The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-09-15
Written for The Spirit Of Democracy
From Washington County.
MARIETTA, O Sept. s, 1874


From Washington County.
MARIETTA, 0 Sept. s, 1874.
ED SPIRIT: As might be expected the
Radical press, since the nomination of
Mr. Oldham for Congress by the Democ-
racy of this District, knowing his sur
passing popularity and the unwavering
faith Of the Democratic party in his in
te2rty and honesty, takes occasion, while
Sqnirming under the apprehensions of
defeat this fall, to speak Of his connec-
ton with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
in a manner calculated to mislead the
honest and hard working voters of the
District in relation to the facts connected
Herewith.
The Reqister of this city, the Radical
organ of Washington County, y,under date
of Sept 3, feeling no doubt that some
thing must be done to save the bacon of
the party itrepresents, breaks the ice and
comes at US with what might be called by
members of debating societies "a one
sided question:" and claims to have the
side. The object plainly is t, so state
the question TO the people that they, ,espe
cialiy those who are the representatives
of the great Order of Grangers, the
avowed antagonists of monopo les of all
kinds, will vote against the Democratic
candidate through sense of duty 70
themselves and country and allegiance to
the Order whose eternal principles for
right and against might are held sacred.
The Register says: "For instance, Mr.
Oldham is an instrument in the hands Of
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the
greatest evil with Which Southern Ohio is
cursed. thas absorbed the Marietta &
Cincinnati Railroad from which we at one
time had some advantages. 1t is not so
now. Since its control Ivy the Baltimore
& Ohio road,i it has been a curse and draw
back to all the material interests Of Mari
eta and Washington County. OF
course this road wants some man in Con-
gress but will the voters of this section
help put Mr. Oldham there ?"
Now that all who are interested may
see the fallacy and absurdity Of the Reg
ister's zone sided question:" and know
for whom they vote and what he does
and represents, let US examine the other
side of this zone sided question: for o
moment and see what is in it.
There are three attorneys for the Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad in this Congress
sional District. Mr. DeStigeur,of Athens
County, who cast the vote of that county
for Mr.. Van Vorhes in the Republican
Convention at Marietta on August 26, is
one of the Attorneys; Mr.. Jewett, also
of Athens County, who was Secretary OF
the same Convention, is another, and Mr.
Oldham is the third. Gen Charles H.
Grosvenor, who led the Van Vorhes for.
ces in Convention, is the attorney of the
Hooking Valley road Now will the
Register say that these three railroad at.
torneys were working in the interests ol
the railroads in nominating Mr.. Van Vor
hes? And yet this argument is just as
logical as that quoted above. Mr. Old
ham practices his profession to make @
living, and it is only additional proof of
his ability that Che Railroad Company
has seen fit to employ him as its legal ad
wiser; nothing more, nothing less.
Again, will any one say that the Con
vention that nominated Mr. Oldham was
controlled by the Baltimore & Ohio Rail
way or any other corporate monopoly
Most certainly not. 1t was gotten up by
Democrats, controlled by Democrats, and
is such nominated Democrat for Con
gress.
All this harrangue about railroads ii
this particular instance is nonsensical ; tc
use the slang phrase, it is ''rather gauzy.'
The man who casts his vote for Wylie Fl
Oldham, the Democratic standard bearer
of the 18th District, be he Democrat OF
Republican, supports an honest man il
the widest sense of the word a man who
upon pledging himself to support th'
platform and principles adopted by tht
Convention that honored him with th'
nomination for Congress, did it with full
faith in the honesty and integrity Of hi
supporters.
Mr.. Oldham is pledged to a platform
of principles, one of the clauses whicl
reads in this way: "That we are opposed
to all combinations and devices Of what
soever character, that tend to increase..h
cost of transportation beyond fair re
muneration to the carrier land we demand
the exercise of all constitutional power
to remedy existing evils in this respec
and to prevent their occurrence in the fu
ture." Now if this sounds like railroad
interest fail to see it, and if the mai
who stands upon such platform sis al
instrument in the hands of the Baltimor
& Ohio Railroad or any other "evil'
monopoly, language fails in the interpre
tation, that's all.
The people have spoken in Conven
tion honest men of both parties com
prehend the situation of affairs, and righ
alone will ultimately triumph, misrepre
seatations from any source to the contra
ry notwithstanding.
Won't some one through The SPIRIT
give US cheering Woru from tue "uarl
hills ?"
Won't some Granger respond and ev
erlastingly nail some of the circulated
reports in this section concerning thei
opposition to the Democratic candidate
for Congress
| Quite number of our citizens have
gone to attend the State Fair at Colum
bus, which commenced yesterday. 4
good time is anticipated.
The Marietta boys are now engaged il
hunting up old army blankets and tent
preparatory to camping out" at the Sol
diers' Reunion at Caldwell, on the l5tl
and 18th of this month. The Morgan
raid tin cup militia are securing up thei
tinware and propose going up with tn
regulars:
"When the general roll is called
Well be there"
Weather dry AMI warm and street
very dusty. j. E. W.