Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-10-02
Republican Blow Out
Mr.. Editor:

=.
The Republicans Of Martinsburg
had blow out ana during this effort
to celebrate in honor Of their Billy
Taft on Friday Sept. IS 1908 it was sp-
parent that the dead are not all In the
cemetery. Count Won Slagel chair
man of the Republican club Of Mar
tinsburg made gigantic political Eff
fort to have the Republican party look
respectable BY presenting three Of the
most available distinguished legisls-
tors and public spirited men Of eIs-
quence for a concentration Of thought
on their platform, which is the great
est honeycombsd piece VI patchwork
ever presented for public inspection.
In their efforts TO play politics and
keep the acting up to the standard the
count had double Brass Band accom-
panient. The speakers exhaustible
array Of policy produced by an unre-
liable reputation to act, action being
one of the consistent elements Of good
government, proved 80 burdenscme
that it required three men to do the
work Of one. The issues they spoke
on ara dead they are dead themselves.
This we prove by Euclid or Geometry.
Things that are equal to the same thing
are equal to one another. The disable
condition and presentabIe shape of the
Republican platform is = sign an index
of their taste and intelligence, and
high sense Of honor turns out to be mn
questionable well directed selfishnesS.
Our view OF the speakers is from the
standpoint that they were impeli-d
by their nature and circumstances to
exhibit on q platform like the shifting
sands with no redeemin. sxcellencies,
punctured and patched by Roos welt
SO that neither Taft or Roosevelt can
point out the masterpiece. The speak
ers by their earnest cndeavors we're un-
able to interest the large ssemblage
on what has characterized Roescveit's
plans and motives for the past four
years; viz. Borrowed opinions from the
Hon. w. ]. Bryan, Living, acting and
speechifying on borrowed opinions o..
borrowed thoughts is proving more
prsiigious in its consequences to the
Republican party, than did Napoleans
disastrous expedition to Moscow. The
FIRST speaker was the Hon. Mr.. Reed,
who took his hearers back 10 McCork-
les time, but falling to resnrrect any
thing damaging to the Democratic
| party, he wet his whistle for about
| fifteen minutes ON 16 to and possess
sng the qualities Of head and heart of a
| liberal sprinkling Of men in this world,
he proved himself brilliant without
being sensible. The second speaker
was Mr.. Barbour beautiful little
man, bearing striking. q resemblance
to the hig indian chief train in the
face His quick wit, keen percep-
ton, adaptability toemake soap bub
bles and his withered imag
put together will not weigh in the es-
timation of his hearers as much as a
moderate amount common sense. He
is as writer puts it like NapsleaD,
little in everything but the art Of SIM
ulating greatness. The thira speaker,
Mr. Sturgiss, had beautifully outlined
features. He began after adjusting
his false teeth by telling OF his visit the
day before to the White House to in
terview the President, AZ he hadn't
made speech this year and weuld be
grateful for pointer or two. After
meanderine around the halls Of the
legislative chambers for an hour and
Better he was permitted an interview.
He congratulated Roosevelt on his
answer to Bryan's telegram; who said
Didn't hit the boogie with the bnzz
saw" He returned to MartinsDurg
with very little ginger and No pepper
and all he told was blind fisb story.
The meeting was closed without the
Usual formalities to the speakers Or
stimulus Of enlightment foreshadow-
ing success ON the third Of November.
There being nothing said worthy 81
even a passing notice, your serb /
would ask. What makes a nation
great? Her emi-ent men. What con-
stitutes greatness! genius and will
power. Who among ne represents
faithfully the spirit that characierizes
all great men! the Hon. w. J. Bryan.
Voter.