The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-12-09
West Virginia Republicans.

nblican states. IT the forces marshaled
} hold her to her present moorings were
lrice as potent as they are-and with
tandard oil as the chief factor, they are
owerful-it would still be fight against
be inevitable. Year by year the Demo
ratio majority diminishes-year by year
mother of its strongholds yields. And
very Republican step forward is per-
nanent gain. The advance partakes more
# the character of seige than a sudden
INVASION. No brilliant leadership stands
orth conspicuous the skillful exercise OF |
,arty tactics plays but an unimportant
part. Republicanism in West Virginia is
/ growth strong, deep-rooted, and full OF
he history of its progress is
the history of the material development OF |
the State. With the opening of mines
and establishment of manufacturing in
dustries has come. the change of political
faith. AS the forests have yielded their
treasures, and the wealth that has slum-
bered for centuries was brought into ac-
tive value as the hut upon the mountain
side, barren of comforts and but q bur-
lesque on home, has given place to the
neat cottage where well requited labor
finds it's rest, SC have the forces of Re-
publieanism, silently yet effectively, pene-
trated the thick crust of prejudice to find
a permanent lodgment in the very hearts
of the masses. The infusion Of Northern
enterprise and capital has wrought
change in political sentiment second only
to the industrial revolution that followed
swift in its wake. The working people
were the chief benefciaries of this new
order of things, and the first to recognize
its full significance. They had been
taught to regard Republicans as the nat
aral enemies of the South-the advocates
of social equality, and thousand lsms-
whose only mission was to humiliate and
degrade our people. Their coming was
looked upon with distrust. Every step
awakened new suspicion every move
ment excited a fresh fear. But the in
vaders seemed unconscious Of the regard
in which they were held. They set to
work to dig out the iron and coal; to
clear forests and build houses. Their
money found its way to every man who
was willing to work. Their coming put
comforts in homes where want and pen
ury had hitherto reigned, and changed the
bleak. desolate mountain sides into busy
scenes of activity. With the diffusion of
material benefits, came real understand
ing of their purpose. 1t was not to de-
grade the South : it was not to humiliate
her people. 1t was to upbuild the one and
make prosperous the other. AS these re-
suits became manifest new light began
to dawn in the political world. They who
had been so STEPPED in prejudice began to
do little thinking for themselves to
inquire into their own interests and ask if
after all Republicanism were as black as it
was painted, and to contrast their own
condition with what it was ere yankee
thrift and enterprise had found their way
into the wllds of West Virginia. The
answer has come in the gradual revolu
tionizing of the mining districts of the
State. These whilom strongholds of Democ
racy have been transformed into.citadels
of Republication. Take Kanawha and
Fayette counties for instance. A year OF
two ago they were overwhelmingly Demo
cratic. Now the former gives from / ,00(
TO 1900 Republican majority, whilst the
latter comes up with about half that mum
Der. The State has changed, under the
same influences from 5000 democratic tG
hut little more than half thousand, and
the legislature is SO evenly balanced that 8
change of fifty votes, in the last election
distributed in the close counties, would
have given a Republican majority in that
body
In contemplation Of. these results every
public schools, in the new state, sees spec
ial cause for rejoicing. Last week Re
publican banquet was given at Charleston
to which a mum ber..of guests were invited
from various parts of the State as we'll as
Ohio and Virginia. That busy little city
was selected as the scene. of the love feast,
not only because it is the capital of the
State, but for the further reason that the
county in which it is located had, in the
the recent election. rolled up big ma
jority for state Senator Carr, and secured
his election from that Senatorial district.
After series of short speeches in the
Opera House. by General Grosvenor, of
Ohio, and others, to large apd happy au-
dience, an elegant banquet was served at
Hawks restaurant. There, from mid
might until morning, the enjoyment of
rich yiands, the clink of the glasses, and
happy responses to toasts, continued. 1t
was season of revival, the fruits of which
will not pass away with the effervescence of
the champagne. The commingling was
not merely. of politicians Business. men,
working people and representatives OF
trade and industrial effort were gathered
there, to talk oyer Republicanism in its
broader and better sense and to more
closely knit the ties that bind them to a
governmental policy. the results of which
must measure the future progress Of the
South
1t is this awakening to the practical
effects of protection this enlistlng of the
business interests in State affairs, that is
to bring about not only the development
and upbuilding of West Virginia. but of
every mineral section south of Mason &
Dixon 8 line. 1t is a work too big for
mere politicians. A little more of the
spirit of West Virginia Republicans is
needed. That spirit which does not hest
tate to stand out boldly for its interests,
or reach forth its hand toguard and secure
its possessions. The business elements in
the South, as rule. have been too exclu-
sive. They plainly discern the right path
and rejoice if step forward is made
therein, but when it comes. to guiding
public opinion and showing their faith by
their works, they shrink back, and leave
the direction of party affairs to those who
in many instances have but slight concep-
tion of governmental questions.
If every man in the South, who believes
in protection, would not only vote his
honest sentiments at the polls, but would
strive to show to those with whom he
comes in contact that there is practical
side to politics that issues of state do