The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-03
PATTY INTOLERANCE.

The washington Post in making edito-
rial reference TO its recent interVle"
with Governor OFerran says:
II Mr.. O'Ferrall thought that the Chi
cago Convention OF 1896 was not repre-
sentative Democratic body, he must nat
uralIv have the same opinion Of the Roa-
noke Convention Of 1897. Six and half
millions of Democratic voters appear 10
hal % disagreed with him, but that Is
neither here nor there The individual
must decide for himself in these matters,
and must decide according to his own con-
science and Judgment. Mr. OFerrall has
,proceeded within these lines. and now
announces the result. He cannot and will
not support the Democratic ticket In Nir-
ginia 1t comes under the same ban as
the Chicago tickle, Of last year. IT Is not
Democratic.
Nobody who knows Mr.. OFerrall will
question his sincerity I'm this. Whether
men see It as he does. or differently-and
most men. We think, will see II different
ly-al will concede that he is acting ac-
cording 10 his genuine convictions. Right
or wrong, he is at least honest and
straightforward.
The question with Governor O'Ferrall
and others who take the same stand IS
simply this: Shall n man follow blindly
the lead Of his party. regardless Of its
departure from its cardinal principles. or
shall he stand by his own convictions and
let the party wander? Shall he be
party man under all circumstances. or
| shall he be an Independent man, voting
as his conscience dictates and not as the
party dictates? That is tho simple ques-
ton which every man must decide for
| himself.
Governor O'Ferrail chooses TO think for
himself and TO act for himself and TO
stand by Democratic principles as he I'M
derstands them. rather than the party
organization which he believes has de-
parted from Democratic principles.
The Post says that those who know
him will not question his sincerity. In
this the Post Is wrong. Every sort of sell
fish motive has been imputed to him, and
not to him only but to other Democrats
who like himself refused to support the
Chicago platform. With strictly party
men there is no tolerance Of those who
act Independently. no forgi rness for
| those who refuse TO submit to the party
dlctum.
1t is sad commentary on American in
| dependence We boast Of our liberty of
! thought and action, and our fathers
fought against oppression. FOR free speech
and American manhood. These things
| lie at the very foundation of the Demo
cratic party. and yet all those who to-
| day compose the Chicago organization
have no sort OF tolerance for any man
who claims TO be Democrat and who
yet has the temerity TO assert his indie
| pendence. when I'm his opinion the party
| forsakes its principles
This tolerance is a powerful influence
and party ties are strong. but that has
| nothing TO do with the question. This
is an age OF individualism, and each and
every man must be responsible for his
own acts. political or otherwise He can
not shift his own responsibilities upon
the shoulders OF his party. With the
lights before him, he must vote as his
conscience dictates, regardless OF party
influence, regardless OF party ties. re-
CARELESS OF the party lash and regardless
OF all consequences.