The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-10-26
sNTUKDAY nOBSING, Ocr. 20.
worKIngmen's Associations.

WOFkinEm mems AaSOclatIohS'
The Register of yesterday has some
remarks addressed to those who have
been Inclined 10 get up an independent
polI,lcal organization under the name
Of a Workingman's Association. 1t
regards the formation OF such party
as uncAlled for by reason Of the fact
that the Democratic party affords an all
sufficient organization for laboring
men OF whatever class. All that is
needed IS the success OF the Democracy
at the ballot box. Once in power that
parry will see to the rights AID Interests
OF the toiIiug millions.
This is d very pretty theory on paper.
Bat It proceeds upon the idea OF an eH-
cesslye amount OF Ignorance, forget
fuIness and stupidity among those Tor
whom 1t is intended. II was the work
ing masses of the country that rose in
their might and overthrow the Demo-
cratic party in 1850, on the ground that
instead OF being in any sense the party
oflabor it was the party of aristocracy,
oIigarcby, and slavery.
The Republican party owed its vi
tality and success TO the bone and
siuew Of the country. The weakness
and decay OF Democracy was its devo-
ton to Il class interest at the South, and
that interest consisted in the ownership
and degradation OF labor. The leading
men Of the party were theslaves of that
interest. The New York World, in a
recent editorial, recounted this proml-
neut shOrtCOming Of the Democracy,
and warned those at present charged
with its resuscitation, against any at
tempt TO re- establish the old ideas and
proclivities of the party. The Term
"mudsill" was a contemptuous express
sion, first applied by prominent Dem
ocratic Senator, and it was-anotheT
Democratic Senator who, from hisPlace
in Congress. enunciHted the dogma that
the normal condition OF labor was to be
owned by capital.
The Democracy were the implacable
foes OF a general school system for the
education of the masses. over and
over again several OF the organs of that
party denounced free society as II fail
IRE. We were told that Northern
"greasy mechanic" was mot a lit COM
panion to n Southern gentleman's body
servant" The party, AS a party, OPP
posed the Homestead Bill. In the old
State of Virginia they exempted val
uabIe slave property from taxation and
reduced the assessment on all slaves to
mere nominal sum. They impoverish-
ed and bar barized the masses to such an
extent that in Virginia in 1850 there
were 10000 adult whites who could
neither read nor write.
In what sense then, we should like TO
know, was the Democratic party ever
the ally or friend ofIubor? What claim,
even the slightest, has that party upon
the patronage of working MANI To
what record can 1t appeal? Upon what
data do It's promises rest? Where are
the laws that were passed during its
long continuance i'll power, in The inter
est of labot2 Point us 10 the monu-
menIs on behaIfof American industry
either projected or reared by its hands.
The strength of the party lies to-day,
as for years past, in the South, among
those who rebeIled against the idea
that the masses should rule this Gov
eminent. The rebellion was nothing
more than an attempt 20 discard the
power OF the ballot. the verdict of the
million, and to subordinate the whole
theory Of equal rights between the la
borer and the capitalist. The election
of Mr.. Lincoln was derided as the ele-
walton ola plebian By II party of piebian
ideas. and SO was tine nomination OF
johnson as late as the year 1854. The
Democratic party at the South was
an organization OF caste and class
Ideas. Flrst-iamiIyism controlled its
policy, and it prescribed, as in South
Carolina, extreme property qualffica'
lions. The poor whites were more like
90 many PersiauP ariahs than Ameri'
can freemen. Industry, art, enterprise,
progress OF every kind withered away
wherever the scope OF its influence ex-
tended at the South.
We shosld think that workingmeu
would feel themselves hard pushed in
deed for resort when they seek u home
in the Democratic party. Whatever
NAV be their. grievances or com.
plants sgainst those at present in
power, they cannot but dread return
Of the old Democratic regime. There is
a naturalness about popular reform
through the agency of great industrial
organization that sPrang from the loin'
ofthe people, and that is allied with Sc
much that is good and progressive ii
the land, belts excuses what they may
lust as there is an unnaturainess in at
tempting to galvanize the remnant o
an organization that gave its best days
to the incubation aud patronage o
principles that illuminated in an oper
attempt 10 destroy the Government.
GeS. S1sEL. WIN. CULLEN BRYAN
and HENRY WARD BERCHER have
iN.na !, r,ntitinn for the impeaChmenI