The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-08-27
West Virginia.

west Virginia.
It is well that the West Virginia elections
occurred just ut this time. The test of popu'
lar sentiment on some local matters-for
instance, the Constitutions more safely
made at this time than it could be at later
period. The Constitution is settled, and the
turn Of public opinion is ascertaiDed, and the
discreet men of that State may readily so ar
rrnge matters Us to insure the victory at Il
future day.
The vexed condition Of West Virginia poll
tics comes, first, of the troubles thrown IN
the way of reconstruction by ultra Radicals,
and. secondly, of the eXultant rcactionary
feeling of the Democrats after the defeat OF
the ultra Radicals. After the war an,hcsty
divided the Republicans, The extremes
were in favor of continuing all suspected of
sympathy with the South in state of utter
Acknowledgement OF course such whole
sale persecution could not be maintained. 1t
produced reaction which caused the LegiS-
sature to repeal the act forbidding rebels to
sue, practice law, DC, and submitted to
the popular vote IN amendment to the Con-
StitutiOn, known us the FLICK amendment,
which gave the right Of suffrage to "rebcls"
and negroes.
On this FLICK amendment arose the first
confusion. Democrats divided upon it,
some opposing it because it gnrc suffrage to
the negro. The Republicans divided upon
it-some opposing it because it gave suffrage
ft,o Is ,IulS ne
amendment was finally carried through I'LL
its stages, the people voting upon it without
respect to party.
The next question drought up by a Demo
cratic Legislature) was the proposition for a
convention to amend the Constitution, which
prevailed in opposition to The solid vote of
tn, Republicans. The Constitution which
was framed last year under this call seems
to have met with probably more opposition
from the Democratic party than the Repub-
lican. Ono great difficulty seems " have
been the county court system, that of Vir-
ginia before the war having been incorpo-
rated In it in lieu of the New York system,
which was adopted in the previous Consttu-
ton. Still, the Constitution being the work
of Democratic hands, 1t was opposed by large
numbers Of Republicans who had no other
objection to it, and it was supported, OH the
other hand, by many Democrats, Tor sake Of
union, who were opposed to it. Enough,
however, voted against it to defeat it.
There was yet another question connected
with the Constitution. The Constitutional
Convention submitted along with the Con-
stitution separate clause restricting negroes
from holding Office. This only added to the
confusion, which involved III its cntangle-
ments the whole election OF officers.
Added to the general complication of
questions came the trouble of the guberDa-
torial nomination. Governor JACOB had
served one term very satisfactorily. He de-
sired the approval of the denomination for
second term. But Mr.. CAMDEN was nomi-
mated, his friends assert, under tacit agree
ment by which JACOB was to decline reelection
and CAMDEN should he brought forward.
CAMDEN it is alleged was the friend of JACOB,
and secured his nomination at the former
election with this understanding. Such per-
sonal arrangements generally beget trouble,
and those whose interest it Ia to make only
the more confusion out OF them never fail
to do SO,
The Republicans, very cunning--h this
condition of things, determined to run no
candidate and to help to divide and distract
the Democrats.
Let us hope that they will be foiled in their
cunning tactics. The Constitution is out of
the question, and its defeat compels the hold:
ing Of another State election on the fourth
Thursday In October. Surely the Conserva-
tive and Democratic people of West Virginia
can profit by the result just brought about.
They readily perceive the weak points and
the leaks, and can as easily defend them. No
man is a patriot who, In such state of
things, will stand In the way OF harmony and
retnion for the October and November strug-
giles. The public will should control the
wishes Of individuals, and all should submit
gracefully to that.
The ease Is rs plain as it could be. The
Democrats and Liberlls are largely in the as
eendantin West Virginia. United they are
Irresistible. Their opponents have endea-
yored to make their divisions irreconcilable;
but this Republican strategy and the expc-
rience just acquired will insure their rernion
and thorough organization for the next con-
test. We are convinced that the complete
triumph of the Liberalsts Is thus insured.
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How It Is,