The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-03-01

I times, and none have responded with a
I heartier amen than those whose hands
were deepest in the Treasury and their
/ pockets plethoric with moneys dishon-
est!y gained. Those patriotic Ken
/ lucky patriots who came back from the
: wars to breath life into "the eSanimate
! Democracy" II asked to make a person
al application of their elegant generali-
zatious TO The beloved Breckinridge, the
/ ponderous Marshall, or the polished
Preston would be slow to do il. They
simply sing an old song without caring
to inquire whether it has meaning or
J not. 1t answered for party purposes
! before they turned traitors, and thew
assume II Will subserve the same end
now that they have turned patriots,
The Significance of the Frankfort
/ Convention is to be gathered from its
acts and not its declarations. The same
declarations, with such additions as are
needed 10 meet present. exigencies of
/ politics, did not prevent them from dis
honoring their State and country, and
would be no restraint upon them were
favorable opportunity offered for Sec
/ ond war upon the Union. 1t is to the
acts OF the Convention that we must
LOOK Tor its significance. From what
class OF men did the Convention select
Its nominees? They are all Southern
rights men, anti-wsr men, and one a
Confederate officer" answers the Lou
lsVllle Democrat, and all their nomi-
nees for Congress, with single excep-
tion' have been Southern sympathizers
and anti-war Democrats. OF this class.
unquestionably, is the nominee for
Governor who, having been presented
10 the convention, said Significantly,
that in view of surrounding circum-
stances, If he should be elected Chief
Magistrate, he should be controlled by
prudence, but, by HeaVeni would
I
General Wolford, Union officer, with
a brilliant war record, was proposed for
7 Lieutenant Governor, but that record
was as damaging to him in such a con-
Ventlon as II will be honorable to him
IN the history OF his country. He stood
no more chance of being made the nom
inee OF the Convention than of being
voted gold medal for gallant services.
The preference was given to John w.
Stephenson, whose political status can
not be misapprehended after reading
the following passage from the speech
made in response TO the nominations:
81 can only pledge you what Won
know, that born and cradled in the no.
iitlcal faith of Virginia, a State Rights
Democrat, have not changed in that
respect. That born and brought mn
upon virginia soil, and an upshoot of
virginia Democracy, have attempted
10 Illustrate in my lie what my father
laught and illustrated in his life. He
was the bosom friend of jackson, and
II ms memory or spirit can be over me-
thlnk he VIII say never deserted nv
early political teaching in this faith. 1
was born in this faith, have lived in
his ihis taith and IN this faith hope to die.
The hrst Kentucky resolution sprang
/ from Virginia, and they stood together
In Its trying crisis of 1898, so l trust
they Will always stand, and that in the
trying crisis which is now before us.
Kentucky Will not desert her political
teachings"
OF the character of the Convention
there can be no debut, after perusaI
of single paragraph in the speech of
the same gentleman, made at the open
ing of the proceedings
III ] might pass to personal con-
sideration, there is name dear to my
heart and trembling on my lipS-the
name of John G. Breckinridge. tGreat
and continued cheers.) 1 would appeal
oy all that We owe him-I would ap-
peal in the name of those men who
went to fight for what they believed
constituted their liberties, who are not
yet pardoned-I would appeal by eve
~ consideration, that we discharge to-
day our duty as freemen."
A further inquiry into the proceed
tngs of the Convention is not required
to determine what was its temper or the
character of it's acts. Itmauifests de-
ltberate determination to put the OFF,
cial power of the State into the hands
of extreme men, who believe in the
right of a State to secede, and who
stand ready, if in their opinion
the political exigencies require it,
10 draw up an ordinance of se-
=WFNWN TO-
but considerations of personal welfare
and the hoPelessness OF an armed con-
test with the General Government
would restrain them and call into ex-
ercise that prudence which Mr.. Helm
proposes shall guide him in the admin
istration of affairs. AS far as it is po-
ntic to do so, Union men are to be ex-
ciuded from office, not by legal pro-
scription, but by the more restrictive
power of popular sentiment; and the
people are to be carefully indoctrinated
in those pernicious political heresies
that led 10 secession in 1861, and the
war that followed as its consequence.
Such is the programme laid down by
the kentucky Democracy. II becomes
the Union men of the State to gravely
consider whether they shall cooperate
in carrying IL out, or whether, consid-
ering their strength, they shall not con-
vince these seceSsioniStS that those men
who kept Kentucky within the circle
Of the Union, are still powerful to hold
her tirm in that position. Its a ques-
ton that becomes personal in its nature,
for its decision viii affect their peace
and security. The logic of the princi-
pies of State rights and Federal rela-
tions declared by the Convention, leads
directly to an issue to be decided by
arms. We know where 1t carried Vir-
ginia, South Carolina, and the other
Southern States, and to what calamities
1t exposed them. II is for the Union
men of Kentucky to profit by the les
sons OF experience, for it is evident
those who shaped the deliberations of
This ConVention have NOT nrofited hyrl