West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-01-27

the manchinery of a convention, as
to foist machine man upon the
Presidential ticket.
The Presidents position to-day IL
lustrales more forcibly than we
could have anticipated, what the
DEMOCRAT has always insisted; that
fraudulent concealment of views
from the masses and secret conspi
racies to wheedle the people into
voting for the tools of ring, can
have no permanent success; while
candor, truth, nobility of character
and the fearless adherence to prop
er and wise measures, are a tower of
strength to which the masses will
rally.
True, the reptile as well as the
eagle may reach the top of the pyra-
mid; but once in fair view, no mis-
take is made as to which is the dis
gushing creature, whose hidden
course is traced by the silvery slime
it left, as it stealthily crawled along
on its belly. Nor need any one ask
why the eagle is admired, and the
other abhorred Human instinct
has through all time, despised the
serpent; while the other has been
the emblem of elevated greatness,
because it belongs to the sun-lit
heights, and conscious Of its power
seeks the upper atmosphere, careless
of exposure or attack.
Let not the lesson given by the
President to the Nation, be lost to
the Democracy of West Virginia.
Before many months we will at the
polls be answering the Output ques-
ton: Can the Republicans carry
this State 2" The result will de-
pend upon the course taken in the
meantime. If the Democracy of
this State is fairly treated and fair
ly represented in the coming conven-
tions and in the candidates, tue
boasts of the Radicals will prove as
false as their political creed; but if
a gang of small-fry trimmers under
take to pack the assemblies, where
the masses have q right to Il voice,
and ifthey succeed in defeating the
popular will by putting up tools of
a ring, where high-minded men are
demanded,-we need not hope either
by flattery or false pretense to avert
a crushing rebuke.
Our voters have protested against
such things for the last time. Hav-
ing the power, they will next wipe out
such men and such measures by
clean sweep. That designing men
may not pretend to be ignorant of
what we mean, we will specify few
things of which all hear constant
complaint. The State needs some
wholesome legislation, regarding
land laws, taxation and finance, the
regulation of railroad freights; the
bribery of officials by free passes;
the discrimination among persons
and places by public carriers; the
uncertainties of judicial proceed
ings; the delays of justice; the i'm
provement of juries; public institu-
tons; the suppression of crime and
lawlessness and numberless other
matters. This list is but q hasty
mention of some things that 95 out
of every hundred of our people be
lieve need correction. They, also,
know that among them are men able
and capable of framing intelligent
laws on these questions, but they
look into the Legislature as actual
ly constituted, and find that the
men capable of remedying the evils
complained of, are not devoting their
attention to that business, and are
on the contrary more or less active
in suppressing remedial measures.
Then, when it is remembered, how
''the fellows that get there" came TO
be sent, little wonder that no good
is accomplished.
The difference between proper and
improper methods is understood.
In some counties, a general turn out
of the people has been sought; and
the earnest citizens Of disinterested
purpose, have announced their ideas
of what kind OF man they want
they know such neighbor, who is
square and honest and capable
They nominate and elect him; and
we are thankful to say that several
such worthy representatives thus
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