West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-06-01

feel as we do are lukewarm in the
coming campaign, this State goes
republican.
We are aware such frank talk is
very unpleasant to men who have no
thought except personal advance
ment. but party success is of more
consequence than the fortunes of a
handful Of politicians who dread the
drudgery of earning bread in the
walks Of private life.
1t is fashionable to boisterously
proclaim that "West Virginia is all
right" We heard such statements
Just at this season of the year in
1886. The loud noise then made
did not deceive us and we printed a
prediction that our majority in the
Legislature would not exceed five or
six. 1t is now an open secret that
the State was lost and was only
saved by the use of money in three
Republican counties. In this COM
ing election the money will be on
the other side.
Weare truly sorry to have to write
in this way. 1t wou,d be far more
agreeable to do as others who think
with us are doing, and to stand
aside silent while the ship is run
ming on the rocks; but since we pub
lish this paper, it seems q stern du-
ty to put in print what ought not to
be longer suppressed. 1t is a great
mistake to suppose that a newspa-
per, if managed to make money, will
sacrifice profit to conviction. Such
a paper is never embarrassed by
conviction but panders to any pass
ing delusion or tries to manufacture
any transient public opinion that,
for the time, is a source of profit. If
this was that sort of q paper there
would be no duty resting on us to
publish matter which brings against
us the displeasure of politicians who
give Editors money and Federal of
fee. But this is not that sort Of
paper. From the first day it was
published we have declared that it
was public paper as distinguished
from the ordinary private paper and
we profess to have no motive except
the good of the body Of the people
and, making this profession, we are
bound to conceal nothing which the
rank and file should know. The let
tiers coming to us from the different
parts of the State are conclusive
that we possess the confidence of
thoughtful citizens. We are truly
sorry to interfere with the personal
schemes efgentlemen who are frant-
ic for office, but to suppress what
we print would be to betray public
confidence we have tried so hard to
merit. We cannot suppress matter
which our readers want and which
they have a right to expect we will
publish. Perhaps the day may
come when this paper will be too
poor to be Independent; perhaps the
day may come when it cannot afford
to live up to its professions. but if
that day comes some other hand will
write for these columns.
We truly regret that our self-re-
spect and sense Of duty will not per-
NIT us to join in the present policy of
our so called party managers in this
State:-they are fiddling while the
ship is running on the rocks. The
noise and empty declarations may
delude simpletons but, unless a new
policy be inaugurated, next Novem-
Der will find this State in the hands
of the Republicans.
(The space at our command is
exhausted.
We see but one path out of the
woods. Plant the party squarely
against the doctrine of protection.
Tell the people that if We carry the
election we will surely abolish every
tax except that for revenue. Let it
be understood that every tax like
that on coal viii be repealed. Make
the fight in Wheeling. Let Hurd,
Beck and John J. Davis meet the
workingmen OF that city face to face
and expose the delusion that protec-
ton helps Labor. Nominate Davis
for Congress, and give as the reason
that his past life stands sponsor for
his future conduct. The nomination
of Davis will necessitate "a fight to
the knife" between the money of