The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-08-07
everywhere as tho account Of an episode
in the annals OF criminal executions
worthy OF tho strictest investigation.
Mr.. AtLipsDn,A Declihnilon.

The decllnation OF MIR. Atkinson leaves
tho way open 10 all Republican a%spirants
for Congressional honors In this district.
As long "a there was a likelihood that
no would accept n denomination from
tho convention there was n manifest dis
position 10 stand aside and lot the well
deserved honor be conferred on him
with all possible u%nauimtty. Everyone
recognized that no. only precedent but
all the peculiarities Of Mr.. Atkinson's
unparalleled contest gave him IN un.
usual claim on tho good will and hearty
endorsement Of his party. So general
waa this recognition among Republicans
throughout tho district that 1t was cor.
ceded that no ono would contest the
nomination with him In the convention.
1t was only when he recently indicated
10 the Washington correspondent Of
tho ISrRLLloENcrR bis purpose not to
seek a ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to be In the
field as a candidate-ihat other names
began to DO canvassed openly AZ posi-.
bio candidates. And even then there
was apparent hesitation all along the
line 10 enter tho lists Ms rspirants for
his place, for fear that something might
unwitliDgly be done to jeopardizc har'
mony in the convention aud success In
tho canvass.
Practically, all were ready to SEQ the
convention renominate Mr.. Atkinson
unanimously, and practically, therefore,
no has surrendered unanimous renom'
~ination by his rc.announced determine
ton to DO considered out OF politics IA q
candidate.
The IsTELLIGEScEn happens TO know
something Of tho reasons, personal and
domestic, that have impelled Mr.. Akin
son to this conclusion. They hinge or
his recognition Of tho fact that he can
not do justice 10 the obligations that art
near and dear to him by accepting {
second candidacy. Business opportu
mites have opened to him that he feel
he cannot ignore and that he mus
forcgo If he enters upon a second tern
in Congress. He therefore declines t
be considered a candidate. AS a mater
OF duty to his family he lays down RI
honor that was his to command.
This resolution has cost Mr.. Atkinson
many poignant regrets. No man is more
%congenially placed than he is, and Away
was, in a political canvass. But no mar
knows better what it costs to be in poll
tics, and no man has made more sacri
fees to uphold his rights as the elected
representative Of his party. These sacri
fees, as we all recognize, entitle him t.
all the usages Of politics for further
honors, but they also entitle him to pu.
aside, at his own instance, said honor!
in discharge Of more sacred and impera
tive duties.
Mr.. Atkinson is not the man to will
ingly ignore any duty to his party, ant
il he felt even now that he could do NOR,
for the district OF the party in the com
ing canvass than any n else he woult
be tempted at any sacrifice to accept tn,
nomination. But he does not feel THU
way. On the contrary, he recognizes
that there are others who arc willin.
and able to serve the party in his stead
and upon whom it entails no pecuuiarJ
hardship 10 DO so, and because Of THU
fact he has felt at liberty to decline tn,
nomination for a second term in Con
grcss.
The 1ETELLIGENcER believes that the
Republican party loses a strong, il moi
its strongest, candidate for a Congress.
slonal nomination, by reason Of Mr.. AT.
kinson's d~eciination. He has conducted
four successful campaigns in this dis.
trics, and has never yet loat a battle,
Thisis a record to be proud OF, especially
when We consider the odds that con.
f1onted him in 1883. Only a man OF his
f.cile and fertile ability could have sue
ceeded against such odds. He is q
marvellous organizer and worker and
knows no such word as surrender. We
needed such q man in the past and we
will be fortunate, indeed, il we can com
mand his seryices in the future.
A GREAT EVENT.