Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1848-06-27
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The letter of the Hon. WiIloughby Newton.
distinguished Wing member OF Congress IRON
Virginia. in 1884, is yet fresh in the minds OF the
people. II its force and effect was felt then, how
much more potent are its arguments now! The
Wing net has been again expanded, in the vain
hope of catching birds of every feather" Tin
reviewing the action ofthe Wing State Conven-
ton of 1914, he thus spoke, what must be his in
dgnation in contemplating the proceedings of that
of '4s, and the miserable clap-trap arguments and
principles advocated by its Committee in their Ad
dress TO the people of Virginia. Mr. Newton, in
IA, said;
son reviewing the events of the last four years,
no mnarlia observer ca fail to perceive that the
disasters which have befallen the Wing party, and
cast blight over the prosperity OF the country,
have resulted, in great measure from the want
ofcandor and fairness in avowing and maintaining
our principles, especially IN virginia. we COM
menced the canvass in 1870, under most dIscour-
auinu circumstances. The Wings proper, were
in small minority throughout the Union-a party
had been formed out of the discordant elements
then IN opposition to the Administration OF Mr.:
Van Buren,. Our eagerness Tor success inouced
us to extend our nets to embrace birds OF every
feather We not only asked nOqHestion OF those
who offered themselves allies for the war, but
our own Convention at Richmond actually repu-
dated the leading principles and measures OF the
sWhiU partV, WethuS entered tue Campaign a
discordant mass, some fighting for principles and
others for freedom, and animated by but one COM
mon principle that of opposition 10 the admins,
tra,ion of Mr. Van Buren,. We had long and
arduous contest, and achieved what we supposed
to be glorious triumph. But what advantages
have we reaped from our labors? The fruits OF
all our tolls have turned to ashes on our lips, and
we NAV truly exclaim with Pyrrhus, 'one more
such victory and we are undonc-' Thetreachery
of the presnt Executive, and some ofhis prominent
allies, derived confidence and support from the
Whir Address of 1870. and impartial history may
find il difficult to determine whether the Convcn-
ton is most to be censured for its indscretIon in
putting forth such Address, or those very scrn-
puouS politicians for availing themselves OF it, as
preleXt for abandoning their party
:" Let me adjurc the Convention not to repeat
the errors of 1870, which have been the truitf"
source of alIour woes. Let them remember that
honesty is the best policy both in public nEd
private life. think l know something oil the
Virginia character. Our people are liberal and
ingenious; they will tolerate an honest difference
of opinion sincerely entertained and candidiy eX-
pressed; bnt they abhor even the appearance "t
Discrimination Let the Convention, therefore,
boldly avow the principles of the Party-advocate
a National Bank 60 nomiMe and without cIrcumIo-
cution Tariff with proper discrimination for
the reasonable protection of our great domestic
interests, and such other measures as they may
deem essential to the purity of the government,
and the prosperity Of the country.