The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-05-19
The Organ swalIoweih Itself.

peared in the editorial columns of tn
Intelhgencer of yesterday. In calliu
attention to the article it is not our pul
pose to attempt defence of that Sen
ator. His vote is its own best justifica
tion, and the Senator is clearly as indie
pendent of newspaper aid as he ha
been shown to be, of partisan influenc
of whatever character. At the sam
time, vindication from his accuser
while not needed by him, will not b.
useless as showing the motive that die
tated this outrageous attack. We quot,
from the IRtelligencer of yesterday:
We desire to say to our Republican
exchanges in the other States that th,
betrayal of the Republican cause which
was accomplished in the Senate of tn,
United States last Saturday by the vot,
of West Virginia Senator, Peter G
Van Wrinkle, was also betrayal of tht
trust reposed in him by the legal people
of this State, who are covered will
shame and filled with indignation at hi
treachery.
To all his other offences Mr.. Val
Wrinkle has added the blackest ingrati
tude.
But the crowning act of treachery
aud malignity was reserved for this cri
sis, chosen by him and his coadjutort
with a belief that the life of the organ
ization they sought to destroy might bt
taken at single blow.
Whatever men may say of Fessendeu
or CRIMES, or any one else, their con
duct is as fair as the sun compared with
that of Van Wrinkle, who seems to have
been dead TO every sentiment of Honor
or gratitude or duty to his people and
his friends.
1t seems impossible that a man with
the sense of honor which we have hith'
erto attributed to him could have done
what he has done.
Upon the 18th of April the same pa.
per, speaking of the manner in which
the Herald invoked Senator VAN WIN.
KLE to vote for acquittal, said:
1t is scarcely supposable Mr.. Bennett
can present the case to these gentlemen
stronger than it is presented to them in
the Senate Chamber. If their study of
the case there fails to satisfy them of
tho Presidents innocence, Mr.. Bennett
is not likely SO to illuminate the subject
as to effect that end. Indeed he does
not attempt to address their judgments,
but appeals to other motives and con.
sideratiOns.
We venture there was not one of the
Senators named, when he read the arti-
Gle thus tlippantly discussing question
that rests weightily upon his honor and
conscience, and advising him in effect
that honor and conscience have nothing
to do with the decision, but that he
should be governed by considerations of
expediency, ambition, likes or dislikcs,
who did not feel glow of indignant
resentment at the disrespect, and worse,
which such an appeal implies. Men
like these arc not to be swayed in so
important matter by newspaper arti-
cles-much less dragooned by such u
sheet ms the Herald.
1t is to be assumed such men, if we
grant they have no consciences, have
some self-respect and some regard for
their regulations.
30 far as our own Senator, Mr.. Van
HSsnkis s,aIs is se%Snnesrnsd %ns %s are confident
Yam Winkle is a man who is apt to hare
opinions of his o,rn, and for these opinions
has rery considerable respect. He is, more
Orer, man of most scrupalOus honesty,
and Of the finest sense Of honor, and such
suggestions as Mr.. Bennett offers, im-
plying as they do to an easiness Of con-
science as regards HE sworn obligation
in this matter, cannot be other than Of
fensi ye to him.
The above is reasonably conclusive
against the article of yesterday. From
that article we quote again:
He never was representative man.
He was elected through the influence OF
his wealth and social position added to
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. he
was a man who had never felt an i'm
pulse of sympathy with the political
tenets of those who elected him.
His political inspiration is drawn
from Baltimore, and his beau-ideal OF
craftsmanship is Reverdy Johnson
During his five years in the Senate he
has rarely or never represented our
people in any important vote. He is as
obliyious of their interests,a as regardless
of their preferences, as unmindful OF
obligation to them for the place ht
holds, as if he were the Great Mogul.
Mr.. Van Wrinkles responsibility IL
this matter is one we would not care to
shoulder. His single vote decided
Had he been able to elevate himself tc
the level of q statesman and declare
what johnson himself confesses and
what is notorious to the whole world
Andrew Johuson would now be pri
vate citizen and the country would b
tranquil and hopeful. But now 1
through him come new troubles to th'
country, fresh riots and violence ant
bloodshed Ito the South, whom shall WI
hold guilty 7
This is handsomely set off by the fol
lowing encomium, from the Intelligence
I
of April 18th:
IfVan Wrinkle were to vote withou
regard to the obligation which lie tool
to do Justice according to the law an
evidence, we believe he would repre-
sent in his vote the views and wishe
of his constituents, even if his persona
inclinations were opposed to then
But there is not man in the Senate Wh
is more certain TO rote Nth scrapaloas r,
qard 10 nhat he belieres under his oath to
justice according to the lao and eridene
We hope the vote will show Mr.. Va
Wrinkle convinced of Mr.. johnson
guilt. If otherwise, while we shoul
greatly regret the result, disappointin
as it would the convictions and hope
of the large mass of his constituents
ice hare too much respect for the man to pc
met Tie thought, much less the charge, tn
in roting against the Wishes and eoRrlct'o'
of the party that placed him in the SeHd
he did so under the weight Of any improp'
considerations.
To show how silly some people can
with slight effort, we quote the conclr
sion of the IntelligeHcer's latest opinio