The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-11-07
THE DUTY OF THE DEMOCRACY.

ginia, the child Of the Revolution, is at
length redeemed and her citizens olsen
thralled from the most grievous burdens
ever hcaped upon an unfortunate people.
The smoke Of the battle has yet scarce
rolled away-the rejoicing and hosann abs
scarce died upon the air-the bon-fres
scarce ceased to glow, and we can yet
hardly realize that the object for which
we have so long labored has at last been
accomplished That West Virginia is at
last frce-that the right of local self
government has been vindicated-that our
motto is no longer mockery and cheat;
but that the great truth that Mountain
ecrs are always free" will now be realized
in our own State. These are the fruits
Of our bloodless war. But with victory
comes responsibility; and having demon
strated that We can suffer and be strong
having risen from each defeat with re-
Dewed strength and vitality, and a,lengih
secured victory unparalleled in the his
tory ofthe Republic. aud had our prin-
ciYlcs INDICATED by the judgment Of the
people, it now remains to be seen if we
have learned wisdom in adversely, and
can now govern both wisely and we'll, the
state which VIC have redeemed from rad
ical nisrulc.
The situation Of the Democracy in this
State is peculiar, and the responsibility
resting upon those whom they have placed
In power, Of the grayest character.
Heretofore. as party. the Democracy
have not been responsible for any Of the
evils which have afflicted our people
They were placed upon them by, the
strong hand Of power, and against our
most earnest protests. But now, the ease
is different. For the next two years, re
will have control Of the destinies Of the
State; and if we exercise our power ju-
diciously, for the good of the whole peo-
ple--for the preservation Of their liber-
ties, their rights and for their advantage
and happiness, the victory of to-day will
be but the precursor ofmsre brilliant ones
In the future.
Then let US looi calmly at the field be-
foro us. Let us lay aside the amor
which we have worn SO long, and for the
nsnce, forget the past with all its bitter
psss, and look only to the future.
The most grievOus, the most heinous,
the most unchristian feature which radi-
cal legislation enforced upon us, was the
disfranchisemeus Of our people. For this
sin, moro, perhaps, than any other, they
are now suffering the penalty prescribed
by outraged Public Opinion, and the first,
aye, the very first thing required Of the
Democratic party, is the redemption OF
their pledge-the ful6lment of their de-
mand f"A free ballot for rshite men,
and the immediate enactment Of 'ueh
meaIures az triW secure 1t r
This is the first prime duty Of the De.
mocracy. 1t is due, not only to them
selves, but to those who have SO long and
so patiently borne the shackles whish
proscrip,iva legislation placed upon them.
Their Immediate enfranchisement is
duty beside which all others sink into in
significance, and no .nobler work could
engage the attention Of our Legislature,
than thig. And We want this pledge
this demand of the Democracy, fulfilled
to the letter! We want immediate en-
franchisement! Nor do we care what
the Legislation necessary to secure this
result may cost! If it cost $40. 900,
well. Ifit cost 100000, still well.
fit cost the Democracy loss of power
in the State, still yet, it is well! 1t is a
principle! 1t rises higher Than party
It is matter affecting the rights and lib
critics of rs, 0O0;white men, aud compared
with their immediate restoration to those
rights of which they have been SO long
deprived, every consideration of expense,
Of policy, of consequences or of party
success, should be utterly cast aside
These being our views on this subject,
We shall leud our most earnest and hearty
cooperation to the suggestions of the
Democratic State Executive Committee,
10 urging the Legislature, as soon as it
shall assemble, to at once call Conysn-
tiOn Of the people to form a new COnstit-
ation for our State, believing as we do,
shat this will be the most speedy and ef.
fectual method Of accomplishing the end
sought. Let the call for The Convention
be submitted to the people ms early as
April. Let the Convention assemble in
~ II Il fpt