The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-08-15
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/ Aa"Aui anu SAhN'ekrh SAFSHN'tAAN9t et4'
for destroying the sinking fund, and 70
forcing the State to borrow money to NEE
It's obligations. He continues:
AS these things became known a deel
impression was made upon the democrati
mind. Every year for years past, as con
ventions and elections came round, ther
were neutrality-suspicious. ofunrest rising I,
the surface, and at last In the aggregation
OF continued wrongs and abuses the surg
ing pillows OF discomfort and dismay begal
to rise and to toss.
To such a dangerous height did thes
discontents rise that it was found neces
sary by all that there must bea change Il
save the party from total wreck.
In 1870 1t was 30 understood. The i'm
perative demands OF the party and OF til,
people for reformation and for amendmen
were to be observed. The memorable
convention OF 1879 unanimously mad'
aCCordant declarations, which COutd-n
be misapprehendeu or eYaded withou
malice prepense, and unanimously nomi
mated ticket. .....-,.--..-
It will be admitted that the expectation
raised by the declarations aud acts Of thu
convention were not answered. He show
In detail that the Democratic Legislature
OF 1880 was false to almost every promise
Then, to summarize: The Legislature o
1880 alb j led OF office, $500, ,!reduced ont
salary $50O, and reduced the expenses 0
the oyster service $500, only touching
these, and none other. Was it for thiI
that the harmony OF 1879 was invoked
Was 1t for this that solemn pledges o
economy were made, the canvasJ con
Quoted aud the fopular heart OF the party
fired?
1t may be truly said that there Wal
nothing that WIS enjoined by the Demo
cratic platform in respect to economy tina
was regarded. In fact, it was established
that there was nothing in the Democratic
platform that any oiiiceholder had righ
10 respect. There can be no reasonable
excuse for this great delinquency in no
passing the expected and necessary meas
ures Of reform and economy. The Lsgis
latrre refused TO pass any measure OF re-
form. All such were rejected and neglected
Discussions, distrust and irritation followed
the knowledge ofthis. Itprotoundly moved
the Democratic conscience, and twas oMl,
in the hope OF better future by the un
selfish and devoted masses OF the party
that prevented au explosion that woulc
have shattered and scattered. In this con
dition we have passed through the canvas
OF 1881, meeting with reversss in some o
our strongest Democratic counties, and be
cause OF which our Democratic ascendencl
in the Senate is now in peril.
The lessons OF severe experience dit
US good as party, and il may be as indi
viduals; 1t taught that the people would no
be rltled OF their property or deceived il
their trusts, nor the party stript OF il
character or its pledged faith dishonored
In respect to the session OF 1882 Wha
was then done? It gives me pleasure t
state that there was a substantial improve
ment. Something was done, but no
enough, but enough to hope that more vii
be done, to the final consummation OF al
sound and needed reformation.
THE RING MUST GO.
It failed to fill the measure OF our hopes
and once more, as in 1881, protestation
and demands are made for the full, over
flowing measure. 1t is the cause of th
party and OF the people against a fortified
disciplined and selfish personal power
and 1t requires intelligent and earnest &C
ton and honest voting to resist It's aggres
sions, repel its assaults, and drive 1t iron
its strongholds.
The Governor names q long list Of Office
which he says are merely part of the ma
chine and oughtto be abolished.
In respect to the proper means 10 secur
the reformationS made you are as well abl
to Judge as myself. This Is no longer deal
ing with facts or politics, but with opinions
can only venture to suggest that you re
main good aud true Democrats. Banisl
intrigue from your presence. Insist upoI
fairness in all things-for fair and pur
primary meetings, for fair and pure ant
Just and free conventions-fce from favor
eumily or prejudice for or against any one
free FROM all pledges but that for the goot
o. the cause and Of the State and OF tn
people. Factions and tepds in the interes
Of individuals or for personal power vii
be made 10 disappear-and the persona
power that would seize the authority tha
alone belongs to the party would dissolve
] am Democrat haye always been I
Democrat-no better, however, than you,
trust. am too old TO change. The settlet
convictions oil lifetime that 1t was rigb
TO be q Democrat are not to be revoked
especially tor temporary or tfansien
causes.