The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-02-03
'loNDAT slOHNINe. FEBRUARY =.

noNDAT noRNINe, FEnRUARY q,
a specimen OF what may be ApPre-
hrnIed shOuId the Democracy OBJ
tain Power.
The reason why intelligent, reflective
Union men fear and oppose the return
OF the Democracy to power is a certain
apprehension they entertain that reac-
tionary legislation in favor OF the re-
bellion would be attempted. This is
certainly not an unfoundel Hpprehen-
sion when we consider the fact that
every man who sympathized with the
rebellion, North and South, is found in
the ranks of the Democratic party. The
recent action OF the Democracy in Ohio
we mean the representatives OF that
party in the Legislature-afords a
specimen Of what might be appre-
hended. They have repealed the act
Of "A former Legislature ratifying the
fourteenth amendment to the Con-
stitution OF the United States
What further action the same party
would take in the same direc-
zion had they au opportunity eau
only be matter OF conjecture. We are
Obliged TO judge the future Of parties,
as OF individuals, by their past and
present status, and no man can say
that the record of the Democracy for
several years past has been above sus-
picion. We all know that nearly every
law that has been passed through the
Two houses of Congress, or through the
various State legislatures, adverse in
it's nature to slavery and rebellion, has
either had their active or passive OPP
position and hostility. Apparently they
have never in a single instance sympa-
thized with any hearty or vigorous ac-
ton on the part Of the Government for
the full aud effectuRl deliverance of the
country from either the causes or ves-
tiges of the rebellion. No wonder the
people who were against slavery and
the rebellion during the war are
afraid TO trust the Government in
the hands OF those whom thev
did not see standing by their side
throughout those four years. 1t
does not necessarily argue any
fanatieism on their part to thus dis.
trust In peace the men whom they dis.
trusted in war. Tho fact is that the
pressure on the people must become
ialmost intolerabIe to Induce them
TO accept the return OF such mon %
power. II can only happen as a protes,
ngainst either actual or Rpprehended
excuses on the part of those already
dominant. 1t cannot take place fol
years to come except As choice Of evils
Mr.. Raymond, of the New YorR
Tunes, during his brief aoIOurn in the
Democratic camp, in the fall Of 1865
received an experience that he has re
Gently given to the country in the shaP,
ola letter. He attributed the failure o
tho Philadelphia Convention in part tC
the attempt OF the Democratic BOurbonr
to bring on reaction. The same crowd
that crushed him out, and all such
men as him, is the same crowd thai
here in West Virginia is feeling It's way
and that in the recent State Convention
rebuked .he moderate element In sucl
"a noticeable manner. It Is the same
crowd that in Maryland went back re-
Gently ON its allies OF Union auteee,
ANAAN7a tAHN EANNAS0 ~ AAt IL D. G9euuLe
an original secession sympathizer, like
Hamilton, over such men as Reverdy
johnson and Governor Swami, even al
though Johnson and Swami had don,
more since the war to restore the part,
TO power than half dozen Hamlltons
The people notice these rOactionarS
manifestations on the part of Democra
cy whenever it has n prospect of power
How can they help noticing them
And how can they help feeling appre
. hensive as to what the leaders would at
tempt were they replaced in their. OLE
POsitionsr What could be expected a
the hands OF men of such antecedent,
AS Hamilton and Thurman, two o
their recently elected representatives,
Would there be no cause for anxiety
We're the United States Senate made nj
of such menf With johnson at thu
helm aud such men in Congress, woult
it not be next IN order, as once sus
gested by Harper's Weekly, to inscribC
ON the headsIones OF the Union deat
elm memory OF the heroes who fell in
useless war ?"