The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-05-21

ulation is so much needed, it does not
seem TO us true craftsmanship which
advocates driving any part Of 1t away.
The example OF Virginia, inflict-
ing perpetual disabilities on her
Tories after the Revolution, does not
commend itself as specially worthy of
imitation here. Virginia has not been
such signal success in any respect as
to make Ter policy shining example.
Indeed, cur people here have felt con-
strained 10 depart from her ways and
for the imposition of political disable-
ment arc needed to fortily the argu-
ment of the "good AUREL1Us," he need
only to 90 back q little further, in the
history of England, TO find abundance
OF ttem; when in tho alternate, defeat
and success of warning factions, the
victorious party sought to perpetuate
its power by tests and disa-
bilities. But it would not be
easy to show that such a poll
cy there ever accomplished any
beneiicant public end, or even effected
thu Immediate purpose sought. On the.
other hand the greatness and prosperi-
IL OF England and the freedom of her
people did not begin till she had OUT
grown the intolerance of those earlier
times. Virginia, 1t is true, also disfran.
chiseI mat part of her people who were
SO unfortunate as to be portiOrlesF.
Aud most odious disfranchisement it
was. The citation is very uufortu-
nate one for AURELIUs. It was just such
class Discrimination as this, by which
Virginia paved the way for her own
smer:berment. Certainly there is
nothing in her policy in that direction
for US to initiate. -.
AURELIUs corrects our statement that
under the present policy the Republi-,
cans OF the State have been losing
ground. LIST US see the figures. In
1864 the Republican State ticket had no
opposition. In May 1866, the disfran-
ch!sing Amendment to the Constitution
was ratified by 81 minority o: 1886 In
October following the majority. for
Govprnrr was 6.472 In 1865 it was
i III. Tue loss from May to October
1866 w..1 7G4. From 1866 to 1868 it WAS
100 I:.oEe., Lincoin's majority for Pes
ident in 1861 WIS ID .OlS. GRANTS in 1865
WAS S.942. Loss in four years 4, 076 or
1,0l9 per year. The loss on State issues
in less than TWO years and half was p
519-abou: the same rate. We should be
glad TO believe with AURELIUs that "the
hopelessness OF the Democracy" will
enlarge these majorities in future, but
we shall not renderthe Democracy hope
less by continuance OF disfranchise-
ment. On the contrary it is the sure
foundation ON which they would build
up their party into a majority; and,
coming into power in that way, "a most
bitter and intolerant majority.
There is no wisdom, not even party
shrewdness, in ignoring the fact these
figures disclose. Our ANNIVERSARIES are
perfectly advised of it. We ought
to 3have courage enough to face it,
because 1t helps us form a just opinion
OF The prospect. We gain nothing by
sticking our head in the sand like an
ostrich and surprising nobody sees US.
On this point, there can be no inpro-
priety III Introducing letter addressed,
~ thS "ElieE VI tu4S lust 1ai4S ny Luz
Hon. Horace Greeley, chief editor OF the
New York Tribune. Shortly before the
las: session of the doth Congress, it will
be remembered, the Tribune came out
in advocacy of an Amendment propos-
ing Mr.. Greeley's plan Of "Universal
Suffrage and Universal Amnesty"
Being sincerely DESTROYS of seeing Con-
fro
chislng the Blacks, and believing if the
measure also included the rebels it
would not pass Congress or if it did
would fail of ratification, we wroIc a |
private note to Mr.. Greeley simply for |
his information, stating that an Amend |
ment enIrancbisinG the Negroes only |
would doubtless be ratified by our
Legislature. while lift also enfranchised
the rebels it would be sure of rejection. |
We offered no argument either for or
against rebel enIrunChisement, merely |
stating the grounds on which we were
sure the Republicans in the Legisla-
ture would vote against suoh a measure.
Mr.. g., however, seems to have under
stood Us to state these positions as
orr own. lie replied as follows:
New YORK TRIDUNE,
New YORK, Nov. IS. 1868.
My Dcar Sir:
L have yours OF the 18Th. Its leading
positions have long been understood |
and appreciated in this quarter. Now
bear me.
Every year one thousand of your
rebels die, and one thousand Cor more)
Of their sons become of age. You can't
THEM. You have now five |
thousand majority. Six years at far
thest will convert this into a rebel ma
iOrity of one thousand. Then the reb-
els will be cn1ranchised in spite of you,
and the Blacks will be left under foot
and you underestimate these at TWO
I thousand.
Go your own way, and see if the reb-
els don't have you under foot in less
than six years
speak from wide experience
when L tell you that your house is
built on the sand. Il cannot stand. |
Every year will see the passions of the |
war cool, and the demand for amnesty |
NolO you can amnesty |
the rebels. Soon the question will be, |
Shall they amnesty you? Look at Ken
lucky and Maryland aud read your
certain fate in theirs.
Yours, HORACE GREELHY.~
Mr.. Greeley is considered pretty
good Republican, and very good au-
thority on figures, We commend his