Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-11-20
NO. 33.

Gratis and Republicans in concern
ed the status Is very well under
stood and appreciated that is to
say, so far as the muddIe allows
me Republican party north of us
Is recognized as the old "Silver-
gray wings. And the old ideas
OF the United States bank and tar
! II are clearly manifest la the ma
tional banking system and In our
revenue list. The Democratic par
ty generally Is recognized as. of
old, the spoils, rule or ruin party.
taking up with every prejudice
in every section, anything by
turns and nothing long. With us
1t has Identified itself with the old
war and prosecuted feeling and, as
far as 1t dares to do so, with states'
rights. But before the whole coun.
try the party is exhibited as ready
for any sentiment of policy or
phase OF opinion that will win.
After such an expression of sem
timent as have given, it will
hardly be necessary TO say to YOU
that am an Old Line Wing and
an ''independent scratcher." I
have read Mr.. John Quincy Adj
ans, Jr.'s speech with intense sat-
isfation, and am convinced that
the sentiment and charact, r it dis
plays, which Is the real American
public opinion, is the hope of the
country. And he Is very right In
saying that now Is the opportuni-
ty for the Republican party and
freeman in the South, but espec-
tally in this dear old state OF ours.
Within the past year all that
makes life worth living for has
been at stake-I mean our state
honor. The desperate and ex-
treme radical element of our pop
ulation. under the leadership of
an INSCRIPTIONS man, have mis-
led our people, to our great shame
and almost utter ruin. But thew
are now separated. The Republi-
can element stands respectable In
numbers, and with a good show of
respectable whites. The Malone
faction stands isolated, pitifui In
numbers, as well as In every other
respect. The repudiator has been
repudiated.
Ard now Is the golden opportu-
nifty. There are in this state abun-
dance or old Wings or the highest
character, and plenty of "indepen-
dent scratchers," who have for the
last ten years nauseated at the con-
servative dose that for the sake of
their state and their section thew
have had to swallow. They see
and are satisfied that their section
Is no longer in danger. They
know the negro-aro not afraid Of
his aspirations, but believe that.
rightfully treated, he can be made
a valuable element of our civiliza-
tion-a powerful stay to our insti-
tutions. Will the Republican par
ty have the craftsmanship, the
wisdom, the humanity, the cliIv-
airy to stand by our state, to avow
itself In favor of honor and homes
ty, and Justice? Will it avow it.
self as a true conservative viii
1t treat the colored man with the
good sense discrimination that his
case requires-inviting back to
him the friendship of the whites,
without exciting their animosity
or making him an offence?
AS far as | can see, General Will
liam G. Wickham Is a man as well
rs anyone | know embodying and
representing the party for whom
the way Is now open. If General
Garfield and the Republican party
this matter wisely, great
good will be accomplished, and
Virginia and the South will be
compelled to own them their ben
efactors. III
Truly yours.