Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-05-23
MR.. GRIFFITH AND "vOx"
COMMUNICATED.l

noyance at reading III your last issue
column communication sigued
"Nox III which the writer advocates
constitutional convention on the
ground of party regularity aud Incl
dentally analysis my life, private aud
political. One would suppose from
the scrupulOus care with which he
guarded every loophole that would
lead TO bis identity that some re
stralnt would be put on his pen when
reference was made to others. But
he seems 10 have been moved by no
such consideration. | was held IN
before the public in all the lights
and shades that be chose TO throw
around the picture: as be was not
bold enough 10 write over his own
signature, and evidently desires to
keep himself in the background.
will respect his wishes in that partic
ular and refer to him Simply as Son
Smith. Let ME briefly advert TO his
argument in favor of constitutional
reform. He tells the world how hum
CRY men, enemies even, have fed at
my tsOie-entlced there by nv polit
zeal wlles IN AL effort to wan votes.
Is not mans home sacred, Son
Smith, and should not the hospitality
that be dlspenses be matter of his
own about which the political public
are not concerned: He tells the
world further that my political sue
cess Is entirely personal one" This
Is the most offensive statement in the
letter. 1t implies that my politics is
dlstasteful to the people. and that.
Judged by that standard, would fall.
Fray tell me, Son Smith. wherein
does your politics differ from mine.
! am democrat and was demo
cratic voter long before YOU we're
born. There is a small contingent Of
malcOntents IN our midst who. for
twelve years. have planned aud plot
ted to accomplish my overthrow. They
have not only impugned INV democ
racv, but have grossly criticised nv
conduct as an official. Three times
IN succession the people of this couu
ty whose flowing kindness" | deeply
appreciate. have ground these charges
beneath their feet. am sorry TO see
my young friend. whose MANY good
qualities | admire, training in with
that fragment of the county democ-
racy.
But Son Smiths indictment. sugar
coated though 1t was, does not stop
there. lie discourses dlsinterestedly
on thesubject of leaders and followers.
and says l have never been a leader
but always "a follower of the people.
l plead guilty to the charge, that |
have never attempted TO be leader.
That is the milk in the cocoanut.
There are too many would be leaders
/ would rather follow the people than
try to lead them astray. But posi-
bly, If had been the Mayor of grea,
city, candidate for CONFERENCE.-The
attorney, and had fallen little dis
lance outside the breast works, a sol
der IN the Spanish American war.
who returned 10 the hum drum of
civil life Immediately after the Sew
enth Army Corps ceased firing: and as
"A GROWING triumph of my life had
stood for the State Senate, perhaps the
delights of leadership would appeal %
me more powerfully. And now the
charge that | have "gone around
among the people sowing the seeds of
! democratic discord. 1t is true that |
have been going among the people.
but 1t has been in the discharge of
my duty. 1t is further true that |
have made no attempt and make none
now to conceal my opposition to the
action of the Norfolk convention in
attempting to make the constitution.
al convention party question. Moth
ing could be more undemocratic or
unfair. The Legislature provided
for vote on the question and every
voter IN the State ought to have the
right TO declare himself at the poles
on measure that means so much 10
so many of them.
The Norfolk convention was not
called to, and it was clearly outside
of its function, when it did pass upon
the constitutional convention As it
was, the most they could accomplish
was q recommendation and not par
ty demand. They might recommend
anything. They might have recon-
mended Son Smith for President. but
we would not be Obliged as good dem
ocrats to support him. much as we
would like to do ourselves that honor.
We know that Son Smith is not old
enough to be eligible
j. Il. GRIFFITH.