Year: 1867

We published, on yesterday, letter
from Grcenbrier county, setting forth
the Importance of circulating Deme-
cratic papers. A further reference to
this subject is not inappropriate. In
order to wrest the government of West
Virginia from Radical hands, it is neces-
sary to lay before the candid men of
that party the reasons why our State
and country should be furnished with
new rulers. The prominent facts OF
Radical history are our best arguments.
No party can long live under such q
record. With each new development
Radcalism grows weaker and weaker.
and when its entire history is univer-
sally understood, its power will depart
forever.


The Radical party, especially in West
Virginia. is responsible for innumer-
able corruptions. The evidences are to
be found in every county, and we might
say in every township. The members
of that organization, to great extent,
have neither interest in, nor sympathy
with the frauds into which their leaders
haze led the party. They are not pre-
pared to endorse these wrongs. They
will rebuke them when convinced of
their existence. Give them light and
they will not only sec the wrong but
they will right it.


Furthermore, the Radical party is
committed to the policy of negro suff-
rage, with all the evils that hang around
that heresy. 1t matters not that speak
ers and organs here disclaim it. Their
disclaimers indicate the sentiments OF
the people of West Virginia rather than
the aims of Radicalism. To no purpose
do they disavow the doctrine in its
homo application when they force it
upon other States at the point of the
bayonet. The enormity of the Radical
policy in this regard should be brought
home to the masses. To effect this re-
suit, Democrats must circulate Democ-
ratio documents.


Upon financial questions, the Radical
party cannot command the support of
even Il respectable minority in West
Virginia. A policy of two currencies,
gold for bODd-holder and paper for
plough-hOlder, is beyond all question
distasteful to the masses of this State.
1t is equally clear that the Democratic
theory of paying the public debt, as
private debts are paid, in the paper
which Radical Congress has declared
to be money, will be immensely pOpu-
lar when generally understood. Here,
again, We find use for good Democratic
papers. Circulate them literally and
the result will approve the act.


In general, it may be said, that we
have everything to gain and nothing to
lose by free discussion of the issues of
the day. Let the popular mind be in
formed and its determinations will be
correct. Let eur swn men be supplied
Rith facts with which to conduct the
winter evening discussions around the
freside. They can reach minds that
would be iron-clad in prejudice against
the best logic of a political speaker
Let the opposition be furnished, as far
as they will receive it, with the record
of their party, and let them ponder
upon its influence aud its tendencies.
The candid Republican reader will in o
few months be an active Democratic
voter.


An encouraging sign is the readiness
with which Republicans peruse Demo-
cratic documents. But little while
ago, and nothing was moro ahominable
IN their estimation than that same
style of literature. But their views
are undergoing q healthy change. 'Loy-
atty" has been rather costly, and the
tax-ridden masses are seeking relief
from the wrongs with which that same
loyalty" has cursed them. If they
have erred in the past, they are willing
TO be taught Alright so that for the fn-
tare they may go no more astray. Give
them information. Supply them with
the proofs of their party's folly, extrav-
agance, corruption and crime. They
will abandon it and aid its overthrow.


1t is not so necessary that the number
of Democratic papers should be iu-
creased, as that those already in exis-
tence should have the aid of all good
Democrats in extending their circula-
ton. Ifeyery Democrat who now takes
apsper would interest himself, he could