Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1896-09-26
nR. JOHN T. REILLY
Discusses Political Issues in His
Comprehensive Manner.
To the editor Of the Herald.

Comprehensive Manner.
To the editor Of the Herald.
AS election time approaches, politi-
cal interest and excitement increase.
Calm, sober reflection in this cam
paign will do more good than heated
arguments. The great mass Of the
people of all parties have the good OF
the country at heart aud their W
welfare and prosperity above all par
tisan demands. We differ widely in
policy. while on general principles
we are in perfect accord. The men
who make political arguments a
study upon newspaper or party theo-
mes, are not the safest counsellors
nor the wisest statesmen. The man
who says least and thinks most
swears less and prays more-is a Gin
cinnatus, and is not called upon to
leave his pillow and go into the forum
Of discussion. Every mar morally
and couscientiously able to cast a bal
lot, can think for himself. Has he
not passed through other campaigns9
Is not experience worth more than
theory? Where is the proof OF all
the bright thoughts and glorious as
sertions made in the heat of cont ro-
versy? Where your authority The
newspaper, the campaign document,
the political orator? Have you not
heard the same a hundred times be-
fore? After the election, how many
roseate political and economic theo-
ries came true? How many were ev-
er heard of after the election fires died
out? None! Stern rule and princis
Pile and law followed as before. You
have a conservative form Of govern
ment-you its bulwark-you its de-
fender-regular channels of law and
order, and you as a voter want to
perpetuate what is good and tried
and safe-you the last mar to endan-
ger your liberty or your property by
extremes in politics or experiments
in laws. Therefore, think and pray
for light and peace and prosperity.
Do not be carried away by gilded
promises on any side, or from any
party. After the election you and
your children will be here, your coun-
try and your government will re-
main, but your politicians may be
gone cup Salt River" Working
men, you worked before 1888, before
1892, and you will work after 1896.
Don't be carried away by the shib-
boleth of the day,-''cheapness,'
"more work and higher wages"
Statesmen who in the past went wild
over mere theories are today without
a party. but the workingman is still
here and still lives. AS citizens, we
have a right to demand and vote for
sound, safe and full value money
banks, courts, institutions, respected
and trusted the world over; living
wages, security in private and public,
and with less political agitation from
restless theorists and more public
quiet and confidence times are bound
to get better, and you will have as in
no other country what your constitu-
ton guarantees you, life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness"
Think back, too, as we'll as forward?
Had your parents the institutions,
the c~onveniences, the possessions,
the means, the pleasures. the ''sover-
eighty" under their own hats that
you have? Not by a great deal.
Then be satisfied, work and save,
enjoy yourself, educate your children
in the light of the day and the fear of
God, vote as you think right, and all
will be we'll. There are general prin-
ciples upon which all can agree and
each work out his own political des-
tiny. To live everything must have
a living value and normal functional
service. Animal life or vegetable,
human life or industrial, deteriorates
and perishes on cheap ~sustenance-
poor blood and poor food. That is
what's the matter with business to-
day; its life-energy, profit, produc-
ton, consumption-has been stopped.
nCheannessv is a germ that kills the