Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1904-04-29
UNITED DEMOCRACY.
CONTINUED from frs, page.)


some extent effected the people and
dulled their appreciation or correct
principles, l am not prepared as some
are to admit that they cannot be
awakened to some spirit Of patriotism
and to some appreciation Of their
rights and to their obligations to pre-
serve their government tor themselves
and their children. There are, l think,
some signs of awakening throughout
the land. Given a united democracy
and a wise, conservative man, with a
true understanding of the genius OF
our government, with reverence Of
the constitution, and who can COM
mand the confidence both of the bust
ness and of the people Of the icountry
success would seem to be certain. At
least, let the democracy of this state
no its full duty. Let it call to its coun-
Gil board its ablest and most expert
enced mem bers regardless Of where
they stood on the peculiar issue oil
1896. That issue, however important
then, is certainly not now pressing.
The especial duty of this conven-
ton is to select for representatives, at
our national gatherings, the wisest,
the best qualified, most experienced
and most influential members of our
party; and tt e Especial duty of the
democracy of this Estate after those
representatives have acted, is to see
that the states electoral vote IS given
to the democratic candidate for Presi-
dent who shall be nonins ted at St.
Louis in July of this year.
Alter the appoinsment of the usual
committees the convention took re-
cess till 3. 80 p. m during which recess
the five district conventions were held
and the district delegates above men
toned were selected.
When the convention reasssmbled
the congressional district conventions
had not all completed their work
and Hon. Henry G. Davis was called
upon for speech. He compared the
records of the Democratic and Re-
publican parties and referred to Sena-
tor Scott Is declaration of last week
that the Republicans should all walk
up to the polls and vote the ticket
straight, even though they had to go
TO the polls with ballot in one hand
and their nose in the other. He dwelt
with considerable en- phesis upon the
negro donation of the Republican
party, showing that while there was
at the last election some 1000 Re
publican majority in this State there
voting negro population OF go,
900. He showed that the State AID
the nation would be strongly Demo
crdtic but for the negro vote and that
the white vote of the country gives
always substantial Democratic ma
iority. He sounded the key note Of
the demands which leading Demo
Gratis are making all over the State
for the suppression of the negro vote
and the white mans rHle.
His reference to the white man $
party and the white supremacy caused
a wonderful demonstration in the con
ventiou. Hats were thrown into the
air AID cheers andispplAuse lasted for
several minutes.
John H. Holt who had been select
ed for permanent chairman, assumed
the chair and made one of those
characteristic, clear and logical
speeches which Holt alone can make,
He dwelt on several party Issues, on
party harmony and on the race issue,
which bids fair to be one of the party
issuee in the coming campaign.
Hon o. S. Mckinney, Of Fairmont
eY-S nalor IL. q. Davis ana J. n.
C~maen, Ex-Governor w. A, Mac
Corkle, Mr.. Joe Murphy and AR.
Perry G. Afford were PIT in n0miua
ton for delegates at large Up to this
point the proceedings were har-
nenious but it was now that the
contest was to take place between the
conservative and radical wriugs of tn
party. The radical wiring was clearly
in the minority but they made strong
fight. The put Murphy and Afford
forward as their candidates and an
attack was made by two speakers up
on ], y. Camden, but an array Of the
most brilliant and able speakers Of the
convention came at once to his de-
ense led by Senator John J. Cornwell