The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-01-21

GAA@SOEtoA IN
Not content with their assault upon
the life of the nation, with thrustinr
the national debt upon us, with bur.
dentng us with taxes, with this scheme
to involve the country in financial
bankruptcy and ruin, the Democratic
party goes a step further. AS II to
make destruction idoubly sure, they de-
mand that the Southern States shall be
entitled to the full state of recognition
and constitutional representation in
Congress and the electoral colleges
given to all the States. They insist
that the rebel States shall be at once
admitted without guarantees, without
being required to accede to the gene
rons terms proposed by Congress.
Let us suppose case: Here is our
friend who keeps a hotel. He has
many guests. One of these sets fire to
his house, and commences to murder
and plumber the inmates, but is finally
overpoweredb before he has succeeded in
destroying all the lives or stealing ali
the property. What shall be done
with the prisoner Invite him back.
pardon him, not ask him to restore the
property he has stolen, pay the loss he
has caused, or suffer the penalty due
his crtme2 shall no guarantees be re-
quired, no security for future good be-
havior2 Shall he be made a welcome
guest at the table, and sit down AMONG
loyal and peaceful menf Would it be
safe to do this7 Would this gatiEfv
justice? Would magnanimity REQ nire
us thus TO treat him? No. It would be
the sheerest folly; it would be reward-
ing crime; it would be paying q pre-
MUM for treason, robbery and murder,
This Is simply what our Democratic
friends would do, what they propose 10
40 on large scale. They. propose to
let these rebels come back, uncondi-
tionally and immediately; OCCUPY
places of trust and honor without
pledge, Without security for the future,
without indemnity for the past. We do
not require indemnity for the past, but
we do require security for the future.
It does NOT matter whether these rebel
states are out OF the Union or in the
Union. do not propose to split hairs
with a lawyer on this point. 1t is
enough for met TO know that the men
whom these Democrats would admit
have forfeited all rights as citizens. that
they were subdued at a cost OF the
lives or five hundred thousand loyal
men who are tonight sleeping amidst
the scenes of the conflict in the valleys,
on the hill-slopes. under the shadows
Of tue great mountains of the South
heroes whose only monuments are the
SCARED rocks and shattered trees that
rise above them. And so help me God.
shall not reach QUITO grasp the bloody
hands OF their murderers until thew
come back washed; cleansed, vouched
for and indorsed by loyal men; until
they have proven by works, as we'll MS
promises, their devotion to the flag of
my country. [Applause.l I appeal TO
you as honest men, is this revenge {? Is
this an exhibition OF an unchristian
spirit? Impossible. 1t is not only
common sense, common honesty, wise
prudence-it is stretch of the most
sublime magnanimity.
SUM OF THE WHOLE MATTER,
In conclusion, let me say, am in IA
vor OF the Congressional:plan of recon.
struction, in favor of paying Off ali
bonds In the currency which is the
legal tender, and in general circulation
among the pople, except, of course. the
comparatively small amount which
have gold stipulated in. the bond: in
favor OF rigid economy in the adminis-
trationi of public affairs; in favor iof
cutting OF such Federal taxes as 9nra
more annoying to the people than re-
Inuneratlve to the General GovarnE :
ment, and render the amount inns Ia
ken unnecessary by a reduction in the
expenditures of the War Department.
OF the navy and the civil service: in n.
vor of making goEetnm ent The husband
OF the soldiers widow, the father OF
the soldiers children, the. constant and
generons friend OF the disabled Veter
an who has won honorable scars i'm
his country's serVtcs3 In favor of stand.
ing by the right in Epeace,l by the old,
flag In war andsiu;s sfaVort at all times.
whether in peace, OF war of striking
loVRllV for iour CoiInffv .