Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-07-06
Jacob tho Apostayo.

We had barely time 70 announce 10 our las,
$3.50, that Gov. jacob, yielding 20 the solicita-
na.s Of bis radical supporters, had proclaimed
umsclt an independent candidate for re-elec-
1900 10 the CIberuatoriM office Il is well
i.. us TO consider mOTe fully this unexpected
action upon bis part, and 20 understand its
incoming aud design. Whatever importance
u., attach to bis detection is dae 70 the time,
t.c,ucums.auces, and the position be occupies,
600 10 tho man himself The approaching
State election towers in importance, infinitely
ay.ud any ordinary canvas It's influences
u, 90 shapc ;Lc pgesea. ana 20 reach ier into
PHI, future
sur the first seven years Of her existence, the
c..:o Of Yves; Virginia groausj under the sell
ra ana energetic rule Of party that struck
s.Du every right which FREQ government is es-
.ljisheI to secure. In that period she illus
u.:,J, as never before was illustrated, how
..ug aud reuoJiess may be the tyranny
,..t can act through the forms and the names
90 popular government, and how much worse
D., ,le rule Of phTonzicd faction, through the
SYSTEMATIC prescription Of law, than the occa-
-,Hll aud violent outbursts Of despo, who
SHOWS DO law Jat bis own passions
Gy that diab0lical array Of test-oa,hs, whose
tale enumeration would awaken incredulity
were not their memories fresh with US, very
Sc, Intelligent aud wealthy portion Of our
,eqple were deprived, without trial or conyic-
ton Of any crime, of al share in government,
ct all protection under government snd In Ger
tais cases even Of tho privilege Of pursuisg their
chosen vacations. Never seemed tho ruling
faction more secure than In the Fall Of 1870.
iy their skillfully o0ntriysd registration laws,
Sos Goyeraot, sitting at the Capital Of the
State, was able, by an electric flash, to add
90 strike OF q thousand names from the list Of
voters, to disfrauchise OF enfrauchse counties
aad sections, as party needs demanded The
u,lu who possessed that powJs vas caudi-
bate for reelection, a sure pledge that it would
le used vigorously and uuscrupulously as
nd.ht be deemed necessary. Their very secu-
i'y lullej them to false confidence. While
,.cy slumberel the people were free This
evolution in West Virginia politics is ftH Of
u.,crost aud instruction, and will always at
..s-t the attention Of political students As
cia,cj with the wonderful aud silent omanci-
gl,iyn was the name Ct jacob Not that his
,,f>oaa, influence, Lis name, or lis efforts con-
..ou,ed in any appreciaJ.e measure to the re-
salt, but accident aud perhaps lis own obscure
3, placed him in the front, and made him
.-are ia IT'S glory.
But the fruits Of victory were not safe, IN
3D.. oil possibility Of the repetition Of the gloomy
past vas done away With The new govern
ueut must be reared upon q new and broad
foundation. To secure ills cnJ O CJastitu-
rlua, Convention was called, aud new Con-
,...tiyu framed by representatives of all the
people, that is wei adapted 70 their interests
md tLcI necessities, above all a Constitution
lat forever prevents those attacks upon per
aai aud political rights that were possible
.-les the existing Constitution Of the State
Although Gov. Jacob was 40 party 70 this
great movement yet occupying tic executive
.licc LIS name might have been LouoTably as
,-.a,cJ whit But uow, when .Lat Cousti-
.l,.ou is before the people Tor their ratification
when tLc issue is SO uuspelkaby important
when its enemies are baH'ei AID dismayed. aud
.ln only hope fys its lelsa: through schism in
.lr ranks, % the surprise, SORROW aud burning
..lgu1.i5u Oi every true man, Gov. Jacob de-
.c,s h.s friends aud po,,,.-4, associates at the
a1s: cr.t.c-. hour, become. ;hc leader Of the
--lcJItc4ei enemy and seeks o. carry away
~..l lin enough dissatisfied followers 90 undo
tao great work we have SO 4borously aud pa
,,-lty achieved. Toayeuge some faucied phi
,lto wrong, or, acaaer yet TO crafty d petty
personal ambition This renegade is willing 10
barter the interests aud The rights Of every
Conservative citizen Of this State, Of their chill
-rsu aud cli,jsgu's children.
What mus, be the response Of The people Of
West Virginia % such apos;asy as this? How
.llA they ,.-at an attempt whose wiekedaess
must be measured by rs logical and necessary
l.-ul,s Il successful, namely. tie defeat o.. the
.ew Constitution aul the loss OF our political
.slculalcy ia thc State. There can be but one
.a-~-r. Let %. forge; I'D personal and local
discussions. arj unite ae one mau to save our
4Iu...el constitution and 20 overthrow this
.ulac.gus attempt Of rsi-a,'sm, lea en- by
peril.0us and purchased .c-lcr. 70 recover
,ae,r lost asceujaucy aud once tno-c 10 ram
l,e US beneath their feet, The duties Of the
..ur are tsO soieuu, too E,r-rcacLiug. The m
'cfest, at stake arc too Tremendous To lcrrat
.aIy'cssness iueltuess or discorI Let the man
uho dlres 10 prefer his oNu interests 10 the
welfare Of an entire community. who bytr4ys
the confidence o. those sLo cav. him power
au4 position. be consigned to the cJscurity Lc
deserves, Whte his treason shall arouse us 10
moro decided aud harmonious action than We
li, ut otherwise have reached
Mercury at nal-yl 1u,-o.uts. tyr several