Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-04-25
CONCERNING THEMSELVES.

accomplished IN the political faith and
political morals of the Wise county
democrats, if they mean what they say
in series of resolutions adopted by a
democratic mass-meeting held at Wise
on the 18th instant.
1t seems that the democratic leaders
IN Wise are so eager to make the world
believe that they are getting clean and
good, they stand ready to publicly re-
nounce previous practices ard convic-
tons, to condemn themselves, to repu-
date their present candidate for Con.
gress and to stigmatize the record and
campaign of their candidate for Con-
gress two years ago.
The resolutions of the Wise demo-
Gratis do not accord with their recent
past professions and practices, nor do
they conform to the record of their
present candidate for Congress. They
are completely at variance with the
tariff views of the Hon. Henry c. Stu
art, who was the democratic candidate
for Congress in this district in 1910.
Some of the declarations in these Wise
resolutions we will set forth and COM
ment thereon. They say:
1--WE believe political platforms
are sacred contracts, and candidates
who accept nominations thereon and
are elected are morally bound to do
all they can to carry out the princi-
pies therein declared"
Was there ever a more sacred
pledge or contract written in a plat
form than the one which was put in the
platform Of the Virginia democrats in
1900 to submit the new constitution to
the people for ratification or rejection?
Did not General Ayers, the present
democratic candidate for Congress-, and
did not Mr.. Stuart, the democratic can
didate two years ago, both, as members
of the constitutional convention, vote
for proclaiming the constitution instead
of submitting it to the people? Was
that not most atrocious violation of
a sacred contract they were morally
bound, as was their party, to keep and
perform?
How can the Wise democrats expect
right-thinking men to place confidence
in their professions. that political plat
forms are sacred contracts" when they
remain steadfast to the party that per-
fiduously violated the solemn pledge to
submit the constitution, and give their
enthusiastic support to men who, as
representatives of the people, helped to
perform the act of perfidy?
And the Wise democrats now declare:
1--WE favor a tariff for revenue
only, adjusted upon the principles
of equal rights and equal burdens to
all and special privileges to none."
In the campaign of 1910 these fellows
were shouting themselves hoarse for
Henry G. Stuart, after he declared him
self in favor of protective tariff in his
opening speech of the campaign at
Gate City. Do the democrats of Wise
county mean, through these resolutions,
to repudiate Mr.. Stuart as the leader
of their party in the Ninth district?
We recall the fact that General
Ayers, Mr.. Tate Irvine, and perhaps
others who participated in the Wise
meeting few days ago, were ciamos-
ing not great while past for a pro-
tective duty on coal. Have these gen.
tIemen abandoned their views and aban-
1oned Mr.. Stuart, or are they hiding
their convictions and permitting the
democrats of their county TO put them,
Tor this campaign, with the national
democratic party on the tariff question?
The Wise county democrats declared
further,
1--WE fayex honest and fair cleo
tons. Therefore, we condemn the
practice of parties or candidates or
their friends soliciting or contribu-
ting funds to pay poll taxes of 9TH
ers Illegally. and we condemn brib-
cry in elections in whatever form,
way or scheme it may be done.''
If the Wise county democrats were
ruly for honest and fair elections, and !.