The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-05-17
From the Martinsburg New Era.
An ..OId Line Whig" OH the POIiti-
cal Situation.


Editors Of the Ne,o Era:
GENTLEMEN 1t is not often, Of late
years, that take mp my pen to write for
a public journal, and especially on mat
tiers political. Since the death of the
grand old Wing party, | have felt like.
political outcast, having nowhere to
lay my head The great leaders of the
old Wing party, or nearly all Of them,
have passed away, and the party has no
longer an existence or name, save III
history. But whatever else may be
said Of that organization and its princi-
pies, it can never he truthfully asserted
that it was not strictly a constitutional
party. Its record was al honorable
one, and il went not to it, grave ''un-
honored, unwept and unsung. Peace
to its memory.
1t was but natural that after having
fought the Democratic party for so
many wears, | should feel disinclina-
ton TO act with il after the death OF the
Wing party. but it would be most nm
naturai for me now to act with the Radi
cal party, every princip le Of which is so
directly opposed to all my former pre-
conceived IDEAS and views of what
ought to constitute patriotic and con-
stitutjonal party. Ny opposition tothe
Democratic party was more the result
of clncaton than from principle. lis
principles and platforms have always
been in strict accordance with the Con
stitu,ion. In TACT there never was any
difference between the Democratic and
Wing parties, except on questions OF
tariff, finance. annexation of territory,
and other legislation of minor impor-
lance, On the great and important
questions of the rights of the States,
Constitutional government and civil
liberty, there was not the shadow OF IL
shade Of difference.
have concluded, after quietly no
ticinS the progress oLevents for the past
several wears, and noting the utter dis
regard Of the Radical party for the Con
stitution and forms OF government trans
mittcd to MS by the founders of the re-
public. thatit would be criminal in me
longer to refuse to act with the Demo
cratic party in opposition to the mad
spirit of Radicalism which is rapidly
driving the country to anarchy and
ruin. The time has come when all
good citizens should unite in putting
down a party which dares to act outside
and regardless of fundamental law en-
bodied in the Constitution of the United
States. What bond have we, a. a peo-
ple. but the Constitution? and what Sc
curitv for us and orr children can there
be when a political party, happening to
he in the majority in Congress, shall he
allowed to dispense with the restraints
and obligations of the Constitution -!
What right has such party to be call
ell a Union party, when it breaks the
very bond of Union? By the bogus and
fraudulent ratification of the Fifteenth
Amendment, the descendants of the Atrl-
can race among us, recently emerged
from a state of bondage, have been adj
mitted to the governing class. object
not to their freedom, to their education,
and their being protected in their essen
tial rights of life, liberty, and property;
hut TO admit them to the governing class
| do object; for in all past time the
negro race have proved themselves unht
TO govern States or communities. The
governments of this country, and of all
the States of which it is composed, have
hitherto been governments OF ,chttG men;
and, in my judgment it is better for the
preservation Of liberty to all the
races in this country that the
governing class should remain
as it was in the time of our faith
ers | can do nothing to change the
fact Of their admission to the governing
class; but have determined in future
to cast my vote against that party which
has forced this state of affairs upon us,
over all law and Constitutions Hence,
from this time forward | shall be found
working and voting with my old antag,
onist the Democratic party. The call
of your State Executive Committee Is
broad and liberal, and | accept most
cheerfully the invitation. How an old
Wing. or any man who has left in HIM
spark of love or reverence for theCon-
stitution and government Of his fathers
could do otherwise, in the present state
of affairs, cannot conceive.
Yours truly,
Az OLD LINE WING.
| Nar 1870