The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1890-02-12
The Duty OF The Lenders of
The lsarft


The Register: The experience of
the past two years teaches the lead
ers of the Democratic party in West
Virginia a lesson to which they
must give the most serious heed if
they intend that the party shall re-
tain its supremacy in this State.
They see in the greatly reduced
Democratic majority the result of
over-conidencc, or apathy, and lack
of organization.
With an organization equal to that
of their opponents, the Democratic
majority of 1884, instead of being so
greatly diminished-al swept
away-would have been proportion
ately increased, for the Democratic
cause was just and righteous and
the majority of the people favored
it.
But in practical politics, as dearly
bought experience teaches us, a
cause can not win by the sheer force
of its righteousness. 1t must be
backed and supported by well
equipped organization. II it is not,
nothing can save it from defeat.
In the campaign of 1883 the Re-
publicans relied solely upon organ
ization. They had the most com
plcte, effective and perfect organi-
cation that the political history of
the United States has ever seen.
Their cause was unrightcous ard
corrupt, but they won the Presiden
cy through the marvellous efficiency
of their party machinery BY the
same means they came within an
ace of taking West Virginia from
the solid Democratic column OF the
South. The practical politicians OF
that party thoroughly realized the
value and imperative necessity of
organization and to perfecting their
party machinery they devoted their
strongest efforts. The National
League of Republican Clubs, a
great political machine, manipula-
ted by the National leaders of that
party and having an effective wheel
in almost every town and village
in the United States, is n monu-
ment to the political sagacity of the
Republican leaders, and won them
their national victory in 1888.
That splendid machine is still in
existence and as effective as ever.
1t is still in in existence in this
State and as powerful as it was in
1883.
Do the Democratic leaders of
West Virginia realize this fact? Do
they realize that unless they Offset
this machine by similarly effective
organization that the party will
meet defeat at the next election?
The campaign is already on. AL
ready Republican, clubs have been
called to meet in this city this
month to oil up the party machinery
and marshal the party forces for the
next campaigns work. A similar
convention for the same purpose has
been called to meet in Clarksburg in
the near future aa a9 H.
The Republican politicians and
their organs are openly boasting
and evidently believe that they will
win this State at the next election.
They will do it, unless the Demo.
cratic leaders bestir themselves and
thoroughly organize the party.
What better time, or moro aus
picious occasion for this work than
the present. when almost all the
prominent Democrats of the State
are assembled together at Charles-
ton? 1t is late even now to begin
the formation of u thorough party
organization such as is necessary to
the success of the Democracy of this
State, but it must be done, or there
is no alternative but defeat.
We believe that every Democrat
now in Charleston realizes the i'm
portant truth of these plain
words. Lot them, therefore,
not hesitate or delay, but get to-
gether at once, organize and place
the party in condition to meet its
thoroughly drilled and equipped foe
in the coming campaign, which will
be the hardest ever fought in this
State.
The means the Republicans used
in the last campaign they will use
again. Forewarned should be fore
armed. Isl
Col. w. n. Chancellor, of Park
ersburg, is being spoken of as the
proper man to lead the Democrats