West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-09-05
General Butler,s Cnndldncr.

General Buffers Candidacy.
The candidacy of General Butler is
for the moment attracting considerable
attention in the newspa crs and among
the political quidnuncs of the country.
"A lite reflection must convince any
one that as "A National movement. cN-
cept in so far as the loss of the compar.
ativelv few votes he will get may Affect
the Demo ratio and Republican candi-
dates i'm two or three States. the can1i-
da Y of General Butler is an unimpor-
tant political event. General Butler
represents no principle, and no even q
sentiment. He and his followers can
not become the nucleus of new party
lie stands for no principle and i'm no
way that is intellig bile proposes any re-
lorm. lie represents neither revenue
reform nor protection i'm such manner
a to attra the support of men of diff
ierent views ON the sub cct of the tariff
As the candidate of the Grcenbackcrs
he IS the exponent of nothing now at
issue before the country. 1t is utterly
| impossible TO galvaniZc the fiat money
idea into new life. The circumstances
under which tina idea had or cou 4 have
any vitality arc passed and can not again
be revived. The vague name of Anti
Monopolist' is intangible, and docs not
appeal with sufficient dIectncss 10
voters to have any power. The clc-
mcnts of an important and growing or
ganzation are utterly wanting i'm the
schemes Of which he is now tic Ger tral
figure. The history of the country az
fords no example OF n party springirg
| Al D. l..
bile purpose. Men do not in LARGE
bodies, aid through "A period of time
sufficient for relle ton, engage a al con-
tinue i'm enterprises, pol tical or other,
without a strong and well-deined mo-
. tive. They can not be enls ed and
held together without such motive. In
telligent readers need not he told that
the candidacy of General Butler is en-
tirclv wanting in the feature necessary
in the foundation of party.
The initiative of the parties Of the
present, as well as those which have
risen and passed away, had distinct,
/ paramount purpose, which could be
understood and seized upon by tho
people and which capable leaders could
urge with passion and argument. The
antl-slavery movement, which was led
by James G.. Brney in 1870, was in
spircd by n single but powerful idea It
took hold Of the reason and COnscienccs
OF men. Though in that year IL pollcd
but 1853 votes the vital principle IL
represented found n permanent lody-
ment in the minds and hearts OF
millions Of people. In 1914 the same
/ leader received 81, 300 votes. Holdng
up the same leading purpose. in 1913
that party, with Van Buren 2s its can
dldatc. got POI 263 votes In 1852.
John j. Hale, rs its representative, re-
ceivcd l56, 40 votes. In 1896 John {.
Fremont received !, 1886. .j7S votes, and
in 1860 Mr.. Lincoln 1866. .3j2. The
American party with the one leading,
distinct oh ect OF disfranchising or re
ducing to nothing the influence Of
foreign-bOrn citizens in the politics and
government Of the country, i'm 1886,
under the leadership Of Millard Fill
more, polled 81, ,53S votes: again, in
1860, with John Bell rs It's candidate.
hSJ, ,jSl votes. In 1876 the Greenback-
ers, with the central purpose Of making
our circulating medium an unredeema-
bic paper currency, led by Peter Cooper.
pollcd Lao votes, and again i'm 1880.
with James B. Weaver at the head
Of the column, 3O7. .3OG votes. The Tenn
perance or Prohibition party, with the
one oh oct Of curtailing by law or pro
hibiting the use Of alcoholic stimulants,
beaded by James b. Black. i'm 1872.
pOiled J.GOS votes, and i'm 1876. under
the candidacy Of Green Clay Smith.
9.jZ2. ln each instance here recited
there was n reason for action which
could not be misunderstood, and an OBJ
iect proposed TO be accOmpl she'd Tho
candidacy Oi ex-GOyernOf ST. John has
now radical purpose which every sup
porter o. his secs as pla Ely a. the lead
crs themselves do. General Butler s
campaign appears TO mean nothing ~
looks mainly 10 the labor organizations
Of the country for support. While these
arc important, their membership. as
compared with the whole body Of the
industrial classes, Is not great They
are asked 90 throw their votes away, for
not on9 Of them has the slightest hope
Of General Buffers election. That thcv
wiz without tangible object. general
ly do this is extremely improbable. n
is certain that but comparatively few
will do h. The mass OF persons com
posing the labor organization. so far ~
is known. are not much bound bv the
Ties OF party. But like others. they arc
not inclined To- lose their votes on inn
possible candidates The Butler move
mcnt does not, therefore, promise any
serious cOnscIuen cs 90 either party.
and. so faras can now hc judged threat
ems mo- disad yantage 90 the Democrats.
--SL LOuN HDpUbhc4u.
Nas1v who is still nGictug his
bad spelling on the innocent and help
Jess patrons of % country nowspapcr.
declares that John s. Logan sen.
tonrcs arc grammatical and rcblo.
General Logan should have this ccrtiG-
cafe ramcd.