Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1870-11-26
CON CNIc Ed.

Since the result Of the late election IN this
State has been ascerlalned. il seems cues
ton with mary OF this c"mmunif,, whether u
was Dc nlocra,ic, or CONSERVATIVE triumph.
The discussion Of this question is no; h Ln-
necessary and improper al this time, since It 10
a known fact thal heilher democracy or con-
servatlsm, separately, achieved The result.
The contest in thI, State was peculiar Ole,
unlike in other States, where organized parties
were opposed on fixed principles and declared
issues, with US II was III orgsnlSed party ON The
one hand and an outraged people on TIE other.
IL was party whose crimes and corrup!roas
had driven the people to all opposition result
Ing in its overthrow. The people were not
actusted by any principle Of parry, but by
sense of just duty TO HE twenty FIVE thousand
dsiranchi.ed citizens Of Vest Virginia, who
are "bone Of their bone, and flesh oftheir ae,h'
So il was not party triumph, bat triumph
Of the people regardless OF party. The resuIt
was unex pected, ant evidences the fact that
retribu;iYe Justice. tho often slow cf pace,
will cycntually deal blow 10 wrong.
The great mass OF the citizens OF thi, State,
have wandered for ten long years it, politica!
night; 20 star Of hope cleaned without the
dal kness; til like the sudden bursting OF the
sun above dark horizon, the day dawaed,
and this sudden transition from darkness TO
they speak like men amazed, and prompted |
fear b, prejudices that should have been bur-
led meath The waves OF our long political ad
versiiy, ascribe To party, all the honor ard
glory. This should OF DC, and hope this feet
ing will never frd Judgement in the hearts Of
the people, or eX end beyond The limits Of
Tow n.hip We should all labor as citizens Of
the STATE, for the welfare of the State; and
since il seems a necessity that parties should
exist, let US remember that II IS our duty 10
press OH, "shonldur TO shoulder" democrat
with conservative against radicallsm. the ccm-
mon enemy Of law, aud order. Let rs battle
~ the future as they in MARYLAND have battied
nob!y in the past, and make dem 'cr"cy and
conservatism, an element of strength, and not
Of weakness. We have Individuals IN our
midst who are persistent in the cry OF corser-
ya;ivc; ana prem ted by long nursed prejudices,
without any reason. disclalm any sfiiiIatIon with
the democratic party; if the Reasons OF this an
tsgnnism to democracy, we're as eyi'ent as
the reasons Why they once affiliated with rad
icaiiSm, then perhaps, they could not bt cha"g.
ed with prejudice, bat Of policy, which WI!
iall 20 recommend them 10 any party, and will
prove but q sad addition 10 the party that may
be so unfortunate as 10 enlist them in is ranks.
The times demand declared principles: frm,
fixed, purposes and ISSUES; and the masses de-
mand reprsse NATIVE men whosr pfInc pies are
known and declared as indeed in none others
can confidence be imposed, The last man de-
serving public confluence and position, is he
who objects 10 all parties, issues, aud prin"I-
pies aud wrapping himself IN the fimsy folds OF
,ell-conceit, i;nacines q ,arty in himseif-such
man, is political imhec!Ie, who would abuse
the confidence of the people. Heretofore in
our county, where vast majority have been
disfranchised, official positions were only eli
glhIc 10 few; thls will no, be the case here
after; the Selections viii be made from the
grco, mass Of tie people-tLe bargain and sale
system of radlcaisn viii cease, and the Peo-
pie having the lesson Of the past before them,
Will choose men whose hand, are cloan, and
whose skirts are uucnnlamna ted; for the peo-
pie have too long made virtue OF necessity IN
choosing a; leas; our county officials.
lam an old line democrat-and Why should
blush 70 confess ~ Icanno, be persuaded /"
abandon the faith Of my fathers, or deny the
record OF the past. Tie brightest record on tie
pages Of the history OF my country-untarn m
ished by the crime, Of notwithstanding
spite the opposition OF parties-was traced By
the hand Of Democracy, and will remain for
ever. FEARLESS.