Cooper's Clarksburg Register

To the Editor of the Register:

Dear Sir:—Please indulge a subscriber with a few reflections on the state of political matters in our county. The time is closely approaching when the voters of this county will be called upon to vote for their county officers, who will be by no means few on both sides. I mean, whigs and democrats, yet no steps are being taken to prepare for the contest, by our democratic friends—no meetings have been held; nor as far as I have heard, likely to be held, and facts go to prove that the party is perfectly indifferent to their interest in the struggle; they do not consider that their reputation as a party is involved in the election of county officers, as well as in the election of their legislators or senators. They do not consider that many small defeats will inevitably lead to a state of misrule and distraction in their ranks, which will afford ample scope for succeeding and heavier defeats? Defeats did I say?—Why that is improbable. What, defeat! Why, the Democrats have a decided majority in this county! they can easily elect their officers! Such might have been the impression, and such the words of the party before the recent election for delegates took place, yet they witnessed a result disgraceful to the reverse, and simply for a want of proper organization of the party—a unanimity of sentiment and action. Such was the presumption of Santa Anna on the field of "Buena Vista," yet old Zac, by a signal manoeuvre—by a well concerted movement—overthrew the vaunting chieftain, and stamped his enterprise with disgrace. Remember that victory is not always to the strong—united we stand, divided we fall. Democratic friends, though we have a considerable majority in the county, we may by inattention to our interests, be overthrown by our opponents, who will take advantage of our confused situation, and by subterfuge and cunning schemes, will succeed in electing the men of their choice. Then friends, why do you delay acting in a matter so important to your welfare? Now is the time, the very time, to be up and doing. Will not the whole democracy of Harrison second the motion of calling mass meetings in the different precincts of the county, for the purpose of appointing delegates to attend a general convention to be held in Clarksburg, on the -- day of March next, to nominate candidates for the different offices, and thereby give the party a chance to select the men of their choice? and not to suffer independent candidates, who are generally maniac aspirants, to break down and distract the party. Such are easily dispensed with, by the simple rule of not voting for them, and supporting those of whom the party approved.

I will wait for the concurrence of my friends. Let us hear from you.

JUNIUS.

February 6th, 1852.