He assured Henry that this act on his part was from necessity and not from choice.
"The statement you have made, Henry, that party affiliations with me is optional," he answered, "is presumed to be true; but, in point of fact, it is not.

No white man can live in the South in the future and act with any other than the Democratic party unless he is willing and prepared to live a life of social isolation and remain in political oblivion.

While I am somewhat advanced in years, I am not so old as to be devoid of political ambition.

Besides I have two grown sons.

There is, no doubt, a bright, brilliant and successful future before them if they are Democrats; otherwise, not.