West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-09-07

3 ofthe convention werethere 30 ear /
~ out a slate, which slate did not in
yolve the nomination. Of particular
men but had for its object the defeat
OF every one wis refused to submit
to the Ring and especially the old
Judges. An earnest plea was made
in private conversation that harmo-
nv should be restored by having on
the ticket representatives of each
wing of the party and this could
have been done by the denomination
of the Judges. But the reply was:
1--WE intend to crush every man who
sided with the Kickers." In other
words the majority under the con-
troll of the Ring managers intended
to crush every man who dared
countenanee the proposition that the
common herd of voters have some
rights which should be respected af-
ter a man has been elected to the
Legislature. In plain English, the
proposition was to crush every man
no matter what his ability, no mat
ter how steadfast lie has been in the
Democratic faith, no matter how
true he has been to duty;-every
man is to be crushed who raises his
voice for the rights of the morgan
lied masses.
The deed has been done. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether the people
will ratify it. For myself my blood
boils with indignation. / come OF
Democratic stock and am as devoted
to the principles of the party as any
man can be. With me Democracy
means manhood and open dealing.
1t means discussion, publicity and
fair dealing with voters. 1t means
that the first duty of member OF a
Legislature is to carry out the will
of the people he promised to repre-
sent. But band of pirates have
seized the ship while the crew slept
and have subverted every principle
of party management and party act
ion which Democrats believe In.
The men who have undertaken to
conduct this campaign hold secret
meetings and whisper together.
They are more anxious TO conceal
their plans from the body of demo
cratic voters than to conceal them
from the Republican leaders and the
utmost secresy is observed as to
what will be.their line of battle. 1t
is known, however, that their plan
is to bring foreign speakers into this
State and by combining discussion to
national issues distract attention
from State affairs. They will talk
about the Mormons, our Navy, the
Surplus, Trusts, corporate wealth,
public land given to railroads, test
oaths and Republican corruption of
twenty-five years ago. Everything
viii be avoided tending to set the
people to thinking about State affairs.
Nothing is to be said about the coal
and lumber agency on the G. d 0.
and nothing about the combination
to keep down the price of crude oil
and to prevent competition among
the buyers of logs. Cleveland and
Thurman will be lauded to the skies,
but no mention will be made of the
fact that the machine were determin-
ed to defeat Cleveland's nomination
until they found that he was strong
er than the machine elements of the
party and was stronger because the
people believed that he is opposed to
unclean methods and corrupt prac-
tees. 1t is indeed humiliating that
the party in this State has fallen so
low that those in front must rely
on foreign speakers to win for the
party Il public confidence which our
local leaders do not expect for
themselves.
VERITAS
4th District, Aug. Is.