The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-02

the hills overlooking the city, "but 20
out of Office without regret I return to
private life with the knowledge that I
have done my duty according ~ my CON
science. have no apologies TO make for
the course / have pursued
Nor any regrets?'
'And no regrets" echoed the governor
"If had the last -four years. and espe-
cially the last yeal, to live over again,
should not deviate n hairs breadth from
the path have followed"
"Did you reach your decision rot to
support Bryan suddenly, or after mature
deliberation," asked him.
Gas n matter of fact" replied the GOV
ernor, looking far away over the wooded
hills to the horizon beyond. and evidently
recalling moment of much mental
strife, 1T was the hardest struggle OF my
life. In cndcavoriog to make up my
mind what course to pursue | was torn
by conflicting emotions. | had been II
Democrat all my life. had never voted
for any other than a Democrat I did
not vote for Horace Greeley. All the
honors heaped upon me by the people
had come through Democratic votes. 1t
was severe struggled could not have
been more painful than parting with II
dear friend. And yet. when l finally
CtSdC'i my L Qlu nOU TURN
my face backwards. l do not now. I
remember" said the governor, in mus
Ing tone, 'when went inro the war for
the Confederacy. My county was Union.
In my town only two men went into the
Southern army, and was one of those
men. felt it to re my duty TO stand by
my State and the PRINCIPLES which the
Confederacy represented, though by so
doing surrendered the Office | held, and
which exempted ME from military SER
vice. | was ostracsed and lost every
thing, except my life. | think, " he adj
ded, that it was something of the same
spirit which came over me last fall"
But you do not agree with our critics
that You are no longer Democrat?''
II am now au have always been Dem
ocrat, said Governor O'Ferrnll, moving
his chair to get the benefit of the way
ward breeze. ''As said n moment ago,
have never, in any election, cast my
ballot for any candidate who was not a
Democrat. declined to vote for Horace
Greeley because he was not Democrat
ana the platform was not Democratic, 1t
Deing the same rs the platform of the lib
eral Republican or Greeley party. In
that election [ refrained from voting for
either Presidential candidate, both being
Republicans. With this exception, have
supported heartily and labored earnestly
for every candidate nominated for presi-
dent by the Democrat party urtil 1885,
THAT was national election and on
national issues" I suggested. "What
you did then may be different from what
You will do now. Will YOU suppoi t the
State ticket recently nominated at Roa-
noke."
Governor O'Ferrall's face grew firm
II shall speak frankly and without re-
serve, since you have asked me the 6 ues-
:ion," he replied. 81 have no conceal
memts. | answer you emphatically that
Will not vote for the nominees Of the
Roanoke convention, unless there is dan
ger Of Republican success. In that case,
added the governor, ~ would have to
shnt my eyes and not.see the platform or
swallow it and throw it OIL as soon as
possible. ] fear Republicanism and Pop
nlism in our State government too much
to withhold my support in case of Re
publican or Populisitic opposition to the
Roanoke ticket. do not say Democratic
ticket for it is not Democratic. Person.
ally. ike all the nominees. They are
good men. am sure that the candidates
for lieutenant governor and attorney
general have had ample evidence of my
warm personal regard for them"