Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-24
Govcrn.r O'FcrrnII's speech.

GOycrnJr O'FcrrniI's speech.
The appearance Of the Governor mad
been looked forward to with interest. ana
his speech was the feature Of the eve
ming. Ii was expected that he would eN-
plain why he had Joined the boitcrs, ana
he did so az some length. lie only called
Bryans name once, and at TINS theie
were LOUD cries of "Hurrah for Bfyani'
accompanied by cheering His criticisms
Of Bryan and the platform on which ne
stands were hissed. as was the allusion
10 the fact that MI Bryan Is alleged 10
have agreed 70 stump virginia for Cocke
IN 1882. Governor OFerralrs reference TO
the nomination OF a Confederate soldier on
national ticket was more generously
applaudcd than any other feature OF his
speech. The Governor said:
Ny Fellow Citizens. Ladies' and Gentle
men: ] greatly appreciate the honor just
done me | esteem II as high privilege
20 preside al a meeting composed, as this
is OF so many OF Nirginias stalwart
sons--a body so representative Of the
Intelligence worth. substance, bone. and
hrawn, and industrial and business in
torests Of this capital city OF this ancient
Commonwealth. Here in vast numbers Is
nearly every class Of my fellow-citiZens--
artisans mechanics. laborers, merchants
bankers. and professional men. and
farmers. too. all eager, anxious, impatient
10 hear the issues OF the pending political
campaign discussed. and 10 learn the
truth. l can see already by your bearing
that you are serious and thoughtful. and
that you want something more than ap-
pcals 20 your passion. the glamour Of
Oratory. the cry of the reckless partisan
or the shrek OF the time-serving dema-
gogue The issues involved are too grave
TO be treated lightly or passed over with
little concern. What is demanded now
Of every man who values the vital inte-
rests of his country, and loves his home,
and those whom God has given him, is
calm. earnest reflection.
SAYS HE Is A DEMOCRAT.
/ hatter myself 1 need not say TO any
Virginia audience that am a Democrat
yes. % Democrat in every bone and sinew
OF my body, every sentiment and emotion
of my soul. From 1869 TO 1894. when ]
entered upon the discharge OF the duties
Of my present position-a period OF TWEEN
ty-five years. have participated actively
I'm every campaign in which my party
has been engaged. ! have never cast
ballot for any man who was not a
Democrat for any office from constable
TO President Democratic principles have
been cherished by me next TO my re-
ligious faith In secular matters j have
held only my country above party, and
1 have always felt that my cDuntry's
welfare was blended with Democratic sue
cess. and so great has been my conf
dcnco in its leadership that ! have been
almost ready TO follow my party blind
folded. But, unfortunately i find now
that the party has fallen upon evil times,
and that its accredited representatives in
national convention assembled have for
saken the faith and departed from the
lighted ways of the fathers and em-
braced the wild vagaries OF Popullsm ana
even more dangerous hcresies. Win
these facts staring me In the face and
"a conviction weighing me down that IT
the doctrines of the Chicago platform
prevail ruin and disaster viii come TO the
material interests of my country, mob
violence will be encouraged, the sanctlty
Of our courts, which is the safeguard OF
our liberties. destroyed. and the per
e.. ~
would, indeed be the yeriest slave IL
were 10 allow the ties Of party organiZa-
tion alone 10 bend me and lead me 10
the support OF such a platform.
My felloW-ctiZeus, the word 'Democrd-
Cy' is a synonym of equal privileges 10
an special faVOrs 10 none. human rights
and constitutional liberty. II is ~ glorious
word, and represents principles Whi'a
must live or this republic ust de ana
when cruel hands attempt TO strike them
down. patriotic arms must be barred i'm
their defence. ard when meaning men
i'm a Whirlwind of excitement by party
platform attempt 10 cast them aside, u
is the duty of the calm ana sober 10
cling to them. and uphold them until
heated partisanship shall cool and reason
assumes her sway
Democracy perish! Never while hearts
shall heat In the bosoms of such men as
Cleveland, Palmer. Buckner Villas, Wilson
Of West Virginia. Carlisle. Lindsay, Smith
of New Jersey, Caffery. Bragg. Herbert,
Whitney, Flower, Lamont. Walker. Jones
of Alabama, Bynum, Norton, and Oney,
and host of others. who are this day
standing by the traditions and principles
abandoned at Chicago.
FROM WHAT HAS HE BOLTED?
Democracy perishl Never, for While
many of our brethren have been seduced
from the faith. and are wandering in the
wilderness Of Populism, and following
strange gods | trust and believe the
scales viii soon fall from their eyes, and
they will return and renew their al
legiance TO the principles enunciated by
tho immortal founder of Democracy.
Some Of them are very extreme now IN
their views, and even 20 so far In their
blindness az TO charge me with being
bolter. Boltedi From what have bolted?
From principles? No; for / stand on the
national Democratic platform of 1872 ana
the State Democratic platform OF 1875,
and endorse every plank in every Demo
cratic platform adopted since ! arrived
al manhood. All but you have boited the
Chicago platform and ticket. say they.
| reply. III / appoint an agent TO buy me
a steamer and he buys me schooner.
] am not bound in morals or law 10
take the schooner. If ] appoint an agent
10 buy me bread. and he buys me poison.
1 am not bound 10 take the poison. II
delegates are sent to a Democratic con-
VcntiOn TO nominate Democrat Tor
President and adopt "A Democratic plat
form. and they nominate a Republican.
Populist, or PrOhioitiOnist, and adopt
Republican. Populist. or Prohibition plat
form, there is no rule of ethics which
requires me TO vote the ticket or en-
dOrSe the platform, and II | decline | am
no party bolter. But suppose, for the
sake Of argument ! am a bolter techni-
cally. then ] ask again what nave
bolted? Party principles? No; but party
organiZation How do the delegates TO
the Chicago convention stand? They
stand out in bold relief as boilers or
Democratic principles. Which or us oc-
cupies the more enYiable positiOn2 When
/ am forced TO choose between the two
positions. there will never be any ques-
zion as 10 my choice. | will cling TO my
principles and tear loose from the organi-
Zation which seeks TO strip me OF them,
and so will every man who cherlshes MS
principles, has the courage OF his con-
victions. and possesses true manhood.
Suppose during the war a majority OF the
Confederate army had determined TO go
over 10 the enemy. would the minority
have been bound 10 20 with them? Which
would have been the "boltcrs"? Those
who marched over and took their position
under the Stars and stripes or those VINO
raised up the fOrsaken flag OF the South
and remained musket in hand under the
Stars and Bars?
HE QUOTES BRYAN's WORDS.
Populism has been as much an enemy
to Democracy as ReDubiicanism l nave
abhorrej the one and despised the olneI.
/ still shrink from the one ana de,Sal
the Otner 1T thc supporters VI tiN
cago ticket condemn me. they shouid ~
once withdraw their nominee for freSi-
dent. for no longer than last February ne
proclaimed that II the Chicago convention
did not declare for free silver he wouIu
not support the ticket. Listen 10 Whal
he said: -.
let there be no mistake. Men VINO
honestly differ upon the paramount quSa-
tions cannot afford 10 be harmonlEed Ds
national convention. Mr.. Cleveiald
would not support the free-silNer candl-
date for the presidency. and he should
not do so II he really believes that free