The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-12-29
3 THE. Flick Amendment


1f y The. Flick Amendment.
Editors of the Register:
This measure was conceived by Gen
eral Thomas NJ. Harris, a Republican
and was submitted by him to Governor
Stevenson and some otherS Republican
Psavans bywhom il was approved as "a
temporary expedient. 1t was then sub
mitted to the action of a Republican
caucus and received its sanction. TWAS
originally written by General Harris,
but was subsequently, copied by Mr..
Hubbard and in his handwriting it was
introduced into the House by Mr..
Flick. 1t was passed Nby a legislature
Overwhelmingly Republican-the cor
porals guard Of Democrats in that
body dividing on the question. 1t was
a Republican measure-or rather
lit was a Republican expedient to
serve a present party purpose.
The Republican was a doomed party,
its leaders knew it, and the Flick
Iamendment itwas hoped, would give
q few days respite. ( It contained an
implied endorsement of the Fifteenth
Amendment and signited our acauies-
ence in negro suffrage and Congressional
interference in affairs purely domestic.
This, too, recommended it to the favor
of the Republican party. but made it
odious to all true Democrats, In all
political organizations, some are govern
ed by principle, others by expediency.
The expediency men of the party seemed
to think the Flick amendment a good
thing, and sought to Law violent hands
on this Republican thunder by hav-
ing it inserted in the Charleston plat.
form. This plank OF the platform was
rough-hewed and polished up before the
"Charmer' left the wharf at Parkers-
burg. They procured favorable
report from the committee on resolutions
"A minority report was made. Theissue
was now fairly made up and the ques-
tons involved squarely presented for the
action of the Democratic party of the
State of West Virginia, in convention
assembled. The discussion was able,
animated, heated, "red-hot." The vote
was taken, and the Flick Amendment
toas condemned as Democratic measure
For short time this action OF the
Charleston Convention was, apparently,
acquiesced in by all Presently, how
ever, dissatisfaction and disatiection
were manifested in some quarters of the
State. Defeat and disaster were pre-
dicted with the platform as it was, and
it was proposed to call another Con-
vention that this Republican measure
might be made part of the Democratic
ritual. In the meantime the canvass
progressed. No second Convention was
called. Throughout the State the
Democratic pulse indicated general
good health and strength. The plat
form as it was, and our candidates as
they stood, gave general satisfaction.
The day of election came, and the setting
sun of that day, lingering to go down,
with its parting rays reflected back to
an astonished world bright and glori-
Gus Democratic victory in the new State
of West Virginia Jacob was elected
Governor by 2OO0 majority, and our
entire State ticket by similar vote
Out of the fifty-six members Of the
House we elected forty, and Of the
eleven Senator'S we elected eight, giving
us, including the three Democratic
Senators who hold over II majority Of
twenty-four on joint ballot. Our vic
tory was complete and overwhelming
it was Waterloo to the enemy, foreign
and domestic. This victory, so bright,
glorious and inspiring, was achieved
upon a platform from which the Flick
Amendment had been deliberately
erased by the concentrated wisdom of a
Democratic State Convention. Why
should this Trojan horse be now
brought within the Democratic citadel ?
1t is the device and gift Of the enemy.
1t contains within its huge sides strife,
discord, death Read the fate Of
Troy and learn its cause, We Democrats
and friends of constitutional liberty and
human freedom, and be warned thereby
to beware of the devices and gifts OF
the enemy.
All agree that the dlsfranchised
should be restored to their rights in the
most speedy, practical mode. The
Charleston platform says as much.
But what sane man, with good intent,
would advise the Democratic members
of the Legislature to adopt a mode Of
enfranchisement that will place the
Democratic party Of the State in a
position Of antagonism to the settled
policy Of the national Democratic
party. 1t is conceded that State
Constitutional Convention is ne
cessary; that other important in
erests demand the immediate
call of such a convention, and by such
a convention all persons can and would
be speedily restored to all their rights
of citizenship. Why, then, is this Flick
Amendment so obstinately insisted upon
when the only OsteaSibLc object had in
view can be almost, if not qaite, as
speedily accomplished in a manner &C
ceptable to all 1t is said the Republic
can members will vote solid for the
Flick Amendment No doubt they will
do so with a hope thereby to defeat an
immediate call Of constitutional con-
venton. But has ten years oil Radical
rule so endeared them to our affections
or inspired us with so great degree of
veneration for the wisdom, honor and
fitness of their men in office that we
should assist in frightening out their
days. By Acknowledgement they came
into office by Acknowledgement let them
90 out The country can survive the
loss.
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