The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-03-09

tion proposed 10 stfiho onoii ooAo
90 bodily over to the party whose crimes
and 46aliesthey had deprecated, sre'now
disposed to repent their rashness.
The cant of sustaining the Admins
tration; of affirming that the whole poll
cc Of the Government was definitely set
tied by Mr. LINCoLN's election, is about
4,iayl,r ohtb Hewitt ever deceived any
one, OF why it was ever selected for
deception, it is hard to understand.
The very idea of such policy or
principal is so entirely repugnant, not
only to republicanism, but to all sound
eoSernnent, that we heard its enuncia-
tion with amazement. We could but
think that most Of those who proclaimed
il had already sold themselves to power,
and were so anxious to complete the bar
gain that any excuse was deemed suffi-
sient.
Others were influenced by other rea-
sons; hy despair of ever doing any good
by opposition, and the foolish hope by
securing agreement to conoiliste and di-
rect what they could not resist. Others
were governed by fear-fear OF losses in
business or credit. Whicheverthey were
actuated by, the policy was wrong.
In our opinion, Mr.. LINcoIN's election
only settled that he was to be President,
and nothing else whatever. 1t did not
make single principal right that was
wrong before, or make it the duty OF
any citizen to cease resistance to meas
ures he deemed oppressive.
The opinion of any citizen is just as ga
cred rs that of Mr. LINCOLN and his Cab
met and he has the same right to press
his opinions upon his fellow-citizens as
Mr.. LINCOLN has.
To hear the arguments of these gentle
men, one would suppose that every four
years the people transferred themselves
ike cattle, to one person who, as Presi-
dent. was their complete master-so
nnch so that it was species of treason
to hold or avow opinions contrary TO
those held by the President. Just SUCH
views as these were avowed soon after
the Presidential election; and not only
such papers as dissentea from them were
sharply rebuked, but even those who did
not join in the cry were censured as
keeping up a spirit of party against the
Interests of the country.
We are glad to see that true view Is
now being taken No election, no event
of any kind can in any way restrict the
rioht Of the citizen to hold opinions and
his duty to express them. The election
of no mau to office gives his opinions, or
the opinions of his party, any more sa-
greatness than those who disagreed with
him. The duty to resist and oppose them
in every way possible, by speech and pen,
is even more urgent than previous to his
election. If his opinions were so danger
ons as to demand opposition before ne
came into office, how much more impor-
faint if is to combat these when the dan
,,er is increased tenfold by the mere fact
of his having secured the power and OPP
portunity conferred by office.
We cannot understand those who be-
for. the election protested to believe, and
uro.J others to- believe, that the views
b.IJ lax Mr. LINCOLN would certainly
r,;n the country, but who now not only
do all in their power to promote those
views hut also censure others VINO 90
pot ;sin in the same destructive work
They proceed upon the theory OF sub
servicncy; that 10 elect man to ONCE
makes all his views during the term the
only policy of the country, opposition to
,rbicb i treason We hold that those
views bind no one but the President
elect and not only bind him so long as
10 does hold them. We don't look upon
-, election "a final settlement Of the
policy of the country
If think his emancipation, contsca-
zion. murderation policy is wrong, we
win onnosc it. We will try to persuade
him to change, or if that is possible, force
, different policy on the country over his
head
1t is folly to assert OF MAINTAIN that a
minority has not an influence and duties
in a country, or that it ever ceases or
oncbt to cease So soon as one party
grows sufficiently powerful to disregard
the opinions OF the minority, it becomes
AN oligarchy, and thopeople are enslaved.
Whenever the people consent to sustain
and approve certain views, not because
they are right, but because cert ain per
.op WAS elected who held them, they had
better give up having elections altogeth-
or and appoint ruler to relieve them
of the farce Of going through the form
of thinking once in every period OF four
wears. 1t is always right at all times to
oppose wrong opinions and resist wrong
acts, 40 matter who fathers them.
CL. Editors OF the Wheeling Inscili-
gcncer. "tS#
900 this man is ransacking the COZ