The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1869-07-08

II follows iheXors6ly mat When Inc ne
cessity ceases the law must cease.
Respecting the main proposition, TO
vest 10 the two Houses Of the Legisla
turs the whole matter Of dealing Oul the
| franchise To the ex.rsbols, with due de.
ference TO the views of those who think
this tbs solution Of the party problem
before us, We should expect such
measure to DO most unfortunate in its
operation and unsuccessful in its results.
Tho scope and significance Of such an
expedient would condemn the party re-
sorting 10 i. long before its submission
to the people. No such amendment
would even be ratified. II would be so
/, palpobly the mere make shift Of men Try
ing to prolong their power by doing out
suffrage to their opponents with only
such measure as they thought they safe
ly might, that would inspire feeling Of
contempt which would not be confined
10 the Democrats 1t is not needful to
dwell on the operation Of such plan in
the Legislature, assuming that it would
be adopted. 1t would turn that body
designed by the Constitution as tie law
making power, into nero board of par
don brokers. Those who witnessed the
operations in The Legislature las! Water
attending the special Legislation for the
relief of few dozen rebel attorneys, can
imagine what would happen with ten or
fifteen thousand msn, and the influences
and appliances that would back them
knocking at its chambers for admission
into the body Of voters, 1t may be that
our legislatures arc and always will be
ADLER and purcr than other people; but
what would any legislature be at the end
of one session filled by such cat'hsuling,
such log rolling, such trading, such de.
liberale and wholesale buying aud SELL
ing a. would DO Inevitable in such
struggle as that would he for political
power? Ii would be demoralizing, cor.
ruptiug. and shameful 10 the last degree.
II the Republican party could survive
the contempt of its own friends, it could
moi stand up against the superior rick
cry Of the Democrats who 10 one or two
sessions would procure the enfranchise-
ment Of enough rebels, when thrown ia
to the scale against the then declining
prestige of the Republicans, TO capture
the State. The Republican party can
maintain itself by no such devices. 1t
can do so by an open, honest, straight.
forward course, which shall command
confidence and respect. We can afford
almost anything better than aresort TO
nero tricks. A party that has the cour'
age 10 deal frOnkly and fairly with its
friends and justly and maguanimOusiy
with its foes, has lilIle to fear from eth
err The people of tie State will not dis
card a party which shows that il aims at
none bu, public ends. If the basis of
our party is too narrow, Lot US widen it
till il is broad enough 10 take in all the
people of the State. The grand idea
wherein as republicans We profess TO
stand is that Of lifting all men up 10
common level and giving each fair and
equal chance 10 the race Of lie. Are
we no, yet able 10 stand on our own
platoon? Rather can We afford to stand
on any other, now that the time is clear,
ly pest when the repression Of any class
is demanded by public considerations?
The true course for the leaders of our
party, as we humbly Conceive, docs not
lie through the tortuous way Of party de-
vice, They will not succeedby halfway
or equivocal measures. The bold pol
icy. which rises above the ruts Of party
medioority. is the Qua that will win. 1t
requires some faith in principle and some
confidence in human nature and, yet not
more than ought to be possdssed by any
man who assumes to be director of pub
lie opinion or a political guide. 1t is
true here as everywhere that courago aud
decision win while irtesOlution and tim.
idty fail.
Tender handed stroke the nettle,
Aud it stings you for OurPains;
Grasp it like man Of mett'e,
Aud it soft as silk remains.