Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-02-11
From the Wheeling Register.l
D the Editor ofthe Reoister:

To the Editor ofthe Register:
| WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. so.
/ have for years made periodical
visits TO the national capital, and
found much pleasuse in watching the
movements of our Lawmakers and
other notable persons that one is sure
to see at all times in this delightful
city. During the Fifty-third Con-
gress / had become acquainted with
distinguished men of the Democratic
party, many of whom regard as
able statesmen, deeply imbued with
the spirit of sound Democratic
principles.
Again 1 am in the city of ''magnifi-
cent distances, and am painfully
con scious of the disastrous political
changes brought about by the incon-
siderate action of dissatisfied peo-
pie. Cutting off the nose to spite
the face is no new thing either in
individual or political experience.
Be that as it may; on the avenue.
around the cspitol, in the Senate
chambe and House of Representa-
tives, everywhere, miss the genial
faces of many old friends. Here and
there an oId-timer can be seen to re-
mind one of the past, and add to the
bitterness of the present.
In the Fifty-fourth Congress only
one man represents the Democracy
of West Virginia: that sble states
man and polished gentleman, Senator
Faulkner. Senator Elkins occupies
the seat vacated by that true son of
our mountain State, Hon. j. N.
Camden. The ex-senator was known
in Washington as quiet, dignified
gentleman, and as such was respec-
ted. His opinion in committee, where
opinion is duly appreciated, was re-
garded at all times as sound, practi-
cal and intelligent; and the good
common sense that made him sue
cessful as man of business, guided
him in all his deliberations and ac-
tions as statesman. Among those
retired on the Democratic side, by
reason of the recent political changes,
none will be more missed than Sena-
tor Camden; wise in counsel, dis
Greet in action, he welded an in
fiuence second to no one in that body.
For nearly third of century he
has been prominent in politics, and
held the confidence of the people as
few men ever did in our or any other
State of the union. There has not
been a time during that period when
he was not the choice of vast ma
jority of his party in West Virginia,
for any official gift within their power
and vet strange it is that no public
man of our day perhaps, has been
more abused. But such has ever
been and will continue to be the pen
atty imposed on public virtue by in
triguing selfishness. de has been
charged with working against the in
terest. of his State and betraying his
trust as Democrat but the poisoned
shafts that have been hurled at him,
have fallen harmless against the i'm
penetrable shield of Democratic
honor, No one can point to single
act or word of his during his long
political career that has not been in
the interest of his constituents. Mr..
Camden has greater, and perhaps
more varied interest in West Virgin
ia than any other man; the srccess
of his business enterprises depend
on the prosperity of the country,
and to say that he would, either by
word or act, attempt to impede the
progress and prosperity of the coun-
try, is to say that he would work
against his own interests, which is
not reasonable,
The charge that Senator Camden
has not been true to his trust as
Dem mocrat is false. He with few
others organized the party in our
State after the war; they famed the
few moulderipg embers into flame;
they watched over it almost with the
same care fond parent would
child. He has grown gray in the
service of his party, and whether rs
standard bearer or in the ranks, he
has ever been found battling under
the old banner of Democracy. He
stood by it during the dark days of
registration in our State, upholding
it with one hand, and with the other,
striking the political ietters from the
limbs of many of his people that they
might be enabled as American free
men to go to the polls free and un-
tramelIed, and cast their ballots un-
challenged alongside their ne ighbors.
All honor to the man to whom the
Democracy of West Virginia owes so
much; to him who stood lead and
loyal to the party, firm as an iron
wall in defense of personal liberty.
Long after his traducers are forgot
ten, the iron horse screaming and
dashing along through the valleys of
our mountain State. and the praises
of grateful people, shall perpetu-
ate his name. XXX