West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-04-20

this time the most powerful infuen-
ces known to our civilization have
been exerted to blind Labor and in
duce il to so vote as to enrich the
rich and widen the gap between the
palace and the howell. A thousand
eager tongues found profit in argu-
ing for the money power, and no one
had, or could have, a pecunlary mo-
tive to undeceive Labor by explain
ing that protection is simply a cum
ming scheme to pluck geese without
making them cry. Politicians acted
on the theory that it was easier to
fool Labor than to instruct it. Ii
public speaker had too much pride
of character to lend himself to false
hood and deception, he was not in
vited to speak in manufacturing
town like Wheeling, nor was he wei
coined to a mining camp, (unless he
favored tax on coal.
1t were idle to print more of these
facts which are known to, and un-
derstood by, every thinking man in
this State.
In view of these facts, it is evident
to us, the Republicans will carry the
State unless we correct, within the
next six months, delusion which
is the growth of twenty years.
1t is simply absurd to suppose
that any sensible man will vote for
a Democrat If he wishes the present
tariff continued. Democratic sue
cess means tariff for revenue only;
it means that taxes shall be levied
only to raise revenue, and not to
build up millionaires like Carnegie.
This is the truth and it cannot be
hid or suppressed. If a miner is
under the delusion that he is bene-
flied by protection, he will not vote
for a Democrat whose professions
are contrary to the actions of his
party.
Certain politicians who have here
tofore heartily cooperated with pro-
tectionists like Mr.. Randall are now
intimating that the Mills bill does
not touch any protected industry in
West Virginia, and that, so far as
our local interests are concerned, the
Democratic policy will be the same
as that of the Republicans. This
lis blatant falsehood. If we carry
the election, the Mills bill will be
followed by similar measures until
| the tariff tax is restored toa revenue
basis. A majority, an overwhelming
majority, in the Democratic party
| intend to break down. and wipe out,
a system which taxes 100 men to
enrich one man. This is the truth,
and no amount of lying will deceive
the protectionists.
We we'll know certain politicians
will say that this editorial is inexpe-
dent, and while true, ought not to
be published. Such remarks ema-
nate from men who expect to sue
coed by cunning and deception: they
do not propose to deal fairly with
the people and they can neither com
prehend nor tolerate journal which
refuses to practice concealment.
We firmly believe this State will
90 Republican unless Labor is made
to understand how it is being rob-
bed by the present tariff. We are
perfectly certain that miners and
mechanics can be walked up from
the delusion which now makes them
so blind to their own interests. This
State can be saved only in one way:
there must be bold, aggressive, de-
fiant canvass by men who, at heart,
are opposed to a policy which i'm
poverishes the many to enrich the
few: papers like the DEMOCRAT must
be circulated among the miners and
mechanics aud this must be a cam
paign of brains, ideas and arguments
as distinguished from campaign of
organization and the corrupt use of
Federal patronage and money.
Perhaps we are mistaken: perhaps
the best way to carry West Virginia
is to lie and to buy votes. If such
be the case we do not understand
the genius of our people and what
we write will find few endorsers.
But one thing is certain, the politi
clans who succeed by falsehood and
corruption will surely betray con-
stitueney to advance their own per-
sonal ends.
Whether West Virginia goes Dem