Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-09-05
WEST VIRGINIA.

1t is time for West Virginia to be-
come a steadiast Republican State.
Not another State in the whole I'm
ion owes more to the policy of the
Republican party, not to speak of
its birth as a free State and separa-
ton from Virginia. When one con.
siders its wonderful wealth of coal
and ore and facilities for production,
lying but few years ago yet unde-
veloped right in the heart of the old.
er half of the Nation and then the
splendid progress the State has
made under the republican policy of
protection, more than doubling its
voting population within twenty
years, the wonder is that in such a
State there can be found any Demo.
Gratis or opponents of Republican
Protection.
There are not relatively as many
as there were, for in 1870 the Demo-
Gratis had nearly $4,000 plurality, in
1880 about II, 900, in 1884 only about
1000, and in 1888 only 552. In these
years the Republican vote has grown
from 1908 in 1876 to 1864 in 1888,
more than so per cent in twelve
years, while the Democrat vote
gained 2,461, or less than 40 per
cent. The growth of mining and
manufacturing, of a diversified in.
dustry aud general prosperity, is
everywhere fatal to democratic So.
premacy, and during the last ten
years, while the gain of the whole
State has been 1913 per cent, and
every county shows some increase,
the gain in the coal and lumber
counties has been greatest, in Nc.
Dowell 1877 per cent, in Mercer ia,
in Tucker 1O5, i'll Fayette rs, in Ca
bell y, and in other such counties
the gains have been large. Repub-
lIcan voters have gone into the State
to help the development of its re:
sources, and many who believe in
Democratic Free Trade have learned
By observation and experience that
1t Is a good thing for State to es.
tablish within its borders a market
for its farm products and for its IN q.
employed labor. Tue Republicans
have gained SO fast and so steadily
that West Virginia ought now to be
placed and ever kept in the column
of Protective ana progressive States.
Work Will be needed in order to
bring out fnl vote when an elec.
ton comes, but it would be folly 10
neglect the far more important work
of education and conversion, that
there may be handsome surplus Of
Republican voters to be called out
The leaders in that State are not
permitting such folly, bat their eff
forts should be zealously supported
by a thorough and well disciplined
organization, reaching every part o.
the State, 10y au army of resolute
and untiring workers, and by all the
assistance and SYM athy which the
more fortunate Republicans o.
neighboring States can give.
This is the time to educate voters
so that they may understand the
questions at issue. If they are shown
in a straightforward and practica
way, how the Republican policy ha:
opened mines and planted works ir
their State, how it has made theil
lands more valuable and multiplied
the nearby and more profitable mar
ket for farm products. how it has
brought millions into the State il
the building of railroads and manu-
featuring works to aid the develop
ment, how it has added to the wages
of labor and offered opportunities tC
all, there will be more West Virgin
lans who vote for Protection next
year than ever bei"rr. and MAORI
ty so strong that even Democratic
trickery and coHtIol of the machine.
ry will nor avail Ne'o York Iri.
bune.