The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-10-28
Mr.. Wilson's Campaign fn the
Second District.

in only snatching victory, as it were,
from out of the very jaws ofdefeat in
the Second district. or, il ON the other
hand he had lost the district by a
much greater majority than has at
any time been supposed, there is
every reason for congratulation in the
one case, and there could have been
ne cause for Democrats to be sur
prised in the other.
1t is seldom that seat in Con-
gress, especially in these latter times,
he's been won against greater odds,
under such adverse circumstances,
with so little expenditure Of time,
labor, and money by the successful
party, as entered into the Democratic
campaign in the Second District.
There was, indeed, less occasion for
surprise that the First District was
carried by 1900 majority for the Re
publicans, than there would have
been, under the circumstances, if the
Republicans had captured the Sec
ond by that majority.
The nomination was thrust upon
Mr.. Wilson as a compromise of a
bitter feud in the Democratic party
that involved the district from one
end to the other; it found him alb
sorbcd with the urgent and exacting
duties of President of the State Uni
versity at the beginning Of the year,
when both the duties wore new to
him and the demands upon his
strength were most trying; it came
within twenty days of the election,
when if there had been railroad com
munication to every county would
have made it impossible to give more
than one day to each county of the
district; as it was, by rapid moving,
he was only able to visit eleven of the
fifteen counties; he found the effect
of the feud lingering like pail over
the party; there was no enthusiasm,
no work, no organization. no activity
of any sort. The steady rains of the
first few days Of his canvass broke
up the meetings and made travel
almost impossible; the farmers were
busy with their fall work, and would
not leave it for political meetings;
and in the meantime his opponent
had travelled over the entire dis
trict, had set his party to work,
supplied them with money, and
whatever other ammunition was neccs-
sary to perfect the organization and
get ont the Republican vote.
What cause of surprise therefore,
is there that the Democratic majority
was so reduced in the Second Dis
trict? What cause ofsurprise is there
but that the Democratic candidate
was not defeated by an overwhelming
majority?
There is one more fact in connec-
ton with Mr.. Wilson's candidacy
that deserves a passing notice. 1t
has been charged that he has drag
ged the University into politics"
and done injustice to himself and
that institution BY accepting the nom
nation.
If Mr.. Wilson had sought this
nomination or had accepted it under
different circumstances, there might
have been some show of reason for
this accusation. We have hereto
fore remarked that it was unfortun-
ate that the nomination should have
fallen upon Mr.. Wilson just at
the time when he had prepared
himself for the work and had already
entered upon the responsible du-
ties Of the presidency of the, Uni
versity.
But Mr.. Wilson did not seek the
nomination to Congress; he was not
placed before the convention by his
connivance or consent; the cOnven-
ton did not consult or communicate
with him about his nomination; it
took the responsibility of thrusting
the nomination upon him, and then
adjourning sine die within twenty
DAYS of the election. Mr.. Wilson
had but two alternatives, and they
we're to accept or take the response
bility of allowing the election to go
by default. What man in the same
position would have done differently
He has retained his position in the
University from necessity. He was
under contract to serve year in that
position. In the event of election OF
defeat, it was better that he should
retain it, and that he has done so has
met the sanction of the friends oil
that institution.
Take it all in all Mr.. Wilson will
have nothing to regret from his course
and the Democracy of the State will
rejoice as much over his election as
of any candidate on the COMPRESSION
al ticket.-Register.
The Meaning Of il.