Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-09-21

iaiu uoNn the fclnS. what an lms
mense satisfaction il would be TO
the people To know what has been
the silent influences behind IL all.
and who are the owners OF these
certificates. More than one leading
Republican papers has intimated
that we would have TO look no fur
Their than some leaders OF that par
- to find much interesting infor-
nation on that subject. But sure
ly we have right to know who
the parties ara who sue under the
cover OF the commonwealth OF Vir-
gina. Surely We have the right
To know what secret influence that
cause the administration OF 1905 TO
send back with scant courtesy. tho
committee sent here by the common
wealth OF Virginia TO treat with
West Virginia. and whose spok
man declared that the common
wealth stood ready TO settle the
question. and guarantee the cancel
lation OF the West Virginia certin-
cates upon the payment of what
ever sum a committee appointed by
West Virginia should fix upon.
Surely We have the right TO know
what has kept the people in the
dark about this affair ever since De-
mocracy went out of power.
DEMOCRACY AND THE DEBT
Democracy did everything IL
could to accomplish an equitable
settlement OF this debt--even send
ing a committee to Richmond with
that end I'm view, and during It's time
none ever seriously thought TO de-
mand it's payment. But the result
has been that somehow. and appar-
emily unnecessarily, we have landed
I'm the federal courts. confronted
with ruInous prospective debt.
and yet | hold in my hand a cam
paign pamphlet in which the reg
ulars' say Democracy did nothing
No wonder they were silent In their
platform on that question.
1t Is impossible for me IN the
time at my disposal today to take
up and discuss the other issues be-
fore the people of this state. |
have, already, | fear, infringed up
on that of the others you would like
to hear. Our platforms sets them
forth with perfect clearncss, and,
with like clearness, states our posi-
ton upon them. 1t is fair.
straightforward and convincing pro-
mitigation OF what we think, and
what we will do In case the people
entrust us with the reins of the
government.
THE NEGRO QUESTION
Perhaps IL might be we'll for mo
TO say a passing word upon that
part of our platform that speaks
for the purity OF the ballot, and de-
bauchery, especially by n race that
appreciatve OF the benefits OF an
elective franchise, and converts II
into more OF commercial asset
than a blessing beyond price. A
franchise that even Abraham Lin
coin was not IN favor of. ! will
read what he says in his speech at
Charleston. Illinois;
WORDS OF LINCOLN
81 will say, then. that | am not,
nor neer have been In favor Of bring
ing about in any way tho social and
political equality OF the white and
black races; that ! am not, nor new
or have been, in favor II making vo-
ters or Jurors OF negroes, nor OF
qualifying them to hold office, nor
to inter marry with white people.
And / will say in addition to this.
that there is "A physical difference
between the white and the black
races which ] believe will forever
forbid the two races living together
on terms of social and political
equality. and inasmuch as they can
not so live while they do remain to-
gether. there must be the position
OF superior and inferior. and. AZ
much as any other man. ! am In ia