The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-06-12
The Proposed Nomination of Mr..
Mo0na e va York Po.,.

i.
gains strength very fast in the Demo.
cratic party. In this State some of the
ablest and most Influential Democratic
organs OF opinion either openly and
decidedly favor it, or carefully avoid
committing themselves against it; and
we are told that many of the leading
members of the party are also prepared
to urge Mr.. Chase, as fit candidate,
upon the Convention.
THE nomination OF Mr.. Chase for the
Presidency, by a Democratic Convent
ton, upon platform OF principles pre-
scribed by himself, and with candi-
date for the Vice Presidency his equal
in character and political antecedents,
would be an event of tirst-rAte import-
ance in our political history. 1t would
signify general dissolution of parties;
an abandonment of the old grounds of
difference which the events of the last
seven years have already made obso-
lete; and a redivision OF parties upon
] the grounds of struggles which OBJ
tanned before the slavery question,
absorbed all others.
To thoughtful politicians some such
| change in the relations OF parties has
| long seemed inevitable; and perhaps
only the unfortunate quarrel between
Mr.. Johnson and Congress, aud the
Presidents own short sighted obsti-
macy, and faithlessness to sound demo-
| cratic ideas, have prevented hitherto
this event, which must take place be-
fore the questions out of which the war
grew, and the questions which grew
out OF the war. are laid aside finally
and forever. Thus far both parties
have asserted only the old issues. The
Republicans have continued TO cry out
against slavery and rebellion; the DEM
ocrats have not yet fairly accepted the
destruction of slavery, and the right of
the Union to defend its existence by
MI Nf
| states.
What are the questions which must
almost at once engage the attention of
| the American people and divide parties?
They are not reconstruction, nor slave
ry, nor the justice or injustice of the
of taxation, of the management of the
public debt, of the adjustment of the
burden of taxation, OF the restoration
OF specie as the currency of the coun-
try, OF the economical administration
OF the government, of the rigid equali-
cation ofinternal and external duties,
| of the Interference or non-interference
of the government in material enter
prises which it ought to leave TO indi-
Vidual efforts or to the local govern
ments.
Now it is useful to consider how, on
these the real questions of the day, par
ties at present stand. 1t is evident that
on none of them are the leaders in eth
er purity agreed. In the Republican
party,-it is notorious, n considerable
class iercely demand that the taxes
shall not be equalized; insist that the
government shall buiid, or lend its
credit TO busld railroads, canals, tele-
graphs, tunnels, and foster by various
kinds ofspecial legislation, n lew favor
ed interests; whilo another section of
the party as earnestly opposes all these
measures as contrary to good policy,
and injurious to the general interest.
Nor is the Democratic party less di-
yided. Among its leaders are found
many old wings who will never recov-
er from the disease. The present tariff
was imposed upon the country by the
help of Democratic votes and we find
nowhere in Democratic platform any
direct, straightforward, clear enuncin-
| ton Of political principles; nothing, in
| fact, but the equivalent OF the lawyers
brief in IA weak case: "ADuse the other
side"
| Nor could it be otherwise. What
would become of either party were its
leaders, of either section, to attempt 10
impose upon their followers the prin-
ciples they hold? Inevitably the party
would be rent 10 pieces. Suppose the
Republicans had told Mr.. Wade and
the Tribune to write out of their own
hearts, frankly and honestly, plat
form of principles such HIS they believe
fit for the government of the country
does any one believe the party would
have held together fortnight? Or
suppose the same demand had been
{ made upon those eminent Republican
leaders who hold views upon many i'm
portant questions directly the opposite
of MIR. Wade's and MIR. Stephens,
would not the Wade faction have mu-
tinted at once, as they attempted TO in
1864 for Il far less cause? So, take the
| in ms rfXS--Syhnt Synnl6 hRnnmR
oil il should it declare unequiVOcally
for free trade, or tariff laid solely for
revenue? or, should its leaders hon.
estly accept the war and all lis conse-
| quenceS-the freedom and equal indus
| trial and political rights OF ali classes
and colors of men? which are the
necessary consequences OF the emanci-
patton OF the blacks.
If we are correct, then neither party
has SO dealt honestly with the people;
and the proposition to nominate
Mr.. Chase and some other man
OF like political opinions and an
tecedents, in the Democratic conven-
ton, is important, because 1t means
that one party will ut last venture to
deal with facts, TO grasp the events and
questions of the day, and to place it
self on u platform sure to lose it Il large |
number OF It's present RdheTents, but |
equally certain, If II is unequivocally |
er and perhaps II more numerous fol-
lowing. The nomination of Mr.. Chase
means II reformation of parties.
OF course the question, will the |
Democrats nominate Mr.. Chase? cam
not be decided util the convention |
meets. Professional politicians have |
not much courage or Iaith; the demo. |
cratic leaders have moi, for long time,
won our respect for either the correct
ness of their judgment or the business
oftheir principles. There are, we believe
young men in that party capable of
leading it back to its old and glorious
paths, informed with that love OF equal
and impartial liberty. that faith in the
wisdom of the whole people, that firm
adherence to justice, which would en-
able them, did they command and steer
the ship, 10 guide her Alright. But they
have not hitherto possessed authority;
and the men who have ruled the party
in the later times have been men Of
bitter prejudices and hatreds, of mar.
row sympathies-tories, not democrats.
The coming convention will show
whether these still rule.
MARRIED.
~.