The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-04-17
Editor Democrat

~ f'tAtS ~SSs' " sS'-f1
had a friendly chat. 1 DO not
know how 10 better improve this
cold snowy day, and dispel the
gloom from within and without,
than by communicating with you,
providing the good intent is agree
able to TIE DEMOCRAT; if not, you
know where the basket is,and waste
paper is. in great demand.
For II long while back | have had
in contemplation a visit to some
old war friends who reside in Brax-
ton. We had not met for years.
Early in March [ started on my
journey. Our meeting was most
cordial, and TO your correspondent
at least Of the most pleasant char
actcr. The glowing descriptions
Of that favored county fall short Of
reality. The beauty of scenery, The
excellence Of soil, and inexhaustl-
bic mineral wealth beneath, must
within Il few years convert it into u
perfect garden Of eden. The en-
tension of your narrow gllage road
10 Sutton, the removal of obstruc-
tons on Elk River, with better
care Of her roads, would open the
way. Force of circumstances must
bring about Il much needed revolu-
ton in our State affairs. Tie
middle counties have heretofore
been criminally neglected BY mar
row-mindcd, selfish politicians.
The more advanced sections, bor-
doring OH other States, have alb
sorbel everything, TO tho utter dis
regard of what they call tile back
woods country. The day is dawn
ing when they will look with dis
may at their short-sightedness;
and, nolsss rotens, Braxton, Web:
ster and some other counties now
ignored or sncerc,I at, will shake off
their shackles, and boldly march
10 the front rank.
Politics were already the order Of
the day in Sutton. The telephone
DR.. Newton vas establishing from
his office 10 the drug store was
more interesting 10 your eoTrea-
pondcnt. Still he could not fail to
admit the truth Of certain state
ments. For instance, BraXton
county's record is as clenr, if not
clearer, than that of many who
have been repeatedly rewarded for
party iealty, by placing their IA
vorcd sons in places Of honor and
we recollsct that when Mr.. Gun
ningham was brought forward as II
candidate for the Office of Auditor,
Braxton, though her representa-
tive. whose business qualifications
are well established, did not re-
csise at the Convention in Charles
ion barely n honorable recognition.
1t is thought that Mr.. Cunningham
will DO Il candidate again. Now as
then he completes with one of the
most popular men in the State
one who during his term of office
has given perfect and general satis-
faction. Rotation in Office WAS
once the Democratic lliIe. The
query is, have Democratic princl'
pies generally gone the way the
woodbine twineth? Has the. old
ship I.ocofnco been utterly
wrecked? Did the Jefferson stand
atl go over the board with the
rigging, 10 be replaced by Il con
servativc iury-mast?
Whether Braxton's political f.
deity be rewarded or not, there is
one point that should not be for
gotten BY whatsoever has not n
boiled beet where his heart ought
to be, unless they are Of the bloody
shirt persuasion, Braxton's Federal
soldiers met their Confederate
neighhors, when they stacked arms,
with open hands. They stood
shoulder to Shoulder with them
during tho gloomy period which
followed the cessation, not Of hos
tiIitics, but Of wholesale plumber
and bloodshed. They wsrs the
first, and necessarily advocated the
restoration to political rights and
the repeal ofall obnoxious disqual-
flying edicts Honor beto whom
honor is due! In one shape or an
othcr,appreeiation Of the act should
be shown.
In Webster the horizon is as yet