Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-03-04
Democratic Convention.

Ne0Ate
House of Delegates of West Virgins. in Con.
of the State upon their steady perseverance,
in the laudable cause Of liberty and eouslity.
and the resulting demorilization and over.
throw of radical Republicanisn, by reason of
which the Legislature has, for the first time
since the establishment Of the State, been
composed of men who are the free aud un,
trammeled choice Of their constituencies. en-
tirely relieved of the most crushing aud oiious
disabilities which ever afflicted free peorle
We also congratulate the people and the De.
mocracy-to whom they owe their deliverance
upon this browning event in the political
history of our young State The people are
Free aud we, their representatives. docking
to the material interests Of our constituents
are determined to enact such laws as will Sc,
cure to the whole people. peace liberty, or
der. COOP government, and economical adj
ministrston of public affairs
The following preamble and resolutions were
reported by the Committee, and we're unani>
mously adopted:
Whereos, The enemies Of Democracy.
found alone in the ranks Of Republication,
who so recently supported DISTINGUISHING laws.
denying the political freedom of the people,
aud taking advantage of supposed divisions
y.
lively laboring. with zeal worthy of better
cause. to restore the reign of Radicalism in
this State; and
Wherros. The Democracy, in the flush Of.
acknowledged supremacy and capable of an
irresistible march to overwhelming victory,
sustained an unexpected defeat 10 this State,
in the late gubernatornl contest. by reasons
too apparent for moments doubt from
which the enemies of the Democratic marty
have been inspired with new courage TO COM
pass the overthrow of the freedom Of tho pco
pie. and re-estnblish the odious tyranny from
which they have so recently been emancipate6;
and
Whereos. The Democracy are DESTROYS of
perfect union of that party 10 this State, to
resist the Innovations upon the time .honored
usases of the party (Which were always un>
erring guides to equality. freedom and power.)
which recognize the rights Of all, and the
sacrifice of none of our former friends who
choose to re~nnite with US in the maintenance
Of the cherished principles of the founders
OF our government; and
Whereas. A failure to conform to conven-
t'onas arrangements of the great Democratic
party of this State. did as it always will. carry
the germs of tatality-disunion and defeat at
the polls-and to avoid this inevitable calami
e-afhrm its cardinal doctrine, whsh is, tina.
| the will of the majority of the party, as ex-
| pressed through it's delegates. should at all
times be respected, and the unity Of it's or
! ganization vigorously and cheerfuIly sustained;
and with renewed and resolute determination
to maintain our organization for the promotiop
| of our cause, and to repair, our late defeat
| we pledge anew to its organization and it's nb
| jects our earnest and faithful support. and. in
the accomplishment of its high purpose, we
| invite the corporation of all, without ref
| erence to past political status or course, who
are wiling or DESTROYS Of securing the public
good through Democratic agency and organi
| cation. We believe that differences upon
questions of party policy should he settled in
Democratic councils, and that opposition tn
Democratic candidates and measures should
he the province alone of those who desire the
destruction Of the Democratic party; 1t is
! therefore
Resolred. That, in the opinion of the Com
venflon, the continued ascendancy of the
Democratic party in Yves. Virginia is essen
iial to the well>being of the people, and is
best calculated to promote the prosperity of
the State; that to maintain this supremacy
and ascendancy, unity of action among tn"
Democratic members of the Legislature and
harmony in their councils are of paramount
Importance.
P"soIrrd, Tha. the experience of the pas..
and prudent torecas'ing of the future alike
indicate that the surest, safest and most eff.
fective reliance for Democratic success, will
be found in the wisdom with which Demo.
cratic measures are enacted, the prudence
with which public representatives of the Dem
ocratic party sustained by the press and
organs of public opinion. and the hearty
unanimity with which they shall receive Dem
ocra'ic support and we cannot look with in.
| difference on the silence IF the organs Of Dem
ocrat'c principles, which have failed to refute
the gross misrepresentation and detracton of
Democratic men and measures, especially
when such Misrepresentation have assumed
the magnitude of system of attack and all
this, without elciting indignant condemns
ton and appropriate defence from those on
whom the Democracy relied and supposed
they possessed claims to fairness and the
legitimate exposition of policy
Rrso/rr0, That the primary object of Leg
islation should he to redeem the pledges on
which the Democratic party was placed in
power; to secure equal rights to the people
retrenchment and reform in financial admins
istration; protection and encouragement to
material interests and enterprises and the
steady advancement and development of the
State. (Trne cnpv Test:
CHAs T CALDWELL. Sec'y.
Tegislativa Rnmnns