Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-07-30
Tur ARous on FAxAr1clsN.-The Argus with

THI Argus on FANATICIsN.-The Argus with
that versatility of genius which distinguished its
illustrious namesake, yesterday morning turned
photographer, and exponnds to US the term Ia
matte and appears to be immensely delighted
with the idea that its definition can be stretched
over the head of Elihu Burritt Elihu Burritt,
we believe, has the reputation all over the world
of a great philologist, speaking las he does)
some fifty languages, all Of which no doubt
contain some word expressive Of fanatlciSn,
and he ought therefore to know what the word
means. Yet he says he has no sympathy with
fanaticisan-that he is not fanatic. But the
Wheeling Argus, which according to lastaccounts
did not sneak more than forty-ninc languages,
however many eyes it may have) says he Is
Betwecn two persons so nearly equal in talent,
learning aud worldwide experience as Elihu
Burritt and the AgYus, there is great room for
doubt as to what any word may mean.
We have no doubt that, had the Wheeling
argus been published in the days when the pri-
mitive gospel vas first preached, it would have
denounced it as fanaticism, because it wonid
have been sure to have been an administration
organ of King Herod Every country where
printing has becn introduced has its organs
which are but too glad to fall down atthe feet OF
the "powers that be, and worship at their bid
ding. The Paris Nouitsur and Constitutional
make haste to endorse the most tyrannicnl ex-
sections of Louis Napoleon. So in Russia, the
government gazettes say amen to every ukase
which they publish So in Wheeling the argus
whose bread and butter it is to deuounce all
opposition as fanaticisrn, feels called upon to
oppose and denonnce Elihu Burritt
The course of the Arg"y upon the position of
Gov. Walker, shows how wonderfully and radi-
calIy its opinion can be metamorphosed as to
what constitutes fanatic when convenient.
From fanaticism the AFgus proceeds TO pass
Judgment as to the constitutionality of the meas
ure which Mr. Burritt proposes. When MIR.
Jefferson purchased Louisiana of Napoleon, he
said he did something for which lie fouEd no
warrant in the constitution, but that the ext
gencies Of the times, together with the dictates
of common sense, called upon him to 10 as he
had done One would suppose from the way in
which tile 4rgus PIRATES about its regard for the
constitution, it would never have been the diSc-
pie of any one who had transcribed any of the
express powers Of the constitution. Yet werc
it necessary we could so back and show that
time aud again has this been the case ANY
one with half an eye can very readily see that
or unconsttutionality has moth.
inf Whatever to do with the question. 1t lisa
measure to be decided by the people of each
State for themselves. If they think that the
scheme will pay them, they fall in with tiff
not, they reject it. Where then is the sense or
propriety of Juggling in those distractions of 0s
and 90, about iniringements, &c? Itreally seems
MS if the Argus could not perform the most or
binary act of the animal economy without stop
ping to enquire about strict construction
We do not say that Elihu Burritt's proposition
will be found perfect onc-we have not so in
simulated AT ALL Upon this we do not pretend to
speak positively. Our opinion, however, is that
it will not bring about any universal action; but
Mt the same time, We believe it worthy of a can
did investigation Us tending to thro light upon
the great difficulties which surround the final
settlement of the question. The proposition
comes from good national man-onc who, as
we said before, had been Missed because he
dared to rebukc fanaticism in its strong hold;
yet the argus, because it was not scheme
looking to the reOpening of the slave trade or
something of that kind says it is fanaticn, Wis
ionary and impracticable. Had it been prop
osition to reopen the slave trade or to intro
iuce it into those States which now arc free
from it, the argus would have !coms out, and,
we venture the assertion, in Unreasonable terms,
would have Landed Mr., Burritt as great nation
al man. That is just the test of nationality and
constitutionality with the argus, one who goes
in for niggerism to the death. Let the heavens
faIl-let seed time and harvest fail, only let mig
gcrism grow and extend, says the Argus
p. S.-Sincc the above was in type we notice
our letter from Mr. Burritt, copied into the New
York Post with the following among other COM
ments upon IL:
Some years ago Mr. Webster avowed his will
singness to vote 5000, ZOO, 900, more or less, to
the purchase and emancipation of all the slaves
in the South. He regarded that as the only per-
manent remedy for the slavery agitation.