The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-09-21
A WEST VIRGINIA. CONFEDERATE

To HIS Late Companions In Arms
Reasons Why He Cannot support the
Democratic Ticket.
Ash Confederate soldier, In theTwenty.
second Virginia regiment, 1 served with
yourselves during the entire war. Like
yourselves, fought to establish Con-
federacy, Independent Of the United States.
Accepting the surrender in good faith, l
regarded 1t as final and conclusive settle
ment Of State Sovereignty, and as a COM
plete assertion OF the supremacy Of the
Union and the Constitution. Since
the war have acted with the Demo.
cratic party, voting It's ticket and up
holding It's organization. Reaching the
conclusion that the ascendancy of that
party would DO hurtful TO the country and
destructive Of your interests and mine, ]
offer some Of the reasons which, in
my judgment, impel the Confeder-
ate soldier to sever his connec-
ton with the Democracy. Our fdel-
ity 10 one another and to the fortunes OF
the South, has been played upon by the
Democratic leaders for unworthy pur-
poses. They profess a tender sympathy
with the misiortules OF ourselves and our
section, only to advance themselves by our
votes, and TO place us In that position OF
antasonism to the rest OF the country
which obstructs the progress and hindefs
the development OF the Sonth. They
would have us TO believe that the extreme
doctrines Of State Rights can be success
fully asserted at the ballot-box; yet each
succeeding attempt in that direction only
aronses against us the prejudice OF the
great majority OF the American people,
and gives them reason toimpeach the sin
cerily and honesty with which we laid
down our arms.
Acting as the absolute owners OF our
votes, they require us to cast them for a
Presidential candidate who must either be
false to the cause for which he. fought, or
unfaithiul to the principles which the
Democracy seek ~ assert by his election.
As plain, frank man, cannot be q
party to such political jugglery. Having
done all that man can do to promote the
theory Of State Rights, j decline TO fol-
low the leadership Of men who now
seek TO revive an issue for which,
when it was living, few Of them
cared to fight. The purpose of the
Democratic leaders to perpetuate section
tionalism, Is plain and incOntestible. The
spirit Of seciionalism may inure TO the BEN
eft Of q few who would work upon South.
ern passion for their own profit. A wise
craftsmanship would seek TO allay the
animosities OF the war, and compose the
Southern mind for the pursuits OF peace.
A sectional party in the South is
constant bar TO Southern prog
ress and development While II rests
upon the votes OF poor men and laboring
men, It despises and degrades the labor
by which the poor man earns his bread.
Securing these votes by loud professions
and multiplied pledges, the leaders Of
West Virginia Democracy have spurned
the very promises upon which they have
been trusted, and now demand a new
lease OF power, upon q record which 10
written all over with violated faith and
dishonored obligations.
LISA matter OF public notoriety, that
five gentlemen, representing this State In
Congress, have formed an oitice.holders'
corporation, and that the time that ought
to have been spent in the public service,
and the money paid for such service, have
been employed in promoting schemes TO
parcel places among themselves and their
followers, and for controlling conventions
and elections in the name OF Democracy
and in defiance Of the public will. This is
autocracy, not democracy. Comrades,
shall we longer tolerate such political
Syndicate?
In 1868, II was Democratic to pay the
public debt in lawful money; in 1872, the
extreme hard money theory was asserted.
In 1876, it was Democratic to oppose the
Resumption act; and, in 1880, II is Demo-
cratic to adopt Republican platform on
financial queetions. In 1872, the previous
Democratic doctrine on tariff was aban-
doned, and the question RENTED to the
Congressional districts. InlSs0, the doc
trine OF free trade Is asserted in the Dem
ocratic platform, and not even promise
OF incidental protection to home indus.
tries Is given. In 1856, 1t was Democratic
TO assert: "2. That the Constitution does
not confer upon the general government
the power to commence and carry on a
general system OF internal improve.
ments;" In 1880, 1t is Democratic for q
memUeT Ol OunBIebh run luls llbLiGt W
advocate and vote for "a general system
OF internal improvements"
Such glaringinconsi such trifing
and shutfiing with principle, can only ex.
cite disgust.
We recall the brilliant promises Of the
Democratic party whenit came into power
in this State. We reap the fruits OF its
administration in increased taxation, d.
lapidated school houses, impossible roads
and dangerous bridges.
There Is feeling widespread amongthe
people that there should be change for
the better; that new lie should be infused
into the blood OF our young State, and
something done TO stimulate the indus
tries which, properly tostered, shall make
us what we ought to be IN the develop
ment Of material wealth-second to no
State Of our size in the Nation. The Dem.
ocratic party will never do It, Let us give
our aid to some party that will.
Your Comrade,