The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-03-28
Letters from the People.
FROM PRESTON COUNTY

]
Inclosed you will ind my annnals snb-
scription. Since my last you have done
good service, and may patriotism, ener-
gy and virtue nerve your efforts in the
future 70 help rescae our country and
hitherto glorious institutions from the
dangers that are now threatening Them
on every hand. had hoped that the
party in power, after the election OF
last fall, would have modified their pol
icy in conformity TO what seemed 10 be
the decided indications Of the popular
will. But in this, the Conservative
men OF the country have beh disap-
pointed-sadly disappointed. The whole
Radical party, so far Is the Office hold
ers were concerned, instead Of pausing
and cautiously looking At the situation
Of affairs around them rushed for
ward at the cry Of their more desperate
leaders "On TO the charge and let the
late OF Lots wife await the recreAnt
toward that dares DO look hack. y
Ever since then every effort and every
movement Of the parry has been made
with 81 eye single TO Strengthening
and fsrtifyiRg themselves IN power.
All useful legislation is, aud has been
neglected; that they might seize upon the
executive patronage of the Government
and depose the present incumbent and
practleaIE consolidate the Legislative
,Ss he
ment in the same hands; they have cur
tailed the powers Of the SnpreTDe Court,
threstened its Judges, andit may be well
feared that In the reign Of terror they
have iDtimidatod that once independent,
learned aud h0n0red tribunal. 10 whose
Judgments and DEGREES all other depart
meuts and tribunals. both State and
Federal, paid the most profound respect
and observance. But the most 'mor-
tifying, degrading aud ruinous step
Is the one now IN progress and which
will be inflicted upon the country be-
fore the Dext general election, unless a
stern, loud and forbidding voice shall
come up from the people Of the north
ern and western States. ] allude TO the
bill now before Congress, giving uni
tweHiy-one years Of age, IN al the
States This bill will add al least six
hundred Thousand voters 10 the politi-
cal power Of the country, which voters
will help control the policy and char
scter Of the institutions OF the country
and all legislation In relation to the
persons aud property Of the people.
Car il be possible that the industrious,
active, intelligent, property acquiring
and property holding white men OF the
country can quietly stand by and see
this stupid, lazy, prodigal, nOn-propSrty-
holding element introduced 10 help tax
and control their earnings
The honest man, the industrious
property holder now has as much as he
can do TO protect his hard earnings from
the direct aud indirect attacks Of the
thriftless political power Of the country,
but bow will il be when more than half
q million of votes shall be added 10 that
ignorant, inactive and thriftless eie-
nIent Of political power
There Is another question 10 which
the mere politician who is looking 10
his own or party's success, attaches bat
little interest but which is of the ut
most Importance TO the statesman and
patriot. The preservation Of the purity
Of the bleod, intellect and pride OF the
higher and nebler race Of men has ever
ben matter Of prime con-
siderailon with the founders OF
States aDd Empires, and the result has
uniformly shown the wisdom and I'M
portance OF the policy. With political
equality Of the negro and other klngred
Legislation about TO be forced upon as,
how long eau the noble 4RgtO SaJOH race
hope 10 retain their proud and elevated
position among the nations ofthe earth,
is a Su biect for the contemplation Of the
statesman and philosopher.
The value Of the Executive patronage
in 4 presidential contest can be easily
understood by sll intelligent men; nor
can the importance Of adding six hun
dred Thousand voters 10 one OF the par
ties in that contest be misunderstood.
But will all these advantages TO the
party IN power Justify the means pro-
posed. Cannot the Radical party main
tain their power by appealing 10 the
same constituency that elected them or
must they call for aid outside Of their
former supporters Ifso, II argues badly
for their administration of public affairs
But suppose the Radical party is worthy
Of power and that the distrusts and
doubts Of their constituents are not
well founded, would il not be
( better for them 20 go into the
election on fair, safe and honest plat
/ form than 20 resort TO measures that
may permanently destroy our common
country! These are questions that
will not bs considered by the office
holders and Office seekers of the party.
Their only concern is for the success of
the hour, but trRst they may be con-
sidered well by the honest Conservs-
tive voters of all parties before they
give tbCir assent TO the objeetionable
measures above referred 10. 4 have
hastily thrown together tho above dis
connected ideas whilst in q very feeble
state of health; if, however, my
strength shall improve, yoH may hear
a STRSIRLRIR.