Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1908-05-20
AN INSTRUCTED DELEGATION.

hN ANO a nONAnI A1tANn ANhf
When the nominations for pr, Sc
dent of all parties have been made.
men will calmly weigh the merits
of the respective candidates and
canvass the claims of all the plat
forms. When the people of a State
have thus come t0a final conclusion.
the vote will Ice so cast unless mcr-
cenary and corrupt currents inter
pose and diStort the will of the
majority. Is it not equally - SEN
siblc that in sending delegates To-
theSe great conventions the known
preference Of the majority of a
political party in each State be
frankly avowed. and that it be 50
arranged that tbis choice shall be
expressed without let or any liza
bility of mistakei
If the Democrats of Virginia
wish Governor johnson, or Judge
Gray nominated at Denver, we say
let the delegates 90 instructed for
the favored man, but if the desire
is for Bryan, let the fact be known
by instructions in advance and no
room left for misconstruction.
Who the choice of the party is, so
far as this State is concerded, we
will not discuss. The question is
settled overwhelmingly beyond
peradventure of doubt. It's about
as sensible and profitable to verify
the conclusions of the multiplied
ton table as 10 question the wish,
In this matter, of ninety per cent,
of the true Democracy of Virginia.
notcountingthe pseudo-Tom Ryan
Palmer and Buckner side shows.
that beat tomtoms. raise a dust
and count for naught when the
= polls are open. A man must be
purblind, must deliberately fool
himself, who is of two minds as to
the determination of the Democrats
of this Stare touching the standard
bearer. Iflefttothe OldDominion
Bryan's selection and election are
as the planets in their fixed courses.
No possible contingency can cause
the DETECTION by hairs breadth.
If such be a correct conclusion.
we challenge a sound and sane rea-
son for keeping the general public
IN ignorance or doubt touching the
solid, immovable fact. Indeed, is
1t honest to raise a cavil, or tosug-
gest suspicion in the minds of
brother Democrats Has not the
party at large the right to demand
Ofeach State, in its local convention,
such as ours at Roanoke, a full and
sincere declaration of the State 5
choiceg Should the leader of an
uninstructed Virginia delegation
To Denver be asked upon the floor
for the favorite of his pople, his
franz answer must be Bryan.
Then, how will he respond to the
next query, why did not your
people say so!
Stick pin just here. An unin.
structed delegation means nothing
if not discord and the sapping o.
strength, and the weakening O
solidarity at Denver. 1t will no
prevent the fOregone conclusion
1t will only threaten party harmon!
and toss wet blanket over party
enthusiasm. II is. we believe. tn.
program of Ryan, and Parker, anC
the weakened segment of on
party; those who in heart are nj
ready IN the camp of the enemy
and many of whom intend whel
they fail to have their autocrati
way. TO sulk in the tents of apath,
or desert with bag and baggag
20 the foe.
Nlrglnians are ever frank
manly and chivarlrous; they wea
their poudercd opinions upon tn
coat sleeve. for they are never as
named of the stand they take. L
war and in peace the world know
well where to find them, for abov
Is the guiding pillar of cloud b.
day and of fire by night. Let u
now again be honest to the publ
and to the Democracy and send t
Denver no man, whoever he ma
be, who does not distinctly pledg
his vote and hearty efforts for tn
nomination of the great Nebraskan
We know the way; let us walk i
it. Richmond Journal.