Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-04-12
Gillotine.

We have heard much OF the prescription prac-
ticed by CORNER adminisn atoms, Wing and Demo
cratic, out the "oldes: inhabitanr' has never wit
messed such universal prescription as that practc-
ed by the present Administration. In all parts of
the country from the most petty post masters to the
highest Federal officers, the decapitation has been
lndiscrimnate and universal No matter what may
s have been the course of the incumbent, whether
81 he has acted violent parizan or as the most
. moderate provided only he exercises his right to
vote as freeman, his name is his accuser and he
is gillotined without judge or jury. Indeed ex-
tenSive has been the swoop of executive vengeance
that in many instances we doubt not Democratic
incumbents have been victimized upon suspicion,
an from the bare fact that the magnanimity of the
TiagWhig administration had suffered them o remain
"a, IN Office and in some instances even appointed
hni them. We have complaint to utter against
Wig this course Its fruits must be its measure but we
' may be pardoned for looking back with melancholy
pride at the early days of the Republic, when ISIS
aS he honest, is he capable, is he ftl'' were the
questions and the only questions propounded about
candidates for executive favor, and not 'to what
S party does he belong "has he dared TO vote for
eqsWhig, &C., &c?'' But this is only one of the
-, many instances in which the principles and the
Nh practice of the Executives of the Union have de-
parted from the simple and pure practice of our
." foretathers, and while we cannot but regret the
departure from the pure principles. of the early
days of our Republic, we may yet hope that tits
not SO bad as appears, and that though the vessel
re of our hopes and fortunes has been diverted
g. for while from the direct course in which her
PROV was fixed by the virtue and patriotism of
al Washington and his revolutionary associates yet
there is redeeming aud instructive principle Of
Justice and patriotism in the great body of the
people and that they in times of trial will be found
trueito their destiny and will yet re-esablish the
~ reign of merit rather than of party. We are no
90 partizan and would condemn in any administration
suchsreckless prescription for opinions sake, and
~ we can truly say that regret the course of the
present administration in this particular, as it is
well calculated IMPAIR if destroy, the liberal
feelings cherished by The greatest portion of the
Wings of the Union towards the new administra-
Go ton thus to create opposition to the measures
which had else received the cordial support of that
g party "To the victors belong the spos, ,, is
maxim only fitted lor actual and conquest and
even then its practice is much modified by the
oai rules OF eiohzed war lare, but for such maxim
to be practced in Union and among men hav-
~ 4 ing common interest and common destiny,
furnishes melancholy commentary upon the ex-
saw cesses and the blindness of party feeling. If re-
'H wards necessaryto ensure future success may
10 we not well ask where is the integrity, the purity
d 70. and the much talked of inherent excellence of
',s s Democratic pnnciples2 .Ds4c-