Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-03-30
THE POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
TEE CHARLESTON CONVENTION.

THE POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
TEE CHARLESTON CONVENTION.
The Democratic Convention of the
Third District did more than nominate
n successor to Senator KENNA.
1t indirectly disclosed and determined
the present and future political status
In this State.
1t did both these things well and con-
elusiyely.
1t LEFT no doubt on the one hand Of q
Democratic successor to Mr.. KENNA
who will hold that District and repre-
sent his State in the National Congress
with much the same young vigor, en-
thusiasm, efficiency and scceptability
that his predecessor has done.
1t left no doubt on the other hand, Of
the solidity Of the Democratic party in
the State, of the harmony and homo
geniety of its organization, and Of its
supremacy in the State by satisfac-
tory and increasing majority.
For some time past the Republican
leaders Of the State have been looking
to the Third district with ray Of hope
that they would shortly be able to
effect a sufficient disintegration Of the
political elements Of that section to
work the overthrow of the dominant
party in West Virginia. Recognizing
that the rapid development of the
Southern section and the increase and
changes in its population opened IA
vorable field for political tillage, and
that the prospective location OF the
State Capitol there would make the
Third district point Of such political
prominence and importance that Its
possession by either party would insure
its political control Of the State, they
have given special effort to the work Of
capturing the fort through break in
those Notifications. They have CO.
auetted with the Greenbackers, they
have fused and fused with every ele-
ment of dlsaffection, and have fostered
the idea that this stronghold of Democ-
racy in the State was gradually weak
ening and whitening away.
We are not certain but that this inn
preston had gained a foothOld to a
greater or less extent throughout the
State. The Greenback party of the
Third District has heretofore been
stronger than in any other section, and
it is no news to say that its forces were
drawn from the Democratic ranks. II
was the disintegrating force that the
Democratic party had most to fear, and
as was very natural, the Republicans
worked this lever for all there was In it,
and had it not been for the innate and
absolute incompatibility OF sincere
and congenial alliance between the Re-
publicans and Greenbackers the former
would have ere this successfully used
the latter for their political promotion.
But the Greenbackers of the Third
District are returning to their old allie
glance. They are, at least, grounding
the weapons of their warfare against
the only party outside of their own or
ganization, with which they have any
sympathy, and with which they can
consistently cooperate. If they have
not abandoned their own Organization
they have, at least, indicated their
choice between parties when their own
fails to accomplish its mission. The
open, straightforward and manly
course of the Hon. HENRY 5. WALKER,
who has been the recognized leader and
fqciIes priRceps of the Greenback organ
ization in the Third District and State,
leaves nothing to mere conjecture as to
what the attitude of the Green5ackers
is and will be in the politics of the State.
His speech in convention was bomb
shell to Republican expectations that
will have doleful echo in every club
and conclave of the party throughout
the State.
The Charleston Convention. We say,
settles the political status of the State.
If there have been any misgivings or
mutterings of dissolution or defamation
in the ranks Of the Democracy the de-
lusion has been completely dispelled.
If there is any lack of loyalty or organ
ization in the Democratic party it makes
no sign from the great and growing
right arm of the party in the Third Dis
trict.