Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-05-17
On Redeen1 the pistrict.


To the Editor of the SPIRIT OF JRFFRRsoN,
Charles Town, w. Va:
Dear Sir.-As a subscriber to and con-
slant reader of your valuable and repre-
sentative paper, hope yod win grant me
the courtesy of your columns for a sug-
gestion which believe to be important
in the interest of the Democratic party of
this District.
The time has come when West Virginia
Democracy must make its final effort for
victory. and when the Democracy of the
Second District must fight to secure a
representative in Congress whose voice
will be heard and needed. and whose
efforts will be felt in National legislation.
To win we must choose man whose
record for Democracy and personal and
party integrity is untaintedi one who has
always stood by his colors in storm or sun
shine, and in whose hands his party's
honor is safe A man who has the phys
ical strength to canvass every county, the
forensic ability tomeet any opponent. and
the financial ability to engage in the
contest.
In this District we have man whom
we believe amply fills these requirements.
A man born of the people. and who has
worked his way from the pillow to COM
manding position at the bar. and to an
honorable place in the estimation of every
citizen of this district. This man is Hon.
Stuart w. Walker, of Berkeley county.
Every man in this District knows him,
and knows that the above statement as to
his record is true in every detail.
Mr.. Walkers political record is well
known to all. During the campaigns Of
1858 and 1890 he was Chairman of the
Democratic Committee of Berkeley coun.
ty, and achieved the only Democratic
| victories in that county in twenty years
In 1892, after successful campaign as
Chairman of the Democratic COMMITTEE
of this District, he was elected to the Leg
| stature and filed the position of delegate
with honor to his people and and credit
to himself.
During Mr.. Cleveland's administration
Mr.. Walker was appointed by the Chic
i Justice of the Supreme Court to fill the
vacancy occasioned in the Office of U. S
District Attorney by the resignation o.
Gen. Watts, until regular appointment
could be made by the President. 1t wa:
at this time that Mr.. Walkers Democracy
and patriotism was put to the severes
test. The split had come between the
silver and gold elements of the party, anc
i Mr.. Cleveland was doing all in his power
to cause defections from the ranks of the
regular Democracy. 1t was intimated tc
Mr.. Walker that if he would support
Palmer and Buckner the President woult
regularly appoint him District Attorney
and he would hold over until the end O
the term. Mr.. Walkers reply to this
suggestion was characteristic of the man
He said he was born a Democrat anc
would die one. That he always had anG
always would follow the regular nomi
nees of the party to defeat or victory
that in comparison with the integrity O.
his own convictions and his loyalty to hi.
party, the office of District Attorney, witt
its SO, 600 year, was valueless, and tina
if the condition proposed was to be an
nexed to his occupancy of the Office he
would refuse to serve.
In the hands of such man. is not tn,
Democratic cause in this district Safe
Does he not fill every requirement of {
Representative in Congress. Can his 10y
atty or personal integrity be questioned
Can anyone doubt the aggressive charac
ter of the canvass he would make. Hi:
ability as a speaker is undoubted. He i.
a fighter of the old style. He has the
courage of his convictions, and he viii
stick to them through thick and thin. He
will line up an unparalleled vote in the
Eastern panhandle, and run ahead of hi.
ticket in the rest of the District. Mr.
Walker can win this fight for us. dc
not know whether he wants to run or not
but he is the strongest man we could nom
mate, and if we say SO he will have tc
run, and what aTace he will make. He
can redeem this district He is the mar
to do it, and with him as the standard
bearer we will once more place Demo
'crat in Congress from the old Second.
A JEFFERSON DEMOCRAT.