Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-01-03
Psneilinss BY The Way.
LETTER VA.


This letter shall devoted to West Virginia politics. to
criticism of plans, to consideration of organization
What were the causes that led to unexpected defeat
last November is the question constantly recurring to
every Republican in the State and seldom receives salts
factory answer In the ordinary affairs of life failure and
embarrassment generally raceabe want of attention.
thrift and Men who carefully attend to business BY
watching details and pushing seldom fail As IN
and faulty plans bring heming defeat In
nutshell the digracefu defeat OF the Republican ticket
this State the late election resulted from stu
htst In other words there aggressiveness There
is character the physical world despcable the
cowardcringing apologize and subservient Men
his acquaintance and refuse him their friendship
Carried into politics. cowardice the Of defeat
The people of West Virginia are intelligent. They
open to conviction They listen to argument They deest
support party that apparently lodges issues BY refusing
fair and open discussion This the Republican party failed
to give Outside of Ohio Preston and Berkeley counties the
campaign dragged miserable existence In jefferson
and Morgan few addresses made BY Republicans while
camp fires burning every hilltop. They enlisted the
young mem they made personal appeals to individual voters
they invaded the strongholds of their enemies spirit Of
determination and strife manifested which added inter-
est to their efforts On the other hand apathy and dsoan
leaders longer but lodged every chance meet the
questions of the day and consumed valuable time mapping
club organization which struck the heart of
democracy was non and the men were compelled
to fight individual battles without the engineering care and
wise counsel of older heads
This all wrong. There are men the Republican
party of West Virginia who the Wanting schoas
tics and eete theorists of Democracy open debate, and
who would willingly do So did their county committee
ner Hubbard and Atkinson of Ohio county Fos Cox
Baker of Monongaia Elliott Dawson and Morley of Pres
of Harrison Evans Fedt Wisner and Pzer of Berkeley
These mainly in organzation-emb leaders
every willing meet and capable of contendng with
the Democratic debaers practical discussion Why
they not permitted push the opening work of
Elkns and Gof made early in The campaign Simply be-
cause OF the overbearug procedure of county committees
Simply because I" kckers demanded quiet campaign
Why That their devilish, cowardly and traorous
work might be effectively covered up Or possibly it
was reflex of the plans of the National committee advoca
ed nf
the will of the old warhose of practical politics. Clarkson
that Of apolcgizing for policy and principles
The Republican party generous. 1t makes apo
ogy for right and fails to visit nquiy with punishment 1t
has been marveousy mercul enemies and tmorous
unjust its friends 1t has sought find for
ganzed violence and has failed avenge the slaughter of
the innocent 1t has so magned the glory of forgiveness
that has forgotten the condition of penence which
ghfuy stands 1t has feared the suspicion of harhness
toward fallen foe that it has dared stand by rights
of that whose liberties it willing embroil conti
nent in strife to achieve. While condemnng the abstract
principles of those to whom it was opposed it has tendery
spared personality of its opponents While denouncng
the methods of its enemies it has awarded unsned and
to its enemies milk and honey and putting gall
and NORWOOD to the lips of its friends 1t has demanded
of those who serve it. than human perfection In
those who opposed has excused the barbar
ISM Smitten upon cheek, it has not only turned the
other but crnged begged
of another out Claiming the highest devotion principles
its leaders hae been ashamed to be accounted paans
right From the very day the downfall
the Republican party been tender apoogst for
natural outgrowth of the principles which it combaed in
earlier days. has sought forgiveness from its enemies
if had been the aggressor has only condoned
of the past vaorousy forget there
ever was any right 1t has not only restored to the
ed enemy the sword of power but has invited its embroca-
ton in the blood of the innocent 1t has refused wound
the tendeest feelings of its former foes but has shut its
while they have slaughtered more of its allies peaceful ct
zens of the republic than slain any battlefield Of
the rebellion Hence the old spirit that waged In 1860
is superseded by this conciaory, weakly ofsprngd still
hunt The party felt in November. 1t defeated in
West Virginia by overworkng mercy from Astounding
fear lest it should be unjust 1t defeated by continual
prasng of its foes and disaragement of its friends 1t
defeated because its humility was great that it feared It
might become vain glorious 1t defeated because it
had performed all the good needed to be
feared lest in zeal had gone too far and done
much
" 1nshayogue forgets not Republican virtues. He is
writing in this vein awaken the aspiration and dauntess
cation in West Virginia men with courage to maintain their
convcons who will face accident Senator Faulkner
and theorist Congressman Wilson, with determine
ton to unve their weak and vacillating smaness who
traitors Congressional Chairmanshps and Secretary
ships who not welded to democratic friendships who
will permit the of Republican achievement be
dimmed by the clouds of naction and dupicity To this
end plans must be no made or defeat will again occur
There be intimate association of county leaders,
and above ALL there must be State chairman. He
be thoroughly with the dangerous practices
unscrupuousness of democratic leaders, He willing
No in the State these REQUESTS such
nent degree Hon. G. w. Atkinson, of Wheeling, and
better qualified to lead the dsorganized Repub
cans victory in 1892 He is feared by Democrats and
loved by Republicans. Having selected him, give Daw
years of solid organization Form clubs, recognize the
young send literature discuss the moral and nation
al features of the party Do this and carefully advance
with cowardy assistants and West Virginia will be the
first State in the South to break its solidity
~ - -
Thus begin The first victory is half the battle won
When organization is perfected with
call the best speakers State Pay expenses
necessary and send them every school house and
road to preach the gospel of and Repucansm
The principles of the party lofty heaven itself and
its history has stained pages Whenever the people have
had wrong redress the Republican party redresed
it. Whenever there has been occasion
that would protect citizenship and property the grand old
Republican party has stepped promptly the and
afforded the ampest protection. believes in equality
of worth and respect 1t believes that America best
tected by the fostering continuing influences of tariff
1t believes that wherever deserving wounded
found who rendered helpless unable easily gain
livelihood by devotion his flag and country during
of bloody and rebellion it is the sacred duty
the to render him speedy and substantial
assistance 1t believes shorter hours labor
proving the great of the country
ca management honest administration of the govern
men promoting the interest and material good of agrcu
ture 1t has given the country four years
FORM peculiarly patriotic and sincerely American Then
with such code of belief and such record Of work. why
should any Republican oppose discussion of political
questions Why remain inactive and trust to fortune
bring victory There of leaders in the party who
court discussion who will meet the weakly equipped cham
pons OF democracy Give them chance before the people
to strip off the masks of their enemies and
have been their dealings with the people
~ 80 -
The Republican party learn again the its
earlier 1t must evil triumphant and peril mpend
ing, before rally its forces again. 1t undergo
come objector Instead of defending The
habits of thought of Of century must be
ed and the struggle of generation be again commenced
Positions be taken and held Doubters
Organization must be effected and from quarter
combined advance must be made should
next but should stand under the OF