Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-01-27
HON. CHARLES J. FAULKNER, OF
w. VA.

Prominent in the list of those Sena-
tors whose public records and services
their States must either endorse or re-
pudiate in 1898, stands the name of
Hon. Charles J. Faulkner, OF West
Virginia.
While it is far from our intention to
intermeddle in any way in the do
nestle political affairs of West Vlr-
ginia, yet when the effects of the &C
ton of State cease to be local, and
involve not only the interests OF her
sister States, but the sentiments OF
their people, we feel our right to speak,
and on this occasion, from the stand
point of Virginian and Democrat,
to express those convictions which we
feel must animate and influence every
advocate and admirer of the political
principles of Jefferson and Jackson.
The return of Senator Faulkner to
the high position he now so ably fills
will be, not only graceful acknoWl-
edgment by his State of his public
services to her and to the nation, but
simple act of justice to every other
State in the Union for whose rights to
local self-government and freedom
from Federal interference in domestic
affairs he has so powerfully and sue
cessfully done battle.
Senator Faulkner's ability as states
man has won for him honor and pc
sition among his Senatorial associates
regardless of party, while his public
record during his four years in the
Senate, has received the unanimous
commentator of the Democracy OF
the whole country, and has been SC
consistent in its principles and sterling
in it's Democracy, that it has risen
above all party criticism. His public
utterances, whether in the arena OF
Senatorial discussion or on the stump
before the people, have been bold,
fearless, and above reproach.
Stimulated by thorough knowledge
of the value of his services, and i'm
PEELED by widespread sentiment In
favor of his reelection, West Virginia
form her bounden duty in returning
the one man above all others who has
done most to increase her dignity Ill
the Senate and the country, unless her
people desire to repudiate those prin-
ciples of Jeffersonian Democracy and
popular Justice of which he has been
an answering advocate, exponent and
supporter.
Unless she desires to adopt the prin-
ciples of protection, and give her form
al assent to system of class .legisla-
ton, corporate robbery, and individual
rapacity, she can never afford to with
hold from the conduct of her chief OPP
ponent of this vicious policy her COM
mendation, endorsement, and ap-
proval.
Unless she proposes to stamp with
her sovereign appreciation that out
rageous monstrosity of partizan vii
lainy, the Force bill, she can never al
low herself to repudiate and condemn
the action of one of the foremost and
most uncompromising of those Demo
cratic leaders to whom she and her
sister States owe their freedom from
bayonets behind the ballots of their
citizens, intestine discord, and possibly
internecine and fraternal strife.
Every State that values the sanctity
of her political institutions, autonomy
and sovereignty, will look to West Vir-
ginia for a prompt, unanimous and
unequivocal approval of her Senator
and his record, and we have no doubt
that she will measure up to the full
standard of her duty,