The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-10-21

lowing letter from one OF the best known
Democrats in this section of the state
explains itself and will doubtless be
read with much interest everywhere:
| @. l. Dunn, ESQ.,, Chafrm1n RepHG,ioaR Committee,
Red Sulphur District. ". Va
DEAR SIR:-The Cleveland and Thur
man Democratic club met few even
ings ago at a point, near CloVerdale, in
Red Sulphur district, for the purpose OF
discussing the issues OF our present po-
litical campaign. A number OF Repub-
licans were present, among whom was
Lewis Ballard, ESQ.,, an old respected
citizen OF Monroe county, who proposed
a joint discussion with the Democratic
speakers, which was acceded to by the
members of the club. Mr.. Ballard was
to represent the Republican party in
this Joint discussion and John w. Ball,
q young attorney OF our county, was to
represent the principles OF the Demo-
cracy. Mr.. Ballard. as you know, is
rigidly honest, bnt fearless in his de-
nunciation OF wrong, and usually exhi-
bits more than Spartan courage in de-
fence OF what he conceives to be the
principles Of right and justice. was
not present on the occasion, but /
have been creditably informed by both
Democrats and Republicans that Mr..
Ballard did justice to the cause that he
represented and was more than match
for his learned antagonists.
Mr.. Billiards. speech fairly bristled
with facts, that doubtless sounded the
death knell to every sentiment OF nom
protection and free trade, by which
many OF the good, honest citizens Of
our section have long been deluded
and misguided. His arguments in
favor of protection were so mastery
and unanswerable that his opponent
was forced to bow his proud crest in the
humiliation OF the conquered.
There is one other thing connected
with this meeting that must mention
to you. Mr.. Billiards. speech created
ouits a sensation among some OF the
members Of the Democratic. club at
that place. Many OF them cried, Pull
him down." Drag him out" While
he was on the stage imprecations and
threats we're heard from some in the
building. while those on the outside.
were yelling like band of infuriated
demons. It is thought that if it had
not been for a few of Mr.. Ballard's
friends who were present he would
have been driven from the house. Yet
Mr.. Ballard has lived his three score
and ten, and his head is white with the
frost OF time.
/ trust that our community will
never be afflicted with such a disgrace
full scene again. Are our Democratic
friends in favor OF muzzling the press
and suppressing the freedom OF speech
Are we 10 return to those dark days OF
political intolerance and bigotry that
we have hoped had passed away forev-
er? Are there men in this county OF
Monroe SO grounded aud rooted in po-
litical prejudice and animosity that
they are not willing to hear the truth2
| think self-respecting and liberty-lov-
ing Democrats ought and will denounce
such outrages and injustices as danger
Gus and inimical to the best interests OF
our people.
In this age OF development and pro.
gression, everything seemst to be moving
forward except the Democratic party,
which is retrogressive in all its opera
tions and tendencies. We unquestion-
ably have the best monetary system the
world has ever known, yet the Demo-
cratic party has pledged itself to re-
turn to the old wildcat banking
schemes, that would soon flood the
country with uncertain, unreliable and
irredeemable local issues, again annoy.
ing the people with the inconveniences
and losses that followed in the wake OF
similar schemes in ante-bellnm times.
Many of us have long marched to
the drum.bcat OF our Democratic bosses,
led on by that miserable hoax, the
demand for tariff reform" l have
always believed in protective tariff
system-aprotection to American work
ingmen against the pauper labor OF
Europe, but at the same time believed
that a wise revision OF our tariff laws
would provo beneficial to the working
classes of people in our country. be.
lieyed that the Democratic party was
the party that would give the people
this needed legislation, but that very
party, in its national convention at
Chicago few months ago, with incoui-
elastic hand, destroyed our idol OF
tariff REFORM" and comes out boldly
and denounces the protective policy OF
the government as fraudulent and un-
constitutional Now what can we hope
for from Democratic administration
except wildcat money and free trade?
Are we going to repeal those protective
measures that raised our country from
comparative obscurity and caused her
to shine with matchless splendor in the
bright galaxy OF nalions2
| have ALWAYS been o Democrat. /
was rocked in the cradle of Democra cy.
/ have voted with the Democratic party
for twelve years; but am to continue
with party whose proposed line Of
action, whose principle would, II carried
out, inevitably plunge this great nation
OF ours into paralysis and stagnationP
Can /. as a conscientious voter, vote
with party whose chief delight consists
in going back and delving among the
rubbish and debris Of efiete and defunct
institutions that expired with the times
and circumstances that gave them
birth? Ianswer the question; l can
not.
/ am no longer n Democrat. My hand
and my heart are now with the Repub-
lican party, the party Of progress, the
party whose motto is "0nward and for
ward" the party that stood at the helm
Of our old ship OF state and directed her
through the storms and porilous scenes
of one OF the iiercest civil struggles re-
corded in tho annals Of time, and by
wise legislation has made US tho great
est nation in the world.
lam mot actuated by any prejudice;