The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-03-10

By the strife Of parties. which shall be
just and impartial, frustrating every
evil intent OF the State. protecting all
and opposing mono.
The majority Of The States now have
their traditional policies, which have
been fixed for years in the minds and
hearts of the people, while the policy Of
our State may yet be said to bein tho
process Of formation. To avoid errors
which it may 10 difficult if not impos-
sible to correct in tho future, demands
the united wisdom end cordial cooper.
alton Of all, whatever mny 10 tic party
ties md political ends. who arc inter-
ostGd in tho good government aud ad-
yanceuont Of the State.
II we lsok back % the comparatively
short period which has elapsed since
the beginning o. the civil war. We haye
great reason TO rejoice at The harmony
which now prevails. among all Of the
eitizOus Of our State, hOwGvcr. widely
md diSorderly mud bitterly they nay
have differed in the past.
The condition Of West Virginia, or
which is now West Virginia, during
the war now ut its close was very ua-
like that Of any other State. The pco.
pie Of the Northern States. with rare
exceptions, were thoroughly united in
tho support Of the government of tho
U1iOu. Tho white population Of t'c
Southern states. with but equally rare
exceptions were thoroughly united 10
au allegiance TO the causo secession
Hare the native population was about
equally divided in sympathy, conduct.
mud active support. between the cause
Of the Union aud tho cause of the Con.
fedcracy. The contest was thoroughly
iuteruccinc. Each community wss di.
vided ,und many families had their rep
resenta,iyes 10 both armies. When
the war epGed the most hopeful who
asxiuusly desired tho establishment Of
q perfect peace. looked forward to a
long period to DO characterized by feud,
AMI strifas bego,tcn of the war. Il
was, US NO then .tousht, not uureason.
ably apprehcnlod that for many years
the political parties Of this State would
BE- purity OF Uniouists and party Of
Contcdcrates.
10 tue credit Of the intelligence,
temper. patriotism and hearts Of OUT
people be it said, these appreheusious
were happily grOundless. There has
been hero. in degree unsurpassed and
perhaps unrqualed elsewhere. re.
newal of good feeling Tho legitimate
results of the war have been accepted
in good faith, aud political parties IRE
no longer aligned upon tho dead issues
Of the pass. We haze ceased to look
back mournfully. and have
/, +" Let the dead past bury LIS dead"
aud With reorgauized forces have moved
up to the living issues Of the present
1t is rue that in an animated campaign
such as that through which We have
just passed NO !" do as adyersaries dc
in Law; strive nightly, but eat and
drink as friends" Ane when the con-
test is over only short time is ueees'
sary to allay its auimosi.ies and we
unite in an effort to give to our stats
40 increased and permanent prosperity
We recogaze an! admit the fact tina,
as all citizens contribute to support the
government all arc equally entitled tC
its projections and should DO consulted
in its administration.
When this stuse of feeling is fully REQ
ognized, and the great material resour.
ces Of the State be made generally
known. we may confidently expect an in.
aux of capital and immigration Va
now have system Of free education
which has been pronounced by most
competent judges one Of the best and
most elhCiant IN tho Union. Our public
institutions arc we'll organized .skilfully
aud economically managed. The mere
exhibition at the Centennial Exposition
Of specimens Of our minerals. agricultu
raj products. aud manufactured articles.
so many Of which were sent from this
city Of industry and successful eu,erpri.
scs, has attracted attention in an unusual
degree to our State. With preserved
and increased harmony. q law.Abidiug
spirit, code Of just laws, the right oil
freedom aud property assured, We may
confidently expect ut an carly day II
prosper ity and future 10 the Uuioa
unsurpassed by many ofths older States.
The interest Of each individual, not only
in political affairs proper, aud in public
enterprises, but ID the affairs and Indus
tries Of his immediate neighborhoOd, de.
.termiue, to a great extent, the progress
Of State. Prosperity cauno. b. OBJ.
tanned by Legislation alone. Indeed, a
few laws we'll executed arc better than
u,any siumbering upon the statute
books Of q code Of conflicting enact
meutj. Not uufrcqueutly is it that leg
islutiOu is much more beneficial which
repeats laws rather than increase their
number. Tho smaller, more simple
aud comprehensive tho code. tho less
lgtigious and more prosperous will be q
people.
For some months matters transcend.
lns 10 interest aud Importance the af.
liars Of any State. because they relate to
aud yIlalIy affect all Of the States, have
pressed upon our attention. I clunot
omit to refer 10 what should b. u sub
ject Of congra,ulatien to every patriotic