The New York herald., 1872-08-20
Hon. John j. Davis Upon the
Situation.
GIVE US EVERYTHING OLD, NOTHING new"
Louisville and the Bourbon Democrats
Looming Up in Importance.
A Trip from Parkersburg to Charleston and
General Review Of the Canvass.
CHARLESTON, KanawhaHCo., W. Va, |

Inc struggle OF the democracy Tor continued
dominance in the politics of this State is at
the height OF its bitterness The combinations led
by the republicans that are seeking to suppant it
are equally well to the front In the contest SO
evenly matched are the contending parties that it
is exceedingly troublesome to figure out the result
and state to which side the victory will belong
The democracy have the advantage OF regular
party organization with q legitimate majority in
the State of $4,000 were there dsaffectOn in its
ranks. The republicans have no party nominees or
organization in this early contest, and are looking
to gather in from their opponents enough majority
to elect their independent candidate, the present
democratic Governor OF the State Hon. John J.
Jacob and at the same time widen the breach in
the democratic ranks, so that they may gather to
1t the disafIected element and have party organi
zation for successful operations in the future. SO
1t may truthfully be said that the election to be
held on next Thursday, the 22d inst is really
contest between the republican and democratic
parties of the State for should the new
constitution be defeated and Jacob elected
through the assistance given to the repub-
licans by the disanccted democrats it will
give new life TO that organization, which lost its
power in the State in 1870 by the stupidity of its
leaders, and add much to its strength for future
operations. On the other hand should IL be unsuc-
cessful 1t will gather strength from the present
dsaGecton in the ranks of the opposite party, but
will have lost much by the concessions 1t has made
and the sinking OF its local party organizations.
Clarksburg was my first stopping place after leav-
Grafton. 1t is
THE HOME OF HON. JOHN j. DAVIS,
the present democratic Congressman from the First
district Of this State, who is OF the principal
supporters Of the Louisville Convention movement
to nominate straight-Out democrat in opposition
to Mr.. Greeley. called to see him to get his view
OF the political situation, and found him at his law
Office, busily engaged with some half dozen OF his
admirers who had called to pay their respects. He
received me little coldly at first, but after his
companions had left he conversed with me freely.
began the conversation by saying that there
was considerable Of muddle in State politics here
To which, he replied, Yes sir, we are having very
exciting contest, and the most important one the
State has ever known"
''what is your opinion of the result of the can
vass ~ asked.
''Wel sir, believe" said he, "that the new con-
stitution will be defeated and Jacob, independent
candidate for Governor, elected over Camden, the
regular democratic nominee"
"What effect will that have upon the regular
party organizations in the State ~ inquired.
at will, / believe" said he, shave the effect to
break them up and compel the formation OF new
party organization, under new leaders, from the
"What is the cause of the split in the democratic
party here ?" asked.
"The arrogance OF its leaders, SIR, he answered
"The honest element Of the party became disgusted
with the manner in which its prerogatives were
prostituted by the men who assumed the control OF
its affairs"
''Is the new constitution better than the old ~
asked.
"No, sir; do not regard 1t as good an instru-
ment," said he. "It is
PIECE OF POLITICAL DISHONESTY
with no omissions In the old constitution supplied
except an increased burden upon the people in the
way of Offices"
''The old constitution guaranteed all the rights
and political privileges that this one does, after
the adoption Of the Flick amendment enfranchising
everyone two years ago. did it not ?" inquired.
"Yes, sir; and In certain events more. The old
constitution, by the adoption OF the Flick amend.
ment, struck the word white out q necessary
qualification for political privilege and that why
l opposed its adoption when a member of the
Legislature. The new constitution provides that
the word white may be voted upon repeatedly, and
II majority Of all the cast for adoption be in
favor OF its insertion, then 1t becomes part OF the
constitution, but there is danger Of its adoption
for that was not the intention OF the party leaders
the privilege Of Inserting at the % poles Shy by "a direct
vote, when they did no such thing for they pro-
vide that majority Of all the votes cast for adop-
tOn rejection OF the constitution must be In
favor of the insertion OF the word white, else it
would fail so you see Its adoption would be almost
an mpOssibity for II the constitution be adopted,
and this provisiOneacks one vote of as large a ma.
jorlty as the constitution has 1t falls"
''What position do you assume toward the consti-
tuition and candidates ~
81 am zealOusly against the constitution and the
regular democratic nominees. Governor Jacob is
my candidate for Governor as against Camden, and
] am an Independent democratic candidate for
Congress from this district supported by the repub
cans, who have made no nomination, and such of
the democrats as are disgusted at the action Of
their party leaders,"
and yet declare for the Insertion Of the WORD w6ite
in the constitution qualification for political
rights, and assert that the thirteenth, fourteenth
tion are null and void ~
"Yes sir, such is a fact. They well understand
that sink no principle In receiving their support
and that still hold to
THE OLD DEMOCRATIC DOCTRINES,
trnes Of the bulk OF that party, perhaps, which
republican. am thoroughly democrat, tainted
with none OF the modern ideas OF those gentlemen
who are trying TO barter away Its time-honored
onice.5
eyes, sir, decidedly" he replied; ~ am heart
and soul with the Louisville Convention movement
aud shall support It's nominee"
LOUISVILLE.
"How is that movement progressing S' asked
every WELL" he answered; "wc expect good
crowd and hope to make a nomination that all hon.
est democrats can support"
''what are your prospects for an election to Con.
gress s' asked.
'I think shall be elected without doubt, sr,n he
replied.
i then bade hlm good morning, and later in the
afternoon went to the court house to hear himself
and Governor Jacob define their position to the
people that might assemble to hear them, There
were about two hundred people gathered, or whom
/ was informed three-fOurths were republicans
Governor Jacob was introduced by Mr. Davis who
said he had the pleasure OF presenting the present
and future Governor OF West Virginia Jacobs
speech was merely personal appeal for support.
THE STUMP.
Davis followed him In speech OF three hours. in
which he reviewed the new constitution with great
severity, calling 1t swinde upon the people. He |
alluded to the regular democratic State nominees |
with equal force and vituperation appealing TO his
friends, both democrats and republicans to repu- |