Year: 1876

Hon W. T. Logan, Martinsbury W. Va.


MY DEAR SIR:-I have your favor of
the 18th inst, and hasten TO reply.


am surprised that any one, especially
a Democrat, should be exciting any teel-
Ing by reason OF the Democratic Executive
Committee selecting Charleston for the
next State Convention. 1t is especially
unius, and ungenerous TO you,as you had
nothing whatever to do with the selection.
You expressed to me, as member OF the
Committee, an earnest desire to have the
Convention held at Martinsburg, but be-
fore the question was reached for the
determination, your engagements had
called YOU home, and you were not pres.
ent when the matter was discussed and
settled


Nv preference had been for Martins
burg. and there seems to have been
rather general concurrence of opinion
that your city would be selected, and my
impression is, that this was rather the
understanding when you were present
with the Committee. In the meantime,
and after your departure, Messrs. Motfett,
Walker and Snider, representing the
Third District, were very urgent that
the Convention should be held in that
District, as q measure of paciicalion
viii h the Committee might reason
ably otter. A number OF intel
ligent and worthy gentleman from that
District had taken occasion TO urge the
same reason upon my attention, notably
Messrs. Eastman and Lehsn, gentlemen
of unquestionsble prudence, intelligence
and unfaltering Democracy, who assur-
ed me its effect would be largely benef-
cial. Desiring to put an end to the teeI-
ing engendered in the Third District by
the removal of the capital, so far as the
Democratic party is concerned, and SYM
pathising with the people of kanawha
in the loss they had sustained,
knowing the Importance, indeed,
necessity for harmonious and united ac-
tion by the real friends OF Democracy in
all the sections, moved that Charleston
should be selected, and my recollection
i. that every member of the Committee
present, with single exception, moved
by these considerations, voted for
Charleston. Having no "a1e to grind
seeking no office, only anxious for the
success of the Democratic party. in so
far as its policy is just and generous, and
It's principles conducive to the welfare OF
the people, l was, and sm willing to make
any concession to allay any irritation felt
by any portion Of our people arising
from any cause, provided IT does not In.
volve sacrifice of principle-1 heartily
concurred in the disposition manifested
By the members from the Third District
to Gissssocis,e this capital question from
the politics Of the State, and notwlth-
s,anting the foolish, ungenerous and I'M
proper editorial in the Courier upon this
subject, l thought then, and still think,
the action of our committee was judiciaus
and proper. am confident the result
wijiproye beneficial We are perfectly
willing to go down there, and when there
j. a general council of our people held
there to deliberate for the welfare of the
State. the generous and sensible Demo
crsts OF the Third District Will not visit
upon the party thst they have always so
nobly sustained and which is the true eI-
ponent of their political faith, ven
resnce for supposed offences committed
by teir gentlemen who were not acting
at the time as representatives OF the
Democratic party in any policy author
lied by its convention or regular author
,ties. learn with regret that there
are persons dissatisfied with the
action Of the Committee in this matter,
bu, l have found in our party quite 3
number Of persons Who never suggest
any sensible line Of voting themselves,
but wait until some action Is determined
upon. and then give vent 20 ill-natured
criticism without according to others the
riyh, OF individual opinion or conceding
proper motives to those charged for the
time being with the regulations OF
the party machinery think
their employment must be very
limited when they attempt
10 make q mountain out OF mole hill
For mysslf, pay but little attention TO
such csrping criticism, being confident
that the judlcious, sensible, thinking men
of our party will at least approve our mo-
tive, however much they may differ with
us IN the exercise of our Judgment
accept nv full share Of whatever respon.
sibility attaches TO the selection OF
Charleston as the place for holding the
next Democratic State Convention.


With sentiments Of high personal re.
gard, Yours truly,