The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-09-20
THE OHIO CQUHTY ADDRESS AND
ITSA AUTHORS.
An Opposing View.

AN Impertinent amt Offensive Letter.
To the Editor ofthe IntellIgencer:
An Address to tho Republican voters
Of Ohio county which appears In the
lNTELLIdESCER Of the lst inst, would
more Iruthfully represent Its intent
and meaning were II headed "A scheme
to merge the Republican into the Demo.
cratic party
The most remarkable feature about
this paper, Is the fact that II Is address,
ed to the Republicans OF a county who
are hopelessly in the minority. The
question will then naturally be asked,
why, If the views set forth ale tho1e OF
the Republicans, is the necessity OF
making nominations for the LeHisla-
ture, as this policy ls precisely that ad-
vOcated by the Democratic party, and
It would save time and trouble by sim
ply supporting the nominees OF that
party. Why The necessity OF having
two sets OF candidates In the field OF
similar political convictions
II ls very evident that this address Is
Intended to operate upon the party out
side OF Ohio county, but when this
county can give Republican majority,
II Will then be In better taste to dictate
10 the party at large. and will receive a
more gracious hearing.
II there iS one single reform proposed
or policy set forth in this paper that
has not for years been advocated by
every Democratic paper In the State
and by every orator OF like persuasion,
and has not the hearty concurrence OF
all the rebels, careful reading OF II
has failed to make the discovery.
The object then OF such movement
is nothing more nor less than an at
tempt TO disorganlZe the Republican
and TO form a coalition with the Demo.
cratic party.
The UnionisLs Of West Virginia are
distinct branch Of the National Re-
publican party, colnclding with 1t In It's
prominent features, but differing In
some minor and local details. The re.
strictlons that were thrown around
rebels were for the protection Of Union
lists and oil aoCi9ty from the lRWleSsneSs
that sprung from rebellion and slavery,
Our Isolated and peculiar position at
the time OF the war, the birth
OF our young State amid the throes OF Q
mighty civil struggle, the vindictiye
and murderous hate shown towards
OulUulSAb Wy thelE eueL1looI all beuueu
10 cause them TO protect themselves by
legal euac!ments.
1t Is true. that time which kindly
throws veil OF forgetfulness over
most things has somewhat softened the
bitter rancor ot war upon the part OF
The Union men, but what effect has 1t
had upon those who were the enemies Of
the CountryE Are they any less dispos.
ed TO obey the laws, are they any less
hostile 10 the National Government ?
II they had the power to-day would It
not be used 10 blot out our new State,
re establish slavery and upon 1t as q
corner stone erect q separate govern
ment which for years has been their
secret hope and appeared In their Wis.
Ions as q Heavenly MissionT
Until we are convinced ofthese things
let us not yet unchRin this element OF
discord In our midst and bid 1t do its
worst, before the passions engendered
BY war have cooled.
We do not ask them 10 bow before us
and repent in sack cloth and ashes their
conduct during the war; we would not
be men 10 ask this Of them, and they
would be less than men to thus stultlfy
themselves. We want no chIld's play
promise OF ! won't do so again. but 10
simply treat them what they have hou-
estly shown themselves TO be-Rebels,
The .signers Ofthls address seem 10
think the adoption OF the 10Th Amend
ment fcreRone conclusion, but 10
reality It's ratification by the requisite
number OF States Is extremely doubt
ful. The recent election In California
kills II so far Us that State Is concerned,
and no sane man believes that the Leg
Islature OF Tennessee that was elected
upon this same platform OF removing
disabilities from rebels will ratify 1t.
The address also advocates re-
moval OF restrictions on the ground ol
"expedlency." II by this they mean
that the Republican party will gain ad.
herents on the score OF gratitude. tho
mistake ls wide one. Does any one sup
pose that rebel will be any the leas one
because the restrictions are removed
from hImH Mol ifanything he will be
more bitter than before, on the ground