Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-03-20
COMMUNICATED.
THE ELECTIONS NEXT FALL.

.ts.
No. 3.
We write TO arouse the people to the
importance of selecting the most eff
cient men for the Legislature. The
near future is big with momentous
events. A crisis is impending. Our
political system is about TO be changed.
He who does not see that this Repub-
lie is drifting into an Empire is either
ignorant OF history or else gives no at
tention TO current political events. 1t
is impossible, within the limits of pub
LEGATION OF this character, to explain the
dangers which beset our civil liberty.
1t must suffice to say, that those now III
possession of the Federal Government,
are determined to retain themselves III
power and that they are supported ny
the great moneyed interests OF the coun-
try. In struggle between official rank
and capital on the one side and the
great body of the people on the other
side, the odds are as hundred to one,
in favor OF rank and capital. But if the
effort to establish centralized govern
ment succeeds, our civil liberty is gone,
and then comes the graveyard quiet OF a
despotisIn.
Three things may be considered as
reasonably certain: Grant will be nom
mated. lie will be defeated by the
people at the polls All the power OF
the Government and all the combined
influence of the great corporations will
be concentrated to effect his Inaugural
ton, in spite of the verdict against him.
These things are reasonably certain, but
fourth thing is as certain as death =
If Grant is inaugurated, thencetorth the
ballot box will have as little Influence
here as in France, Spair or Russia.
History repeats itself and no one who
is acquainted with the events OF the past
will question these propositions.
This alteration of our political system
will necessarily evolve and present to
the next legislature many issues that
will demand the highest order of states
manshp. If we utilize and bringto the
front the best talent in the State, these
issues will be met with prudence and
sagacily: whereas if we elect men who
are incompetent aud uniformed, the
shameful mistakes and the humillatlng
incapaci,y Of last winter will be repeat
ed. For Heavens sake give us al least
one man who will be equa! to the emer-
gency that Is sure TO arise.
Again, the recent decisions OF the
Supreme Court make it necessary so to
amend our jury system as MOTTO exclude
nroros, on account of color. But to
devclope expedient legislation, that will
accomplish the desired result, Is more
difficult task than those who have not
considered the subject imagine. In half
the S,ate,the negroes will not average q
hundred to the county, while in Jeifer
son we have upwards OF AGO to $1,000
white. Hence this is matter OF pecu
liar and pressing Importance to our PEG
pie. But if we do not take care OF 1t
for ourselves, no one will do so for Island
the only way TO influence legislation,
on this CT on any other subject, Is TO be
TtDNtStHltt ny 81 LEN'En'
And again. If the proposed amend
ment TO the Constitution is adopted,
there must be a vast mass OF the most
important Legislation to conform the
statutes TO the change i'll the ConStitu-
ton. On the other hand, if the amend
ment is defeated, then some new legls.
laton is imperativcly demanded to rld
the State of that most wretched nuisance
called the County Court. 50 IN ei'hrl
case, we have urgent need tor comPe'
tent and well informed man to replc-
sent us in the next Legislature.
But once again. The people with
one voice and without respect to party,
demand that their legal rights, as
against the Is. IL Q. II. X. be ascertain
ed and declared by the courts OF Justice,
We want the Ono Warranto resolution
adopted and enforced. We want aman
who cannot he hooted down and
sluelched by the pimps and pensioners
OF this gigantic corporation. We want
a man who can intcliigently examine
and publish to the people the fac's IN
regard to this controversy and who Will
not be hoodwinked by The sophistlies
of the men sent to Wheeling to bull
doze the timid and to whcedle the unln-
formed.
1t is safe to say, never before in our
history, was there a greater demand for
a bold, outspoken, capable and sell re
liant man IN the legislature.
JUNIUS.