Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-08-11
Saturday Morning, Aug. II, 1880.
Ii no respect is the essential difference

II 1GSflEGL A. Tue CSSG0G464
between the Republican party, and all the
Democratic parties, greater than in that
of federation. Ours is free country, in
theory at last: our institutions are based
on the liberty of speech and of the press.
Every Auericaucitizeuh has constitutional
right TO discuss any proper subject of
human inquiry, and it is his duty TO ex-
anime every. one that affects the political
institutions under which he lives. This
great right which lies at the foundation of
our system of government is fully .ecog-
nized in that plan Of the country, where
the Republican principles prevail: it is in
4 degree nulli6ed where the Democrats
rule. In New England, every State is
Republican, jet the largest discussion is
invited, the people flock to hear the argu-
ment of the other side, and unless when
disturbed by some opposing factions of
their own party, the most ultra and I'M
acceptable Democratic doctrines find re-
specIful audience and only decorous reply.
One Of the Democratic candidates has just
been travelling through that part of the
country, and although he has been con-
stantly in the presence of crowds of his
political opponents, and probably has not
made speech where majority of his
listeners agreed with him, he was every
where been received with due respect to
his position and to the preference which
large number of the people entertain for
hao
great demonstrations for him, and his
opponents have generously seconded these
efforts to make the occasions pleasant and
creditable, not only to the good order, but
to the hospitality of the community
How would it be if the Republican candi-
date for the Presidency should pass
through the Democratic States! What
would be his reception in Alabama or
Mississippi Nay, what is the reception
even of the Democratic candidate for Vice
President on the ticket that is not accept
able to thS majority. 1t is with difficulty,
aud only in certain places, that Gov.
johnson can speak in his own State, and
then amidst Kisses and groaus. Sonina-
ted by convention of more than half the
States of the Union, for the second Office
in the nation, he cannot command re-
spectful hearing before his own immediate
fellow-citizens. To excuse themselves for
preventing Republican meetings, they call
the Republicans abolitiouists, and allege
the presence of an institution which cam
not safely bear discussion. This certainly
cannot apply to q man like Gov. johnson,
who is doubtless a STAKEHOLDER himself,
and who has given abundant proof Of
ais attachment to the institutions of tue
South. No one can call him an abolition
ist. Why then, is he refused the right of
declaring his sentiments, and of urging
their claim before his own people. This
is to be explained only by the intolerance
of the Democratic party: the unavowed
consciousness that the principles of the
party will not bear discussion, that groans
and Kisses, and when these fail, missiles
and bludgeons are the hest arguments for
the Democratic policy-tbe appropriate
illustrations of its principles are practiced.
Nor is this spirit confined to one faction of
the Democratic party, it was equally mani
tested where the Douglas men refused
hearing to the man who had long been
their ostracized leader, who was their
representative in the National Convention.
The same Democratic arguments that put
down Gov. Johnson in Georgia, were quite
as effective against Mr.. Butler, in Aasaa-
chusetts; and, if their numbers would
justify it, the two factions would join in
the latter State, as readily as in the form
er, to put down any man who should
advocate the election of Lincoln. The
spirit of the party does not change with
its latitude.
1t is our belief that in this country doc
trines which will not bear the light will
not ultimately prevail, that principles
which cannot be safely discussed, cannot
be prudently applied to government. The
Republicans invite, everywhere, the widest
and fullest debate. If they are wrong
they are willing to be convinced; they
only ask that their opponents may subject
their doctrines to tho same test, and that
both may abide the deliberate and inform
ed judgment of the American people.
THH wellsburg Herald, of yesterday,