Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-07-10
CONVERSIONS THAT DON'T CON.
VERT.

Since the Chicago convention the col
umns Of Republican organs have been bur
dened with alleged conversions CT lifelong
Democrats The nomination of HARRISON
was heralded with the announcement that
prominent Democrats in the North and
East were fiocking to his support. Not a
day has passed since then that some lynx
eyed journalist has not dived into the
political depths and "yanked" forth a
Democrat Of life long standing" ant
paraded him as q new disciple Of the
Chinese monopoly idea. These enterpris-
Jog politicians have succeeded in mislsad-
ing no one by their pernicious and per-
sistent lying. They cannot make the
country believe that intelligent and honest
Democrats will leave their party in any
numbers, for q party whose leaders are
identified with every idea and association
obnoxious TO the greai masses of the PEG
pie. The Pittsburg Republican organshave
been particularly active in this honorable
and effective kind of campaign work. Our
own penny-a-liner, the IntelfigeRcer, has
followed faithfully in their wake. Al
though the conversions so-called, that
they have been able to rake up are neither
numerous nor formidable, it is well that
their descent into the lowest slums of par
tisan lying can be exposed. Speaking Of
these the Pittsburg Post says:
The Republican papers of Pittsburg, and
particularly the Times, have ever since the
Chicago convention been perniciously &C
tive in circulating falsehoods about alleged
conversions of Democrats to Republican
principles. In not q single instance, SO
far as can now be recalled, has the truth
been told. On Friday morning the Times
Published that John Lemon, the fire brick
dealer of Allegheny, and Captain Hazlett,
of the same city, had Topped to Harrison
and Morton. This WAS another stupid lie
stupid from the fact that the Times de-
liberately put itself in the position of be-
ing proved liar. Ordinarily Republican
papers and politicians are not stupid when
it comes to lying for political effect, bat in
tbs matter of foppers the Times seems to
be lsboriDg under spell Of mendacity
that is really distressing. Mr.. Lemon
called in person on Saturday at the office
of the Post and said:
THE story in the Times that Captain
Hazlett and myself have Joined the Repub-
lieans is an unqualified fslsehood, in
tend to vote for Cleveland and reform, in
stead of war tariffs and monopolies. and 50
will great many other alleged Hopping
Democrats whose names have been pub
lished in the Times and kindred journals. !"
The publications that Charles F. Nc
Kenna and James Powers, both well.known
Democrats, had left their party, were also
ialsehOods. Even Thomas NJ. MsrshalPs
statement that he would vote for Harrison
was joyfully hailed as an accession. Though
kicker, vigorous and eefectiye kicker,
whenever the opportunity offers, Mr.. Mar
shall has never been anything but q Re-
publican. But his announcement that he
will vote for Harrison is qualified by the
statement that he is in sympathy with the
Democratic platform. He is opposed to
war taxes and monopolies. There is hope
for GLORIOUS Old Tom" yet. 1t Is not
impossible that the November day which
sees him deposit his ballot may see 1t cast
for Cleveland and reform.
These are fair samples of the Demo
cratic fops" that have been sounded 50
loudly and so long. They are based on
the flimsiest pretexts and the shallowest
lies. The people will not be deceived by
such stupid mendacity, and the organs
that are so busily engaged in the work
could better employ their time in the paths
of decent journalism.