The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-11-22
GEN. GOPP'S METAL
An Eastern Papers Estimate of the Man
who Has Broken the Backbone of the
Solid South.

An Eastern Papers Estimate of the Man
who Has Broken the Backbone of the
Solid South.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 2l.-The Press Of
to-day says editorially:
The dispatch signed by General Golf
and printed yesterday claiming his elec-
ton as Governor OF West Virginia, will
be accepted by the intelligent people of
the country us proof that an honest ma
jority OF the votes in that State were cast
in his favor. The bearing OF General
Gofrall through the controversy US to
the result in West Virginia has added to
the reputation which he had heretofore
acquired for discretion, courage and
trustworthincss, and his statement will
be received us settling the dispute so far
MS the ballots could doit What schemes
the Democrats may have in store with
which to alter the will OF the people time
can only tell, but the courageous asser-
ton of General GotF that he will call in
every legal aid, ii needed, to obtain his
rights can be accepted as proof that
there will be no tame surrender to fraud
in the count.
General Goir, who thus becomes the
first Republican Governor elected in
West Virginia since 1865, and the first
in Southern State since 1880, when AL
/ vim Hawkins was chosen the Executive
Of Tennessee through asplit in the Dem
ocratic party in that State, has had u
distinguished career for man only 40
years Of age. The metal he has shown
In the long fight for Republican su-
premacy in West Virginia was early in
inaniiesting itself. 1t took him us a
private into the Federal army immedl-
ately upon the surrender OF Fort gum
ter, and while he was young man OF
is ut college. II came out conspicuous
ly again in an incident which occurred
while he was serving four months
imprisonment in Libby Prison. He was
selected us OF the hostages for Con-
iederate Mai. Armsey, who had been con-
demned to death as u spy by the Union
authorities. Instead OF pleading for his
own life, however. young Goh wrote to
President Lincoln saying: "lt Major
Armsey is guilty he should be executed
regardless Of its consequences TO me.
The life of u single soldier, no matter
who he may be, should not stand in the
way Of adherence to a great principle"
Te people OF West Virginia have
evinced on many occasions the high es.
timation in which they hold General
Goh. The first time he was a candidate
for Governor he was defeated, but ran
ahead Of his ticket in every county in
the State, although the campaign oc-
Cured in 1876, the year in which public
sentiment in the South was bitterly in.
censed against every Southerner wearing
the badge OF Republicanism. Since
then he has served in the Legislature
been United States District Attorney
was in President Hayes Cabinet as Sec
retary OF the Navy, and is now serving
his third consecutive term in Con
gress rs the representative o
the First West Virginia District
General GotI7s career is without
; blemish and every honor that has CONT
| to him has been the Just reward o
merit. He has had no adventitious cir
, cumstanCes to aid him, but has won hi
: place in American public life througl