Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-08-10

of His Name.
To the Editor of the Register.
Wheeling, w. Va, August S.-Gen' T.
G. Watts will receive a well deserved
honor when he is nominated, as he will
he bv the State Convention for Cover
nor on Wednesday next Six hundred
delegates. representing every sec'ion
and county, come TO this city instructed
and committed 10 his support. Ihey
voice the unanimous sentiment OF the
rank and file OF West Nirginia's Democ-
racy.
At the time when Gen. Watts con-
scented to permit his name TO be used LOT
this nomination, the situation Of the De-
mocracy in our State was dark, danger
GUS and doubtful. The question that
then confronted the party was, who IS
the strongest possible nominee for Gov
ernor: who can and will make the
strongest. bravest, nerviest and most
AGGRESSIVE fight to save West Virginia
from Republican misrule. The danger
confronting the party at that time elm
mated all question of geographical 10
cation or sectional feeling. The ques-
lion was not whether our leader should
come from the eastern or nothern Pa:i-
Handle, Hancock or Mcdowell, Kan
awha or Lewis. 1t was, VINO is the
strongest, bravest, surest leader in this
alarming crisis.
With singular and pronounced unanl-
Of a hol
regardless of section or locality, turned
TO Gen. Watts. His reply TO inquiries,
solicitations and demands from every
section was that he would not accept the
nomination unless the cali of his party
was so strongly urgent, that party
loyalty, Democracy and patriotism
would not allow him TO turn a deaf ear
20 its appeals The demand for his ac-
ceptance OF this then dangerous post Of
honor became so urgent and ins.stent
that he was compelled to axe definite
answer. Other leaders of less nerve
and bravery and party loyalty had al
ready declined 10 allow even the men
zion Of their names in connection with
the GubeTnatOral nomination. None
wanted TO lead what then seemed a for
lOrn hope. Seeing this and fully aware
OF the desperate chances it then seemed
he had to take, and fully aware that the
odds were then strongly against him,
Gen. Watts informed his friends and the
Democracy of this State that he would
Stand by the party which had honored
him when it was certain OF success. by
leading it when it looked as though only
a superhuman effort would save it from
going down in the darkness of defeat
and disaster.
To accept the nomination Watts was
required to make a great personal sac
ritice. 1t involved the surrender of a
lucrative and honorable Federal posi-
ticn, and months of hard. desperate and
uncelsing work and effort for the sake
or Democracy. Unfinching in his
principles Of party duty, uawavering in
his Democracy, and undaunted by dan
ger or defeat, Watts responded to the
call OF his party. He made the sacri-
flee demanded by it of him ana con-
scented to accept the nomination. From
county TO county he went organizing
and encouraging the Democracy which
he will now lead to a brilliant and sub
s,antial victory.
Partly through the personal efforts Of
Gen. Watts and partly by an astounding
change in political conditions. the sim
alton of the West Virginia Democracy
IS to-day full of hope and encourage
ment. We still have a fight TO make
A hard. trying, close one. Three HIM
sired thousand dollars OF Republican
money is ready to be used 10 Dcrsuado
corrupt purchase and inimiiate. Cen
WATTS viii meet il and defeat il He
IS IN line with Democratic sentiments
He has always been. He has the nerve
10 lead when the fight was desDerate
and the outlook dark and dubious He
VIII now. in this more fortunate bonr
When pemOcracy's sun is once moro in
me ascendant, lead The old party 40
SreSSiVeiy, enthusiastically and surely
20 victory Let every DELEGATE remoD,-
Der the circumstances under which he
entered this - @: the bravery. lOvaItv
anu uAseliisa IS which prompted him
20 accept the post of honor when # was
a post of danger, and let this convon-
uon representing West Virginia's No
mocracY honor this brave and pnfaI-
Jerng leader by an unanimous and on
,husiaStc nomination by acclama-ion
AN OHIO COUNTY DELEGATE