Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1899-01-28


was more excusabls AID certainly |
less severe and effective. And the
comment OF the Athenian in the
market place, that he voted for the
ostracism of Aristides, not because
he knew of any wrong he had done.
either to the State or to himself,
but because he was tired CT hearing
him called 1.-The just, was credi-
table to Athenian citizenship, 10
comparison with the remark made
by one of the whippers-in OF the
impeachment trial respecting the
motives of these recalcitrant and
kicking Senators. "If there is
anythingn, he said. 'sworse than the
treachery, it is the cant of patriot
ism which contends that it is the re-
suit OF conscientious conviction; the
pretense of conscience is quite I'M
bearable". "This", observes one
commentator on the history of that
day, awas the very acridity OF big
ctry which in other times and coun-
tries raised the cruel tribunal of
the Inquisition. and burned oppo-
nents for the glory of God"
May I be pardoned for taking an
illustration from the current his
tory of West Virginia? A careful
and philosophical observer must
have found food for serious redec-
ton, in watching the struggle that
has been going on since the election
last November to control the State
Legislature. What was the stake?
Something affecting the property
and liberties of the people; no, only
a Senator of the United States-a
question vital only to the property
and liberties of the people could
not have caused the turmoil we have
witnessed. speak not of the mer-
its of the controversy, for that is
aside from my purpose. speak only
of the violence of party spirit.
Have not the adherents of the Dem
ocratic party believed most honest
ly and religiously that the Repuo-
licans we're engaged in stealing
enough members of the Legisla-
ture to give them majority on joint
ballot? Have not the Republicans
believed and asserted with equal
sincerity that the Democrats were
engaged in the same nefarious work!
Were both right? Do men COM
NIT acts ia the name of party which
honorable men would scorn to do in
any other cause?
Revolutions and civil wars have
been frequent in modern times, in
Central and South America, and
usually about disputed title to an
Office. But we say the fault is in
the temper of the people, that they
are unfit for self government. Doubt
less this accounts for some OF the
difference between our good fortune
and theirs, but not all of it; our ex-
emption from similar troubles lays
in the fact that our forty-five states
are united into one country, init
mately connected one with another,
by business and social ties. Thus
one State supports another; and the
public opinion of the rest, and the
restraining fear of the national gov
eminent, keeps party spirit from
breaking into open violence, revolu-
ton and civil war. Had West Vir-
ginia parties felt that they were a
law unto themselves, we should have
been dangerously near to bloodshed
as result of the disputed election
of 1898. Kentucky parties could a
year or two ago scarcely be kept
from civil war. These influences
have not been able, without resort
to the military arms Of the govern
ment, to keep Kansas or Colorado
at all times, within the bounds of
law and order, and separate SOW
eIeignty in my opinion, only was
needed, TO cause them to repeat the
experiences of the South American,
or the small Italian Republics, The
lesson of the war of 1851 alone pre-
vented the violence of parties in the
Hayes-Tilden contest. from re-en-
acting in the United States the SO
cal war of Marius and Sulla, the
prescriptions of which are the blood.
lest known to history. But thanks
to our war experience and the wis
dom of few public men, who had
the confidence of both parties, the
genius of self government, which as
sumes peaceful settlement and re.
dress for all wrongs and contests,
public and private, asserted itself,
and a tribunal was provided by
means of which the successful liti-
CANT ives allowed to pass unchal-
lenged, to his chair.
Under such conditions, no won
der that there has been IN many
States a decline in the personnel of
Legislatures. The ancient theory
that Legislator is a representative
chosen to serve for the time, and at
liberty to use his judgment on ques-
tions that arise, has in large part,
faded out of existence; instead we
have delegates" men chosen to
obey and execute another's orders
or instructions, either those of
boss or of a party machine.
In saying this, / mean no disre-
spect to the many good men who ac-
cept these thankless offices. They
strive to do their duty, but usually
find themselves hampered and out
witted by forces unseen, by forces
which work behind closed doors.
They become the victims of evil con-
ditions. cheerfully acknowledge
also that the body of Legislation is
not as rule bad, but on the con-
trary, wish in view of actual con-
ditions to express my surprise, that
the greatest objection to it is that it
lacks body or consistency; it deals
chiefly with small matters, while
important and grave questions, de-
manding urgent action, can not,
amid the clamor of party factions
secure a hearing at the bar of public
opinion, and are usually neglected.
How goes it in West Virginia?
The occasion may be thought hard
ly suitable for a plain discussion of