The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-04-24
The"Martinsburg Statesman.

From the Greenbrler Independent.
The Statesman has adopted the "rulo
or ruin policy" and has announced in ad
vance that if one Of the gentlemen
named by it as acceptable is not selected
as our standard-bearsr by the Conven
ton, and another gentleman upon whon
il chooses 10 make war, without even
knowing him personally, is nominated
that il (the Statesman will make wal
upon the nominee and accomplish his de-
feat. In word, the Statesman, with
striking modesty, undertakes to declare
to the party who shall be its nominee for
Governor.
Now we, and all true Democrats, in
tend to have full and fair Convention
and whether those we prefer are nomi-
mated ar not, we propose to support the
nominees. Just the reverse is the posi-
ton taken by the Statesman, but when
pressed for the reasonso of its opposition
to Mai. Matthews, can only say that "he
is the apple of the eye OF the Walker
Baker Burdett ring" &c. Now. of the
existence of any such ring we are pro
foundly ignorant, and IL this or any other
political ring ever had existence in this
State. we are sure that Maj, Matthews
knew as little Of it as any one, and has
ALWAYS been further from being con-
nected with any political clique than
those who insinuate such u charge.
In politics, and other wise, he has been
guided solely by high sense ofduty and,
time and again, has acted, contrary "
his immediate interests and incllnatlons,
in strict conformity TO his sense OF duty.
No one was more earnestly opposed to
the removal OF the Capital than he, yet
when the bill was passed, believing II
was constitutional, be so declared, and, as
was his duty, maintained its constitutions
ality in the Supreme Court BY an argu.
ment, every position OF when
was sustaind by the opinion
of the Court. When he was
the nominee of His party tor the office oi
Attorney General, he was assured BY the
friends Of Gov. Jacob in the Third Dis
trict, that he would receive their votes
if he would not take part in the canvass,
but he rejected such a proposition and de
cisred that he would work for the success
of the entire ticket and canvass thor
oughly that district which he certainly
did.
Again, when he was asked by the
Auditor TO give his official opinion as to
insurance fees tor guidance in the future,
no one knew better than the Attorney
General that whatever his opinion might
be il would be severely criticised, but
as the statute made it his duty "to give
his opinion and advice in writing, when
ever required so to do by the Governor
or other officers at the seat OF Govern.
mert, or by the Board
of Public Works" he con-
sidered only kis.duty and gave an opin'
! ion which, outstanding the carpine
of those who either do not know. ol
knowingly disregard the law, has been
pronounced correct by the sblest lawyers
of the State, and which was accepted BY
the Senate with but two dissenting voices
as shown BY their votes in the case OF tht
Auditor.
Now, we cannot foresee whom ths
Convention may nominate Tor our mex
Governor, and, unlike the Satesmdn, W.
do not pretend to point out the proper
man for it to choose, but should it be it.
pleasure to nominate our tovnsmau ane
feilow-citlzeo, = Henry NJ. Matthews
whom We have known long and inti
mately, and in whom We have nevel
found any fault 1t will give US grea
| pleasure 70 give him our earnest, heart,
aud sincsre support and this, We have NJ
douhs g. thA Selinr OF Ill true Demo
crsts Of this Ststs.