividnals stood to him, how they
were acting, how to get delegates for him
and secdre his nomination, and who were
his friends and could throw no light
whatever upon the truth or falslty OF the
charges subsequently made against has
po1ificql record, and the only object he
coull have had and the only effect OF
publishing them was 10 cause ill-ieeling
between some of my fellOw-townsmen
and myself. Ii was base and inexcus-
able piece OF treachery to friendship.
Ne admits "they we're received by me
(him) IN the confidence of friendship"
trusting TO his honor that their contents
should never be disclosed. The betrayal
of confidence Is dishonOrable and no hon
orable man could be induced by per-
suasion. threat, or force to do a dlshon-
Orablc act.
He further states that the canse of my
causing to he his friend was "because he
declined to recommend me for United
States District Attorney, etc" Colonel
O'Ferrall ka0rs that this is rot true.
Parts of the Confidential letters of mine
published, and others in his possession,
show never made application fer the
office. Nv friends were urging me to apply
and | wrote him that before ] decided
whether l would apply or not l wanted
to know if he was committed. Colonel
.OFerrall knows that have IN my pos
session proof of these facts, as well az
the facts that he was committed to Cap
tain Baumgardrer Of Stanton, and at
that time was advising me 10 press my
candidacy for the Office H. knows that
while he said lie was satisfied | would
7, fleet credit upon the position, that |
can prove that | never applied for the
Office. but that he voted fer Judge Allen,
who never asked his support or endorse
meut. descrtiug Captain BaumglTdner.
Colonel OFerlall knows that | never
complained or bad canse to complain for
his not endorsing me for United States
District Attorney. or any other Office. lie
does know, however. that lost confidence
in and never had anything to do with
hun after be violated his oftrepeated
promises I'm regard 10 Nr. John X. Ell
wards anil Nr j. w. Tayl1r who lived in
this city. and when discovered the canse
of the breaking Of the promises, my want
Of confidence turned to contempt. Col.
O'Ferrall seems 70 think that the question
asked IN one Of my cords Of last year,
"lYas his name pms on the Grant ticket
with his knowledge and consent p WAS a
charge that il was pat there, and that his
statement chat whatsoever charges that
il was put there with his knowledge and
consent utters a blsc. wiliul, wicked, and
malicious fl'srh0od, I,!ieves him OF all
responsibility and Is shelter under
which he can rest. Let me say If priority
is what Che colonel relias on, that on
Nan l3, 1872, 7 wrote Colonel O'Ferrall a
letter. aud about one week later publish
Cd it. 10 reply to q published card by him
charging combination ] = General Ross
AMI mysclfin Washington city 70 defeat
him for Congress, in which letter said
chat the person who intlmates that in
that converse non or at any other time !
made any combination with General
',osscr is guilty Of a malicious fatsehood.Y
Agoin. on July 4, 1892 in a published
card over my signature, circulated
througi ont the district, | branded O'ter-
rail- as dishonest IN announcing political
he al not entertain aud that
he had been traitor 10 his party and
rs PRINCIPLES and would be so again; In
other words, that be had sold his political
to crafty his selfish ambition
and would do so again il the opportunity |
offered.
Colonel O'Feriall never either demand
"a a refrdciiOp or satisfaction. Alter that
,ould any gentleman be lnsulted by any
thing Colonel O'Ferrall might either |
sneak or writei
Aitera careful review OF the charges |
made against Colonel O'Ferrall in my |
etters 1t will he seen that he has been |
orced sooner or later to admit each Of
hem, or at least rot deny them. As to |
nv statements made in this letter the
roof for them is in my possession or
where it can be produced, Much m
necessary trouble and worry would have
,een saved if Colonel O'Ferrall in the
irst place had simply wrtten, every
barge against me is true aud am sorry
or H." Thaf has been the result.
| am not a candidate for any Office, and
ever expect to he. What have lone
as been as private citizen in the m
erests Of nv state and its honor, stating
nlv facts within my kno Wedge an eS-
ressing my honest convictions, unmasb-
~ this man, so that the patriotic cit'z ms
f this state may sac, rs baoW the facts
D be. and determine whether they desire
r not snoh a man as their Chief Execu-
We. Respectfully,
WILLIAM K. ALEXANDER.
he Populists TO Make a Strong
Anti-Cleveland Fight.
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