Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-22
KENTUCKY AND
WEST VIRGINIA.
Monroe Waterman.

Monroe Waterman.
The horrid blood-shedding and the
setting up of a ruthless Military Des-
potism in Kentucky has an impressive
warning for all Americans; but to
West Virginia this bold appeal to mer-
CHESS force with most especial
emphasis as a startling reminder and
admonition. 1t is of course worse than
useless to point out the lessons of these
dreadful events to the sorid spoilsmen
or the deaf adders of politics; but
The Waterman will not, must not be-
lieve that all Republicans are compris-
ed In these classes. We are sure there
are men who have in the past taken
pride in their fellowship with the Re-
publican party. as it is still called,
Though TIE lame is now a sad m.sOo-
mer), who have nc dethroned either
conscience OF reason, who are unwill-
ing to abet Githsr asSaSSinationur civil
war, and are ready to give the truth a
fair hearing and govern themselves by
its testimony.
We invite all such of all parties to
examine what occurred in West Vir-
ginia barely a year ago and compare 1t
with the presidents of this months
shocking developments in Kentucky.
In 1898. the election in West Vir-
ginfa was so close as to be indecisive.
Taking the vote cast for Legislative
candidates it was found that the Dem
ocrats had a small plurality in the
State, as We remember, while the vote
@1JJ1A H.. Nrcroe~;4Da oo~5;lo+1o
showed a narrow margin for the Re-
publicans. Not unnaturally contests
were inaugurated by both sides. These
were prosecuted for a time in an order
ly fashion, both parties availing them
selves Of the rights which the law
guaranteed. But presently it appeared
that the result of these p%eaceable and
lawful proceedings would be to give
the Democrats the coveted control of
the Legislature.
Then it was that the Republican
headers astounded the State by declar-
ing for an appeal to force-exactly as
Taylor and his co-adiutors did more
recently in Kentucky. The Demo-
Gratis had trusted their case to the tri-
bunals which the law provided, reso-
lutely affirming their determination to
abide by the result and uttering not
the faintest threat of violence. What
evef else may be said of their conduct
it certainly afforded not the least
y justification for a resort to arms.
But on the Republican side the furies
of incendiarism were let loose, as they
have been more lately In Kentucky
Republican newspapers of prominence
called upon the Republican Governor
OF West Virginia to urn lawfully
elected Democrats "out of the Capitol,
If 1t had to be done at the point of the
bayonet. The militia of the State is
under his command and the National
Administration will support him with
the army of the United States if nee
essary." So spoke one of these fla
grant apostles of butchery in southern
West Virginia,-and his words are
evilly suggestive Of what Taylor has
actually carried into effect in Ken
lucky, namely. the reorganization of
the State militia from reckless Re-
publican paftisans ready to shoot down
Democrats like dogs at the command
OF the political despots whom they
biindly serve. The propaganda Of
savage force was taken up by the
Scott-Elkins organs throughout the
State and pressed with an infuriate