Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1858-11-16
pEiIocRAnIc nrEEr,ra IN ALExAEpR1A.


The Democrats OF Alexandra held meet,
ing one evening last week, for The purpose of
appointing delegates to the Guberna,orial Con
vention. Among the speakers at the meeting
was Dr.. j. b. Johnson, formerly of this couu~
ty, who distinguished himself by his bitter and
fauatical opposition to the Representative of
this District, and who rendered himself cons
spicuous by his earnest efforts to have the
delegates instructed to vote for none other
than an OLD line democrat. In opposition to
this move of tho Dr., Mr. G. w. Brent said
he had been Democrat all his life, aud had
always warmly advocated Democratic pripci.
pies. lie had no doubt that the Convention
would nominatesa true and consistent Demo-
crat. The only question he should ask, would
he, is he Democrat. He knew neither Old
Liners nor New Liners. He WAS opposed to
DIR. Johnson's motion, and thought that the
mere handful Of Democrats y csent had no
right TO instruct the whole Democratic party
of Alexandra whoever was the nominee Of
the Convention he would warmly support.
After d warm laudation of his own cons
slstency as a Democrat-in which he did not
once refer TO hisssuPport of Distribution
candidate in opposition to a regular Demo
cratic nomiaea-Dr johnson stated that the
object Of his motion was to break up the p.ia~
ciple of nominating men who had just come
into the party, over the heads of old and tried
Democrats. lie had not believed that hia
motion would prevail when he offered it, for
it would take time for The party to learn wis,
dom.
Thus it will be seen that the learned DR..
ddnot calculate upon effecting anything when
he mads his motion, for it would lake time
for the party to learn wisdom" With such
teachers rs tbs Dr., whose actions so lily cor>
respond with his professions, we readily cons
cur in this last remark. We are sorry it is so,
but the fact stares Us in the face. The last act
of DIR. Johuson's political life in this county,
was not we'll calculated to inspire confidence
in his wisdom rs leader, and surely, when
the selEconstituted tutors of the panty, err so
egregiously. it is not to be expected that the
masses will act with that wisdom and pru+
dencewhich Dr. Johnson seems anxious should
actuate them.
Mr.. G. w. Brent was opposed to expressing
preference for particular candidate for the
nomination, and he therefore would offer the
following substitute for DR.. Johnson's resolu.
ton
Resolped, That the Democracy of Alexau.
dria desire that the selection of candidate
for Governor, shall be mado regardless of the
efforts of partisan advocates or opponents of
the eminent citizens named in connection with
that office, and with sole reference to the well
fare of the Commonwealth.
Apd this resolution of Mr.. Brent was passed
despite the laoorsd opposition of DR.. ], B.
johnson. From this it will be seen that the
Democracy of Alexandria "dosire that the Sc,
lection of caud idate ,or Governor shall be
made regardless of the opposition +" of DR.
Johnson, and other partisan advocates. So
mote it be, and so it will be. The people are
not going to be led astray by the fanaticism
aud bitterness of this or that wouldbe leader.
The truth is the people are waking up from
the condition of mere camp followers, and will
eventually become their own leaders in mats
tiers pertaining TO their welfare.