The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-14

c. Walker. who was then Governor OF
Virginia, and when we reached Wood
stock. he was asked to take part in
discussion. but declined, as he did
wherever we went. The committee
waited upon me and insisted that /
should meet representatives of the op-
posing party and with boyish ardor
and without much OF thought, l con-
scented so to do. I was then told that
had to meet single handed and alono
the late Judge Fultz, OF Staunton, and
Colonel Early, of Charlottesville. both
Of mature years and with regulations
won at the bar and on the bench
The platform had been erected in
the open, and about II was gathered
an acre OF people, as l recall. nine out
of ten being Democrats. In such pres
ence ! felt At home. and had no fear
of results led off in half an
hour. was followed by the two gentle
men, and closed in an hour And 1t
VAS fun from start to finish. Failure
was simply impossible when backed
by an army of stalwart Democrats. L
perhaps did not treat the old gentle
men With such courtesy as they de-
served, but, having learned that all Is
fair in war and politics. l gave cour-
tesy to The wind. AT the close of the
discussion, | was escorted 10 my hotel.
4 band in front and perhaps 1000 peo-
pie in column. During the afternoon.
walters of flowers came in from the
ladies of the town, and after nightfall
| was screnadcd and made another
speech from the portico. went to
bed that night satisfied that my for
tune had been made and my future Sc
cured. Time. however. revealed the
sad fact that Il was n dream rather
than reality. The huzzahs of the null
titude DID not buy a breakfast nor
ill a dinner pail. From that time on
l took an active part in each return
ing campaign, but moved upon dead
level from which memory brings no
pleasant story until the DanielCam-
crcn canvass for the governorship p.
when | had lots of fun, if nothing else.
1t will be recalled that the two as
pirants for the high office met. in de-
bate several times and then sepa-
rated not TO meet again during the
} fight Governor Cameron was an
! nounceu to canvass East Virginia, and
! l was asked by the committee TO fol-
| low close upon his heels, and, to my
surprise he consented TO divide time
| with me, though he was candidate for
high office and j an humble member OF
rank and file.
We left Richmond on the same train.
travelled together to Baltimore, and
| registered at the old Barnum Hotel.
in it's day one OF the noted hostelries
| of the land. Our rooms adjoined one
| the other. and when supper was ready
we went together to the table. and.
I when Cameron had read over the bill
OF fare. he turned to me ana said,
There is nothing on IT that just suits
me" and suggested that we would go
/ To Guys restaurant nearby and get
something worth the eating. | went
with him, though the Barnum supper
was good enough for me, and, when
think of ii, I recall an incident. which
happened at the Hamilton House. Mar
tinsvillc, Henry County, some years
ago. | had been staying there for some
weeks, fcaEtiHg on the good things
prepared by n genuinely accomplished
Virginia cook. The meals We're sim
4 ply excellent. At one supper mum
bcr OF drummers. who had been travel
ing all day, sat with me at the same
/ table. and two Just opposite me be-
gan to discuss the meals. One OF them
said. 1T is fine and reminds me OF
home" and the other chimed In by say
ing: Yes, it is fine. and reminds me OF
home. too. but it is d-n sight better
than my home" But l went with
Cameron to Guys, and the meal was
more than 1T for the gods and at its
close smoked my first Henry Clay
cigar. two for 80 cents Cameron foot
ing the bill. The next morning We
took the boat for Onancock and chatteC
and smoked on the deck until the
wharf was reached. Here we sepa-
rated he going with his friends and
| with mine. We net next morning N
the courthouse, II being County Cour1
day. and again the platform was erect
cd in the open air. and about 1T more
than an acre of people stood. Som'
! one. however. suggested that a:
President Garfield would be buried OF
that day, the discussion should b'
called off and the occasion be con
, verified into 2 memorial one. This wa:
promptly agreed to. and Cameron an,
were appointed "a committee to draf
resolutions We went to q room i'll tn
! motel and. Knowing well that Cameron
\ had no superior as ready and graceful
\ writer. told him il he would prepare
the resolutions ] would furnish tn
julcps. This no readily consented to
and we afterwards returned to tn
platform where the resolutions wer'
! read adopted and appropriate culosic
I passed upon the dead. The next da,
wc met ut Belle Haven, where we hat
1 our first discussion.
My speech was largely composed o
4 editorials which had been written b.
q Cameron when he edited "a Dcmocrau
4 paper. and while commenting upon on
OF the best OF them, an old dark.
) who stood near the platform looked Vi
\ at me ana said: Boss. what dat vol
rcading|' ! explained to him that
i was newspaper article written b.
i Colonel Cameron some years ago. L
\ Which no promptly said we don
y care what he SAID yesterday What 1
3 lie saying today" And an he seem
cd to have the sympathy OF the au
4 dlcnce, | had TO change my line O
4 argument
I'm" next day We net at Chincotcagu
Island. ana became 50 much int.rcstc
\ IN the ponics grazing on the swan
] grass that really recall but little o
tho discussion. do remember thi.
4 however. win emphatic distinctncss
4 cameron said: "I!crkclcy, when m
y Governor, ] would like to have a pal
d OF thsAc ponies FOR the children OF In
) family and | would be glad To hav
y"'i pay 10! them, and, with the pur
pose 10 mako you bear tho burdci
\ VIII VIII bot YOU that I'll 30 IN
\ ncNt Governor Of Virginia" decline