The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-15
ADASrARDLY ATTACK.

~ ~ Sioi AsDui " tHS
editor of that paper, which is very re-
narkaolc in more ways than one. The
substance Of the letter amounts to this:
That the Democracy of Harrison county
opposed the adoption of the Flick
Amendment, and as one Of the means
of defeating that measure, issued a
circular addressed to white Men and
Democrats" specifying reasons why it
should not be adopted That the au-
thors OF said circular did net consult
the writer of the Gazette article. either
as to its preparation or circulation. "
While this is not singular-he ad.
mittiug that he was in favor Of the
Flick, and it may be, not having the
honor to be Democrat, he makes it
the occasion for violent aud
deadly assault on Hon. John J. Davis,
our present member of Congress
charging him with not only being the
aui or of the circular Aforesaid, but
with being. opposed to the enfranchisc.
ment of the reoels. In proof of this,
lie charges, Is. That it vas printed at
the ConSeTre ire Ofice-the orgca Of
Mr.. Davis peculiar views; md, 1t
was circulated by c. W Smith. jr.,
who is Mr.. Davis law partner; and
Sd; that somebody told him that some
body had said at some place that he
thought Mr.. PAWS wrote it.
Now we neither know nor care who
did or did net write the circular; but
We do know that the charges contained
in the letter against Mr.. Davis are TN.
true. Let us take them se.raiim.
What peculiar views" does Mr..
Davis advocate that are not in conso,
nance with the Democracy! The
people of this Congressional District
have had the pleasure of hearing him
explain bis position upon all the great
questions which divide the two parties,
in series of public speeches which
have been supposed by none others
made in this State since the war. And
not only SO, but after healing them, in
spite Of the most determined opposition
frsm foes without, aud from traitors
,ci''ia. in spite Of the array Of wealth
and influence, and the cOr,upting pow
er of money, they elected him, the Jifsi
Democratic Congressman from the Dis
trict. by majority of over twelve hun
bred votes, notwithstanding Mr.. Walk
or, who ran two years previous, after a
most brilliant canvass, was beaten over
500. We think that the views of Mr..
Davis were peculiarly snitea to The
Democracy of this District, and his
large majority shows that they were
then, at least, considered as truly
Democratic,
As to who circulated the Circular, We
presume hf. Smith, whom We know TO
be sound Democrat, as well as a
young man OF line ability. can answer
Tor himself ana as 10 Inc last charge,
it is wholly founded on hedrsdy, and
that of not very reliable character.
But suppose all the charges were
true VI here does this anonymous
scrislef find his authority for charging
Mr.. Davis with being opposed to the
eniranch!sement OF the late rebels !
Mr., Davis is not man who conceals
his views, or shrlnSs from any respon-
si6illtY which an open aud ayoWed pro-
mitigation of them entails. But, upon
the contrary, he is bold, manly and
open and his public acts, no less than
his private sentiments, are known to
the people: and it is not in the power
of any cowardly culminator to blacken
his foir fame BY any such false and un-
founded charges.
We defy the writer of the Gazette
article. or day one else, to cite a single
act Of Mr.. Davis in his capacity as a
legislator, even tending to substantiate
the charge made against him. And we
challenge any one to produce scrap be
has written or word or sentence he