Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-08-03
A CARD.
BOLIVAR. July 30, 1872.

.
Secretary of Democratic Conservative
Convention.
SrR:-Yours Of the 9th instant,
notifying me Of my nomination for the Sheriff
atty of this County, by the Conservative Con-
vention held at Charlestown on the 22nd 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 10 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, aud the utter abandonment OF
all the Gme-honored usages of our party, by
persons calling themselves Democrats, and
from whom better things might be and were
expected, | consider that owe to myself and
the people of this county, that | should ex-
plain through you to the public my present
position and that Of the parties to whom re-
fer.
It is conceded that the Convention which
nominated me. before it entered on the bust
ness for which it assembled, pledged itself to
abide bv the expressed will of majority Of
its members. 1t is equally certain that l re-
ceved my nomination by clear majority, on
the first ballot, and, finally, it is admitted that,
on a 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 a 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 mem
bers of the Convention, or | should say such
Of them as were not in sympathy with the
rioters, assembled at Dufieds Depot on the
25th inst, to complete the business Of the Con
vention, so shamefully or shamelesSly inter-
rupted at Charlestown, but the delegates Of one
township abseuted themselves, therby clearly
showing their approval of the outrage commit
ed at Charestown and, farther, forgetul OF their
pledges and the usages not only of the Demo
cratic, but of every other party in this country,
and of honorable men everywhere they, last
Saturday, assembled in Mass Meeting, NOM
iually Of the County, but in reality OF a faction
of one township, and nominated the gentleman,
who had been put up against me at the orlgl-
nal Convention, and whom defeated 10y vote
of seventeen to fourteen. They ignored all the
other nominations also, thereby clearly show
ing that the States Attorney-ship was not the
thorn that hurt them.
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 cti-
zens, who were present at the Convention will
not bear me out, | will retract my statement
as publicly as make It,
And now, | will say that while | confess
that feel outraged in my own person by the
course pursued towards ne, 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 see the only safety for
our common country. Were the proceedings
| refer to conducted in some semi-barbarouS
region where the lights Of civilization could
scarcely be said to have yet penetrated, they
would not he so significant Of the decay Of that
dignity so characteristic Of the great Demo-
cratic party of former days and the wane OF
the irresistible power secured to 1t by It's tho
rough drill and organization. When, how
ever, these occurrences take place in the very
centre Of the far-famed civilization of Virginia
and when they ere contrived and executed by
men whom we, heretofore, regarded as the
brain and heart of our party organization and
the chief exponen,s of our boosted culture,
there is toom for tie gravest apprehensiors
not only for Democratic party organization,
but for civil liberty itself
conceive, therefore, that it is my duty to
the public as weA as to myself to oppose, to
the last, this glaring violation, not only Of my
rights in political party but of that still dear
er one common to all, which was never before
invaded in this county unless, perhaps, in
time Of Har-that Of MEETING rEACEABLY FOR
ANY LEGAL PURPOSE WITHOUT LET OR HIDER-
ANcE. In the performance Of this duty, then,
stand before the people as the regular nom!-
nee of the Conservative Democracy, and |
claim the vote Of every man in Jefferson COun-
ty who preteuds to be Democrat and to wish
well to bis party, unless, indeed, something be
discovered, before election day, Of my former
life which would render it dangerous to trust
mo with Office and which would ueutralze my
undoubted claim as the regular nominee. |
also call on every Democrat in Jefferson County
to support the other nominees Of the regular
Democratic, Conservative Convention.
Very respectfully yours,
ElJWARD TEARNEY