The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-04-24
The Democratic Address.

From the Gin. Gazette.
The Democratic congressman have
issued IN address 10 their party. 1t
accuses the Republican party, with much
generality, but 1t avoids committing tho
Democracy to any principles or policy.
We have no doubt that alter that "un.
pleasantness" in heaven, when the con.
lederates were beaten and cast out, they
could have issued Just such an address as
this against the heavenly host. But they
did not. Satan and his chiefs were not so
silly as 10 suppose that any accusation
they could bring against the party that
had banished them to the bOttomless pit
would infect public opinion. So they did
not raise an cutlery Of accusation, but set
themselves at work 10 COntrivG to regain
By strategy what they had lost by force.
The Democratic Congressman are silly
enough tosuppose that their vague accuse.
tons against the Republican party will
move somebody. Else why did they
lulminateit? Ii will affect neither Demo-
crat nor Republican; nor Is there any.
thing in II to guide the Democratic mind
toward the next campaign. II Is as empty
proclamation as ever Issued against the
comet.
They state the vast sum of money that
the war cost II Is the cost of Demo-
cratic rebellion. 1t Is a perpetual testi.
mony 10 the Democratic crime. Why do
they state this, unless TO bring before our
eyes the cost Of Democracy
They state the annual expenses, and
say It is more than in Democratic times.
Over thirty millions of it is for pensions to
soldiers, widows, orphans, maimed and
bercIt by the murders Of the Democratic
rebellion. Let them keep before our eyes
the consequences Of their own crimes.
But they misuse words in their COM
parsons. These arc Democratic times.
The debt Of $4,000, 100000 Is Democratic.
The interest OF over 100 millions is Demo.
cratic. The pensions arc Democratic.
The expanded military and naval cstab.
llshments by the war are Democratic.
The extra civil establishment required to
collect revenue to pay these war expand.
ed expenses Is Democratic. Only irac.
ton OF the governmental expenses is Re-
publican.
They say Congress has done nothing to
reduce taxation. And the Democratic
members have distinguished themselves,
even in the denunclations Of the Journals
Of their own party, for their incapacity TO
originate or aid any rational system OF re.
ducing taxation. They demonstrated what
they wanted was not to reform taxation,
but to deprive the government wholly OF
revenue TO keep the public faith.
They denounce tho legislation against
the Kn.Klux, but have not word 10 say
against these organized murderers; there
fore, their-ill opinion Of the law Is the
same that is proverbial to those who are
condemned by it. The land rings with
the murder OF unoFending men by the
party friends ofthese members; yet they
only arraign the law enacted 10 punish
them. Is Democracy synonymous with
Ku.Klux? True, they denounce generally
the idea that the Democratic party can
have sympathy with disorders or violence;
but they show the character OF this by
denying that there arc any disorders or
violence in the South. -.-
Lacking the integrity to make plain
recognition Of the disorded and danger.
Gus state Of the South, they recognize 1t
indirectly by general cxhortation 10
maintain peace and order, and protect the
rights Of every citizen, and by prescribing
friendship and affection as the best means
TO restore peace In the South.
But the Democratic mind does not hold
peace and friendship compatible with Re.
publican rule. It does not mean that is
Southern coniederates should abide by the
law under Republican administration.
What It means Is war to carry the South.
ern elections, and Democratic admins.
Lration TO embrace the redanded. That
Is It's notion Of restoring Democratic tran.
guilty.
The address is too feeble. Its ACCUSE.
firms Of the Republican rule amount to
nothing. 1t is as il the criminal classes
should upbraid the government for The
cost Of protecting society. It offers no
policy or principle that can inspire the
party to new contest. And It can have
no influence, even il 1t has tho design, to
restrain the eutrages in the South which
are now procaimiug 70 tho country tie
dangers Of DgmOorAtic Ftile