Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-06-16
THE PRESIDENCY.


Last week party of politicians friendly to
the candidacy of Chief Justice CHAsE for
the Presidency held meeting in the city of
Philadelphia, VIXEN committee of one hun~
dred vas appointed to present his name to
the National Democratic Copvendon which is
70 assemble on the 9TH Of July IL Ne" York.
The Wheeling Register which deserves to DO
regarded as the State organ Of the Demo.
cratic party of West Virginia, and whose edi-
tor is a delegate at large TO the NeT York
Convention, thus refers to the efforts being
made to pr. Mr.. Chase on the track:
"Peopie talk of Salmon P. Chase as the
Democratic candidate for President. The
psopls who do that sort of talking are not
generally Democratic people. For the most
part, they consist Of gentlemen who, falling
to rule the Republican party, have kindly
consented to take charge of the Democracy,
They generously agree that if the Democratic
parts will abandon its essential principles,
surpaas the Radicals ID clarifying the negro,
shout louder than the bond>holders for the
payment Of the bonds in specie ard nomi.
nste Chase for the Presidency, they will CO.
operate With the Democrats to the extent of
leading them and filing whatever oHces they
may havs to bestow.
While We are net disposed to underrate the
liberal spirit of these gentlemen, We are not
quite pepared to accept them as guides &nd
rulers We have become somewhat accus-
toned to the idea that men to lead must frst
have served, aud that for party to preserve
its self respect, if hot to achieve success, it
must have some regard for the ideas upon
whieh its organization is built, which give it
its force and en.itle it to the confidence of the
men Eho support it. In the estimation Of
men who regard victory and plumber as every.
thing, principle as noting, this may soem
number who are willing to brave the ridicule
which such a position entails.
The masses who compose the Democratic
party, believe that this Union ia composed Of
States whose right to control their own inter.
nal affairs il not to be questioned; they be-
l;sye the white race TO be capable Of self,
government, without the aid of the negro;
that tie currency which Congress compols
private citizens to accept should be good
enough for holders; that taxation should
be uniform, and that no species of property
should be specially exempt, and that militia
~ government over one third Of tho people
Is wrong aa3 an abomination. In order to
support Judge Chase the Democrats must re-
Dounce these opinions. They must accept
the ideas that the highes. race in the world
cannot preserve free government without 60
ing into partnership with the loTestj that
the military IS superior to the civil power;
and that the working clSsses Of the land must
mortgage their energies to secure to priVll-
eyed class, substantial golden value, while
themselves receiving the painted fancies of
paper circulation They must renoupoe in,
teliigence, frsedorn and equal taxation, as
ideas CT government aud accept instead bar.
barisn, despotism and public robbery. Aban-
dOning their ancient faith, they must ace
knowledge the sovereignty of the loyal ="
trinity, bayonets, bOndholders and buck mig
ge-s.
Does any man suppose that the masses of
the Democratic party will support Presi-
Dental candidate upon any such conditions
If 20 lie has much to learn concerning the
people who built up this Republic and gave
it its greatness aud its glory.
The ideas which we have cited as the lead
ing articles of Democratic faith, have proved
source Of tremendous strength in the past
twelve months. They have enabled the Dem
oc-atio party to become q mighty power in
this land, to rescue State after State from.
Radical control, and TO acquire prestige
which must make it dominant in the country
unless its opportunities are wasted. Shall
ae abandon them, and rely for success upon
the influence of single name, which owes its
greatness to record of antagonism to Demo
cratic ideas? Let US not exchange substance
FOR shadow, or abandon the sunlight to follow
a Hil!-o-the-wisp.