West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-01-29

Which All Might Follow With mt
An AGE o. Construction sndy Not
Observation-Disclosures for the cosnty
Court
AfAsoSrowx, Jan. II, 1919.

correspondents in the Terra Alta Repub-
lican and the Argus with the Argus on
the affirmative side. have naught % do
with this controversy save the interest
that every loyal citizen OF our county
should have; but ! must say that my
sense of right and Justice has been
flagraDtly outraged by the attitude as
sumed by "Clover Hay" i'm his unground-
ed and unjustiied attack on our present
eminent and efficient county court. He
claims TO profess the progressive faith,
and to be an exponent of progressive
principles and doctrines-but upon the
evidence of his very articles alone he
would he summarily convicted OF the
vilest treason, should he but dare TO put
his head into any camp OF honest. liberty
loving prooressiyes. II is so palpable
from these articles that he is an individual
oil the genus "knocker" that no other
circumstance would be necessary to his
immediate impeachment
Progressives OF the present day are
strong, virile, wise and sympathetic men.
They stand for, as the name itself shows,
PROGRESS-betterment This is an
age Of uplift; an age when ideals of
happiness, peace and contentment are
nearer than ever before to the ever-seeking
| grasp OF our struggling world. This epoch
marks the founding of beautiful institu.
tons; 1t witnesses the point where the
| bonds of social fellowship are being
cemented tirmer than ever between man
and man, whatever may be their rank,
degree and station in life. We live in an
age that is atfirmative-not negative.
This is a constructive period-a building
up; we have no roof to shelter the de-
structionist. There is no place on this
earth for the knocker-the man who has
naught else to occupy his misguided eff
forts than futile assaults against the walls
OF cherished and revered institutions
the man who is jealous of his neighbours
success.
An eminent writer and philosopher of
the present day has said: "knock per-
simmons-that's ALL" This apt express
sion speaks worlds; il is the framework
OF treatise on this great sin, which,
thanks to an all-wise Providence, is fast
fading into welcome death, az did the
carnal marauders of the dark ages.
Knocking is poison as fatal to the mind
IN arsenic is to the material being. The
Knockers pen, like the dope fiend's
morphia syringe, is deadly weapon,
aimed at the very heart of our civilization.
Knocking, alone, tends but to unrest and
discontent-potent evils both-and these
but to inflammation of the soul.
Just and honest criticism is to be COM
mended, 1T IL a meritorious deserving
oil the sanction, endorsement and CO.
operation OF mankind. But criticism is
a review, and review of the good as
we'll as of the evil--if evil has been done.
What debt do we owe the man who
storms the bulwarks OF our independence,
says the country is going to the dogs,
says the tariff is a failure because eggs
are fifty cents a dozen-who ever heard
of eggs being imported? We owe hlm no
substantive debt-naught but some good
advice, such as would be prompted by
brotherly feeling for a sophist. He serves
no good who does no good. What good
has this man done? He produces only
unrest and disturbs our tranquility UNI
warrantedly. lie seeks but TO dsplace
peace by raising discord.
The real man of value is not the one
who investigates and cri,sizes only Cor
knocks without investigation but who
also seeks, with all his power, to remedy
such defects as may appear. Has our
subject produced for your inspection.
voters, one single suggestion that smacked
OF honest reflection and painstaking care
to find remedy?
statesman is an uplifter-a builder;
and despite our progress along other lines
1t grieves me to say that our present
supply falls far short OF the demand.
The petty politician and demagogue, with
whom this fair country is unfortunately
swamped, serves no purpose other than
his own greedy and selfish ends. These
predatory parasites, by subterfuge and
scheme, but prey upon the public They
are not men interested in our nation and
its progress, but ones whose interest lies
only in the exploitation of this nation, in
order that their own Golfers may be
gorged.
And so it is that every patriot will
stand up and cheer for the man who seeks
by affirmative methods, to remedy evil:
but they have no sympathy for the yowler
who kicks and rants. Knocking is an
ominous symptom that the trouble lies
within-not without.
Glover Hay" ! know not your
personal identity, but I'm acquainted
with your residence and with your poll
tical faith. They stand ont az clearly
from yOur articles as do the mountains
loom mp beyond the edge OF the desert
ron live ~ the county seat and YOU are
a reactionary Republican, a member of
the ring, which for years ruled the "ship
OF state Of Preston county with its
barnacle Of Indebtedness. Now that
progressive and honest business men
have assumed the leadership and have
snnihilated this long-standing debt, have
You no word Of praise? When Won
sought to weave veil Of deception about
your identity, residence and faith. Won
exempliied the customary ring. RepubG
can weayc-it wont wear long nor we'll.
and when it is rent asunder, oh, what a
hideousness we seei There Is dutv
which everyone owes 10 the officials in
/ uoWor-fairneaa ID, a.. -..s-t-