New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-25
WE.ST VIRGINIA..

II is time for West Virginia to become
steadfast Republican State. Not another otaVe
in the whole Union owes more TO the poiicy
of the Republican party, not to speak Oh HS
birth as free State and separation from VIZ
pinia. When one considers its wonderful
wealth of coal and ore and facilities for pro-
ducton, lying but few years ago yet unde.
veoped right in the heart of the older nall OF
the Nation, and then the splendid progress ule
State has made under the Republican poncy OIL
Protection. more than doubling its voting pop
ulation 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 Democrats had nearly
IA. 900 plurality, in 1880 about 11,oOO' IN
1884 only about 1000, and in 1888 only 5o2'
In these years the Republican vote has grown
from 42.69S in 1876 to 1864 in 1855 more
than so per cent in twelve years, While the
Democratic vote gained 22,461, or less than
40 per cent. The growth of mining and man
ufacturing. of a diversified industry and general
prosperity, is everywhere fatal to Democratic
supremacy. and during the last ten years, while
the gain in the whole State has been 23.3 per
cent. and every county shows some increase
the gain In the coal and lumber counties has
been greatest, in Mcdowell 1877 per cent, IN
Mercer ia. in Tucker los, in Fayette 10, In
Cabell 70. and in other such counties the gains
have been large Republican voters have gone
into the State to help the development OF Its
resources. and many who believed in Demo
cratic Free Trade have learned by observation
and experience that it is a good thing for a
State IN establish within its borders market
for its farm products and for It's unemployed
labor. The Republicans have gained so fast
and so steadily that West Virginia ought now
1 n he placed and ever after kept in the column
of Protective and progressive States.
Work will be needed in order to bring on,
full vote when an election comes, but 1t Wouio
he folly to neglect the far more important WORK
Of education and conversion, that there may Dc
q handsome surplus of Republican voters to Dc
called ont. The leaders in that State are MOI
permitting such folly, but their efforts should
he zealousy supported by thorough and well
disciplined organization, reaching every part O
the State. by an army of resolute and untlrins
workers, and by all the assistance and sym
nathy which the more fortunate Republicans o
neighboring States can give
This is the time to educate voters, so tina
they may understand the questions at issue
II they are shown, in straightforward anc
practical way how the Republican policy ha
opened mines and planted works in their State
how it has made their land more valuable an'
multiplied the nearby and more profitable mar
ket for farm products, how it has brough
millions into the State in the building of rail
reads and manufacturing works to aid the de
yelopment, how it has added to the wages o
labor and offered opportunities to ALL Their
will be more West Virginia votes for Protec
ton next year than ever before, and ma
iority so strong that even Democratic tricker
and control of the machinery will not avail.