The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-05-13
THE CRISIS.
What should Honest Patriotic We
do to save the Country

what Sh0ul0 IhOncbt NhSu
do TO save the Country
Editor of the Register:
1t is already manifest that the pres
ent party in power is beginning to fall
to pieces from its own rottenness and
folly. Its attempt to impeach the Pres
ident, whatever may be the result, must
finish the party if the opposition act
wisely. The recent statement i'll the
Richmond press Of the settled course to
be pursued by our friends in the South
than whom / don't believe any in the
country are at present more loyal to the
good old institutions of our fathers, il
fairly treated-looks well. Like the
predigal son they have wandered, lost
their substance, fed upon the husks,
and returned fully prepared to appre-
ciate Alright the excellence of our insti-
tutions, when administered in accord
ance with their true spirit and mean
ing. They say they will vote for any
candidates their friends in the old free
States shall Select-expecting of course,
that the selection of candidates will be
such rs will secure success, and thereby
save the Government. This wise
and deferential offer on their
part imposes additional respon-
sibility on us, and should evoke
all the energy, wisdom and prudence
we possess. The work to be accom-
plished is no light task. The present
party in power has the prestige OF VIC
tory in the late war, and the deep seat
ed preiudices which that long and
bloody struggle engendered in its favor;
and they will appeal to both with the un-
serupulousness and energy of desper-
alton itself. 1t behooves the opposition
then, submit, to treat these prejudices,
however unreasonable they may ap-
near at this time, as realities, to use
every precaution and husband wisely
and prudently every resource. 1t must
surrender any peculiar dogmas which
the safety and protection OF slavery,
while existing, n"cessltated and invoked
as that of extreme State rights, which
eliminated in attempted secession;
and modify at least its party name,
which, however accurately descriptive
of the true structure of our Government,
has been rendered offensive to many by
the use it has been put to in the late
war, though its true definition con-
tains no warrant for such o use.
Isubmit the constitutional Demo
cratic party" would we'll express the
qualities and truths now required to be
exemplified and enforced, viz: that the
people and not CongreSs,!as is Eow as
sumed by the party in power, possess
the SOrereign po,rer, and that 1t Is thelr
right and duty to administer the Gov
|ernment through their chosen agents,
who are religiously bound to conform
at all times, to the written Constitu-
tisn and their oaths, as they conScien-
tiously understand them, and that each is
accountable for his acts to his God, and
the people, his masters, and to no other
po,eer. It will, at the same time, most
strikingly distinguish the opposition
from the party in power, which sets all
Constitutions at defiance, as we'll as
their masters.
The persons who are selected for can
didates should have made for themselve;
such records during the war as shall moi
be Objectionable to any who were active
earnest Union men during that period
Any other will be artfully applied tC
stir up deep seated prejudice, and repe
many whose cooperation is indispen'
sable to success. We ell know thai
it was Clay and Webster Wing:
and Jacksonian Democrats, impelleo
by love of country, that eonstitu
ted the Union war party anc
achieved the victory. These have
no love or affinity for the present crack
Drained leaders of the party in power
but yearn for new and more congenia
afiliation. But many have deep seat
ed prejudice engendered by the war
which cannet be ignored, but should b'
respected and conciliated in the selee
tion of candidates.
The statesman and successful leade
accepts men as he finds them-treat'
their predictions and prejndices, how
ever unreasonable they may appear u
some, as substantial realities to thos'
possessing them, aud shapes his course
accordingly. No other will be success
full. Many of the grave errors OF tn
party in power arise from their pro
| found ignorance of the true natureeant
disposition Of the subjects they are a
work upon. They do not understand
the people they are trying to recon
struct, either white or black; and there
fore, while impelled by the worst pas
sions, they ego it blisf-and attemP,'
by mere acts Of Congress and the sworu
to restore peace and harmony, and low
and fidelity to the Government by re
versing Gods lay and making those o
profoundest ignorance with all its terri
BILE acconpaniments--the law maker
and rulers over people ofintelligence ant
tcharacter-as unwise and unphilosoph
lical as their taking the rhetorical -four
lishes contained in the Declaration OF In
dependence and their own wild fancie
and abnormal consciences instead Of tn
| written Constitution-for their guide
The people are tired of these vagaries
and demand for their leaders Uen, pos
sealing in some degree at least, the bon
eat hard commen sense which so sigma
j 10 5isk;u yuisbed the founders OF Tn