The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-19

COLONEL TAZEWELL ELLETr.
GENTS almost equivalent to the preser-
vation OF the autonomy of the State Wa
cannot afford TO permit a disintogration
of the party simply because we are nor
permitted to have our own way. am
ready to support any good Democrat that
may be nominated, rather than aid In the
elsctlQn OF Mckinley. II is not necessary
f0r- me TO shumerate the reasons l have
for making this declaration. They arc
apparent TO all good Democrats and ap-
peal TO them as strongly as they do TO
me. II the sound-money men win at
Chicago. then we will be as earnest in
urging the silver men 20 stand by the
ticket as they can possibly be in asking
our support for the ticket they hope to
nominate.
BOW TO WILL OF MAJORITY.
Il therefore deprccate the tendency OF
the sound-money men OF Richmond and
OF the Third District 90 hold aloof from
matters political until they see what the
national convention is going to do. \
proper interest IN the State should cause
them 10 DO what they can 10 prevent tho
adoption OF a silver platform at Chicago.
II necessary, but in the event Of failure.
II they are Democrats. they Will
bow 10 the will OF the ma
jorty for the sake OF unity and har-
mony in the p;Qty In the State. Should
the Chicago convention declare for silver.
Il will not be the first time that loyal
Democrats I'm Virginia have had 10 sup
port men and measures they did not
ike. We voted for Horace Greeley. and
did our best 10 elect him. ! was myself
opposed to the nomination Of Cleveland.
and did what | could to secure the nomi-
nation Of Hill. but when Cleveland was
nominated | took off my coat and went
10 work for>his election. | venture 10
saw that Mr.. Cleveland had not In tho
state a more loyal supporter fhan i was
after he had been selected by the con-
vontlon as the party standard-bearer.
..Nor were the anti-Cleveland men In
virginia alone IN reing CALLED upon 10
support a candidate they did not IKE.
The nomination or Mr. Cleveland was
forced upon the seventy-two delegates
from New York. against the protest or
every one OF them. But there was nos
a Democrat in New York that sulked.
Every one OF the men who bad been
first last. and all the time Tor Hill, went
20 work for Cleveland with "A degree
OF spirt and energy that carried tho
state and placed Mr.. Cleveland for 4
second time in the white House
"It will probably be urged that there Is
m analogy between the present situa-
tion and those which have formerly ex-
isted 1 cannot. however, agree with
such a proposition.
so far as Virginia is concerned. tho
cases are identical, because IN each IN
stance the supremacy Of the party IN the
State has depended upon united action
"If we are 10 declare I'm advance thar
we will not support the Democratic nomi-
nee il he is nominated upon a silver plat
form. the silver men Will certainly DO
justified In assuming a similar attitude
In case the platform is for sound money.
N therefore seems TO be clear TO me that
the duty OF Democrat is TO do bis nght-
ing before the convention assemblies. with
the assurance 10 the world that he VIII
remain "A Democrat after the convention
has concluded its labors. This Is my po-
sition. and ! wish my constituents 10 un-
derstand it,
HIS PRESENT ATTITUDE.
After reading the interview at length
Colonel Elicit said last night:
'~Ine ABOVE - the adyice tnat 1 gave
TO the Democrats or the Thnd district
last May whcn il was thought by many
that the gold men would control the
Cnlcago convention.
"My position as TO the duty OF a Demo-
crat is identical NOW with what II was
tnen. Nnat / advised others 10 do.
ssnan unluestionabiy do myself, and
heartily endorse Dotn the nominees and
the platform OF the Chicago Convention.
Il expect TO vote and earnestly work
for the success OF the Democratic ticket.
l believe now. a. then. that there are too
many vital interests OF Virginia and the
South dependent upon the success OF
the Dtmocratic party 10 permit me 10
waver In my adherence 10 It's principles
At this time.
II shall be "a candidate tor denomination
TO Congress this fall. II consistent With
the wishes OF a majority OF the Demo-
Gratis OF the Third district standing
souarely upon the Chicago platform. ane
earnest In the support OF the Democratic
| nomsnees.'