Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-08-06
& CARD.
Bo11yAR. July %. Is.


cratic> Conservative Convention
S1R-Yours of the 9th inst, notifying
me of my nomination for the Sheriffaty of
this county by the Conservative Convention
held at Charlestown ON the 22d inst, is at
hand In reply would say that thank,
fully accept the nomination. and that pledge
myself, if elected, to perform the duties of
the office to the best of my ability.
Under ordinary circumstances, or in the
palmy days of the Democratic party the above
simple note of acceptance would be deemed
sufficient, but in view of the present unhappy
state of things. and the utter abandonment of
all the time>honored usages Of our party, by
persons calling themselves Democrats, and
from whom better things might be and were
expected, l consider that owe to myself and
the people of this county, that should ex.
plain through you to the public, nv present
position, and that of the parties to whom I
refer.
It is conceded that the Convention which
nominated me, before it entered on the bust.
ness for which it assembled. pledged itself to
abide by the expressed will of majority OF
its members. 1t is equally certain that re-
ceived my nomination by clear majority, on
the first ballot, and. finally. il is admitted that,
on motion of my principal opponent in the
Convention, my nomination was declared to
be unanimous. Three other nominations were
afterwards made before any dissatisfaction
was expressed. and then lawless band of men
broke up the Convention, on pretence of feel
ing outraged at the last nomination, which
was for the Office of States Attorney. The
members OF the Convention, or. | should say.
such Of them were not in sympathy with
the rioters, assembled at Dufheld's Depot on
the 18th inst to complete the business of the
C"nVention, so shamefully or shamelessly in
terrunted at Charlestown, but the delegates of
one township absented themselves, thereby
clearly showing their approval of the outrage
committed at Charlestown, and farther, for.
settul Of their pledges and the usages not
only OF the Democratic but of every other
party in this country, and of honorable men
everywhere they, last Saturday, assembled in
a mass meeting nominally of the county blu,
in reality Of a faction of one township, and
nominated the gentleman who had been put
up against me at the original Convention. and
whom defeated by vote of seventeen to
fourteen. They ignored all the other ncmi.
nations also. thereby clearly showing that the
States Attorneyship was not the thorn that
The above statement is now before the pub
lie, and if any man can deny it, or any part
OF it, let him do so and if hundreds of our
best citizens who were present at the Convep
ton, will not bear me our, l will retrac, nv
statement as publicly as make it.
And, now, will say that while I confess
that feel outraged in my own person by the
course pursued towards me, feel far more
keenly for the dignity and safety Of the party
to which have BEEN all my life, so ardently
attached, and in which l see the only safety
Tor our common country. Were the proceed
lngs refer to conducted in some semi bar
barous region where the lights of civilization
could scarcely be said to have yet penetrated.
thew would not be so significant of the decay
OF that dignity so characteristic of the great
Democratic party of former DAYS, aud the
wane Of the irresistible power secured to it by
its thorough drill and organic ton. When.
however, these occurrences take place in the
very centre of the far-famed civilization of
Virginia. and when they are contrived and
executed by men whom we heretofore re-
earded as the heart and brain of our party
organization, and the chief opponents of our
boosted culture, there is room for the gravest
apprehenslons not only for Democratic party
organization but for civil liberty ITSELF l
conceive, therefore, that it is my duty to the
public as we'll as to myself to oppose. to the
last, this glarine violation not only of nv
rights in political party but of that still
dearer one, common to all. which was never
before invaded in this county, unless, per-
hans. in time of war-that of meeting peace
dby for any legal purpose oithout let or hin>
0ronee. In the performance of this duty,
then. stand before the people as the regular
nominee of the Conservative Democracy, and
clam the vote of every man in Jefferson
county who pretends to be Democrat and to
wish we'll to his party unless, indeed, some>
thing be discovered. before election day, of my
former life which would render it dangerous
to trust me with Office and which would
neutraize my undoubted ciaimas the regular
nominee. | also call on every Democrat in
Jefferson county to support the other nomi-
nees of the regular Democratic Conservative
Convention. Very respectfully yours,
EDWARD T1ERNAY.
CANDIDATE FOR GoNGREss-W are au
'h"rized to say that at the earnest request of
prominent men from all parts of this Congres,
sional district. the Hon. Alex R I}o,eler has
consented to become an independent candi-
date for Congress- with the distinc, under
standing that if the Republican party should
put candidate iuto the field he will With
draw
This announcement will be hailed with
pleasure by the many friends of Mr. Buteler
who an1iousiy desire to men like him once
more IN Cong ress-men who do not iudustri
ousiy seek position, but are themselves sought.
Mr.. b. Is we'll known public man of tried
integrity, of great industry in attending to
the Interests of his constituents. and alive to
Whatever is of general interest to the country
he was member of the Seth Congress. and
faithfully discharged the duties entrusted TO
him.-Shepherdstown Register
LEAP YEAR P1c-N1c.-The young ladies
aud gentlemen of town entertained themselves
on Friday last, by novel pic mic at the Big
Spring. The novelty consisted in the ladies
inviting the gentlemen, a Ia leap year, and
deciding who should be each ones gallant for