Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-04-11
SEPARATE ISSUES.

|
The Wheeling Intellige,acer, in COM
menting on our recent article on the
governorship, remarks that the un-
certainty as to the Democratic choice
for that Office is much increased by
the divisions that exist in the party
on the tariff and the money question.
We do not admit the accuracy of this
diagnosis, nor have we space to enlarge
upon the nature of the symptoms on
which it is based. The Intethgencer,
however, is the leading Republican
newspaper in the State. And, upon
the principle that it is wise to learn
from our enemies, its remarks might
be made the text for practical SER
mon. This we shall seek to outline,
though Justice cannot be done the sub
iect within the limits of single news
paper article.
It's to be observed that the divisions
suggested are along lines of national
| policy simply. Not even our enemies
can discover dissensions regarding
what are strictly State affairs. 1t is
assumed that these national divisions
must be perpetuated and have their
full disastrous effect in State conven-
tons and elections. But we vigorous
ly deny that there is any reason why
it should be so.
The occasions on which the State
government comes into direct relations
with the national government are few
and unimportant. 1t is to the State,
and not the nation, that we look for
protection in the enjoyment of life,
liberty and property. One may live
long and useful life, may amass
wealth and transmit it to his offspring
without once coming into direct con-
tact with a United States officer or
feeling the immediate compulsion Of a
United States statute. The two gov
ernments and their respective policies
are alike separate and distinct. There
is obviously, then, no reason why dis
sessions growing out of the one should
be continued in the other
On the other hand, there is every
reason why the factional strife arising
in national politics should not be i'm
ported into State affairs. The Dem
ocratic party suffered severely from
this in the last elections, as we have
frequently pointed out. There was
absolutely no question upon State at
fairs that could have justified Repub-
lican success. And the most emphatic
confirmation of this view is found in
the action of the late Legislature it
self, which was practical endorse
ment Of twenty years of Democratic
administration. The sole explanation,
as it was the sole cause, of that sue
cess was this: that in their choice of
legislators the people allowed them
selves to be swayed by considerations
that were only applicable to members
of Congress and Senators.
1t is not to be denied that the re-
suit of the next national election is
matter of grave doubt. Everything
made to depend upon it must be like
wise doubtful. If our State and dis
trict conventions shall go outside of
their proper province and take sides
in the controversies that now agitate
the national Democracy, we may well
expect a repetition of the result of last
year. If this mistake is avoided, how
ever, and the fighting is forced on
State issues and lines of State policy
alone, then nothing can prevent US
from regaining our ascendancy and re-
tanning it as long as we are worthy Of
II.