Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-07-17
hooking Backward.
IRON tho shspherdstown Register

prevented the choice of n senator for
an entire session. For present pur-
noses NE may accept their version
Of the whole affair. The avowed OBJ
iect of their action was to raise and
purify the tone of politics in this
State-to rescue its management and
administration from the unworthy
hands into which it seemed likely to
fall; and the immediate means
W neither adequate and proper or not
(which they chose TO effect this end,
was the defeat of Senator Camden
The then Governor co-operated with
them TO a certain extent; but lie be-
-see ifsee ttAl4eRs- with constant demands
and entreaties to champion his candi
dacy for the contested seat. This
they steadily refused to do; for it is
obvious that in order 10 justify their
course in so bitterly opposing the
will of the majority of their party,
they must be able to point to record
untainted by even a sus picion of self
interest or of snbseryicncy TO any
rival candidate; they had begun the
fight upon the highest plane, and to
that level they must keep it or fail of
accomplishing their true purpose.
Strange to say, -ese of their num-
ber--and he leader among them
failed to appreciate this feature of the
situation. AS the session progressed
one of the delegates from jefferson
might liaYe been found in frequent
consultation with the Governor, con-
fsrences to which his colleagues were
not invited, and of whose subject
and results they were not informed.
Tile existence and object of the plot
were made plain when at the close of
the session this gentleman was ten
dered and accepted the appointment
as Senator until the meeting of the
next Legislature. Did he and the
Governor fail TO see that they thus
discredited the whole movement, and
made catspaws of the men who count
ed upon them as allies in q great
cause? Or were their loyalty and
sense of duty too weak to withstand
the ambition of the one to fill the
brief vacancy, and the vain belief of
the other that here was sure and
easy way to keep the place warm for
himself? How the people at large
regarded the appointment was soon
made manifest. AT an extra session
of the Legislature shortly after
though its authority to choose a SEN
ator Was then doubtful-the dead
lock was broken and an election
made, which was confirmed by the
United States Senate. To this COM
bination, then, NE owe tile blessings
of tile existing regime,
The passing years have found the
cx- Governor engaged in the same
eager pursuit of Senatorial honors.
To his chief lieutenant they have
brought the dignity of position on
the Supreme bench of the State-a
position in WHICH his talents entirely
fitted him to do honor TO himself and
to his State; but he put aside tile err
mine to chase the will-o-the-wisp of a
foreign appointment. 1t has come
about that Mr.. Camden's seat in the
Senate is again TO he filled. The
movement which resulted in his for
MGR defeat is at an end, is perhaps
dead past resurrection. But all signs
point to reS iYal of the combination
WHICH grew out of that movement and
which went so far TO discredit it and
TO disgust its authors. The addi-
tional strength supposed to arise
from combination makes this SUBJ
iect OK greater interest even than q
single candidacy for the Senate.
What is to be said of it, its elements
and its aims?
We dislike to apply 10 these gen.
tlemen, but lately incumbents of the
most dignified offices in the State, the
nndignilied term of hungry seekers
after Office. But their past records,
especially at such times as their &C.
centric orbits have brought them in
conjunction, warrant the assumption
that their present alliance is based
upon the advantages expected to ac-
cruG to each in respect to Senatorial
and diplomatic donors. How far are
such expectations likely TO be full
filed?
The ex.Judgc, by virtue of ances-
trail associations. native ability and
liberal culture. is entitled to aspire to
the most brilliant position in tue gift
of the people. But in addition to
these he possesses quality-or de-
feet of qualities which betrayed him
into accepting the appointment above
mentioned upon the terms which are
reasonably inferred from the circum-
stances; which afterwards led him
TO explain his desire for foreign APP
pointment by the statement that he
had no confidence in the administra-
tion, whose official family lie sought
to enter, and so wished to escape the
disaster which it would doubtless
bring upon the country, and which,
more recently, has led him to advo-
cate protective duty on coal and
iron--in strange contrast to the de-
clGrations of his rnnning-mate. What
ever name be given TO this defect,
we believe it is this which has hith-
ertO prevented the attainment of his
dearest ambitions, by destroying that
popular confidence which must be
Joined with even the highest admira-
tion for talent and ability, before the
latter can command success. And
in this respect We think his prospects
have scarcely changed for the better.
As for the Ex-Governor, his anbi-
ton is legitimate one and NE are
not inclined 10 reflect unkindly upon