The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-10-10
The Only Argument


The Only Argument
We have yet to see single argument
worthy of the name, put forth to prove
that the Republican party should De sue
cessful in this State and county III tne
elections this fall. We have seen numer-
GUS and frantic appeals issued Dy 'ne
ofice-holding class to arouse their former
supporters to vigilance and activity IN
the work of securing the triumph OF the
Republican party at the polls but what
GOOD reason has been urged9 Why should
the men who have heretofore voted with
the Republican party in this State con-
t;nue. to labor for its euccessi what
good work does that party proposet to do
what measure for the prosperity OF the
State does it propose to adopt! Let 1t
show cause" why it still claims ascen-
dency here We used to be told that the
Republican party supported the war and
therefore all who favored the Federal
Government should show that favor by
voting with the Republican party The
argument was himsy one at best, but
with all it's fimsiness has it any
application now ? The war has
ended peace is restored again and
there is now no war in which this
government is engaged which any polit-
ical party can support or oppose We
nsed to be told that the Republican par
tv Vas in tavor of the maintenance of
the Union, therefore every man who
owed the Union of the States should lend
his aid to strengthen the Republican par
ty. This argument never had any real
foundation, for there were teus of thous-
ands of men who opposed the policy OF
the Republican party who were just as
earnest and more consistent lovers OF the
Union than they. + But even granting
that it once had. force, has it any now 2
The Union is restored beyond doubt or
eavil, and throughout all its broad do
main there is no political party that
wishes that Union dissolved We used
to be told that the Republican party was
opposed to negro slavery, therefore, all
who condemned the system as practiced
in the Southern States, should vote with
the Republican party. Well. slavery
has been abolished, not by the Constitu-
ton it is true, but finally and completely
abolished Tho object at which the Re-
publican party has been aiming having
been attained, is there any good reason
for its perpetuation ? We know what
its past has been, but before giving it n
new lease ofpower, let US know what are
its future aims.
,1 In this county it has not dared to pro-
claim a single principle by which its fu-
ture course is to be guided. 1t has re-
trained from expressing its opinion upon
any of the questions now agitaring the
people of the United States. We have
alluded above to the arguments it used to
put forth, simply because it has, nor no
az EGaats at all But Notwithstanding
it has hesitated to avow its piesent po-
sition and declare its future intentions,
the people may infer what its advocates
want when they appeal to the people fol
its support. That inference may be
summed up in one word-oFFICE That
and that alone is the aim OF the party.
What care they for the prosperity of the
State, if the Offices are guaranteed to
Shem2 What care they for the vel
tare OF the people, if the people
will bat give them QFcS What matters
it whether they proclaim any intentions
OF adopt any platform, provided the peo
pie will give them office For the sake
of office they are willing to drive out the
inhabitants of twenty counties en- htassf
For the sake of Office, they are willing to
violate the constitution they have sworn
to support
We challenge denial of these facts, and
ask how any man who has the welfare OF
his State at heart can lend his vote to
give power to those whose ruling motive
is thirst for Office and who eanuot SHOW
single good reason why they should be
put In office or what benefit they intend
to bring upon the State.