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

voted for the Populistic electors in 1892:
he accepted the Populist nomination for
united states Senator, and he did not
decline the enthusiastic and unanimous
nomination of the Populsts for Presi-
dent Certainly these things stamp him
rs Populist, and not as Democrat.
But, if this is not sufficient. | know he
Is Populist from ny own experience -
our cwn experienced
Yes, , said the governor. "He had
arranged to come into virginia when /
was iunning for governor and stump the
State in behalf of my Populist opponent.
| know this for fact, for went to him
about it. lie and I were in Congress Mt
the same time. For some reason he
thought better of his determination, and
did not come. 1t is Il fact, though, that
the Populists OF Nebraska requested him
to canvass Virginia for the Populist
nominee for governor, -und the populist
State chairman visited him in Washing.
ton. and had an interview with him on
the subject 1t is also n fact that prom
lnent Populist i'll conference with Repub.
lican leaders in this State, Stated that Mr..
Bryan was to canvass Virginia tor the
Populist ticket. 1t goes without saying
that the Popuists o. Nebraska would
never have made their request nor would
the Populist chairman have ever ven
t'ircd to visit him as he did, if Bryan's
Democracy had been beyond doubt or if
they han not regarded HIM as in full SYM
patty with them.
ANY one who remembers the cam
paign which preceded my election
added Governor O'Ferrall, knows how
every Democratic stumper in the Suite
Joined with me in condemnation of Pop
ulism. Isn't it rather funny" said the
Al
men who are nov abusing me ARE the
men who are standing cheek by jowl and
shoulder to shoulder with the Populist
whom they then denounced?"
a suggestion to the governor that he
had received more abuse than generally
falls to the share CT one man led him to
speak of this feature of his experience
20, yes" he said, with the same indi fer
euce that he manifested in lighting
a fresh cigar, II have been criticised with
out mercy and condemned beyond meas
IRE by partisan speakers and partisan
press. have been called Judas Iscariot,
n trutor,a deserter, and every other kind
of epithet has been applied. Advantage
has been taken of my position to hurl
anathemas at my head by men whose pri.
rate lives are not above reproach, whose
personal courage has been discounted.
and whose voices have been potential sim
ply because they were for free silver and
Bryan. am willing" said the govern
nor, with wave of his hand, "to let
them enjoy the fame which they acquired
in abusing me. They say--that Il not a
Dem ocrat-I, who never cast anything
but Democratic ballot in my life! And
yet they call Bryan, with his undemo-
Garlic acts, Democrat par excellence"
And AS Governor O'Ferrall made the
contrast he uttered sound which was
very much like "boshn'
1.-THE criticism does not seem to have
shaken your position
~ am as firm to-day as ever" was the
reply, uttered with sincerity and heart
mess that admitted of no doubt. land
am glad to say that c-abuse of reckless
men to which have been subjected has
fallen harmless at my feet l have smiled
Mt Their antics, laughed at their ..follies,
and Ditied therl in their delirum.
Through life have had the courage of
my convictions. Even the. most extreme
Bryanite will hardly charge me, when 4
took MY position with seeking popular
ity. | was satisfied | would he in the
minority. If had aspiration knew full
we'll that | WAS blasting every hore. My
Judgment led me to my conclusion and
my conscience dictated my course have
nv iFSIS1S. HHNe HO hpOlOEleS 10 make.
My party has greatly ..honored me, and
have served it in season and out of season
for more than n quarter of n century with
zeal and fidelity. When it returns to it's
faith and discar1s Populism and .all it's
dangerous fallaces will serve it again
with equal zeal and fidelity. Until then
shall preserve my consistency, adhere TO
nv principles, and keep inviolate my
faith by casting my ballot for II Democrat
who has never strayed into the Populist
or Republican camp or followed false
teachings. If cannot do this will re-
frain from voting"
Then if the next national convention
should renominate Bryan on similar
platform to that of 1895 yol: would again
refuse to support him.
Certainly"
And the fact that a convention might
adopt certain kind VI n platform would
have no Influence with you?''
Net if the convention should tleuart
from Democratic lines, rs it did ut Chi
cago. shall never give my support TO
a monetary system which believe would
bring wreck and ruin to the business in
terests of this country, unsetti, values
drive out capital, stab labor, and injure
beyond measure the agrculturst. / will
never support tariff plank that does not