The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-11-30
POINT PLEASANT, WEST VA,
Thursday, -: November 30, 1871.
The Fall elections are now over. III

nc Fall eleCtlOnS arc now over. Inc
result gives something Of a foreshadow ing
Of the situation in national politics. Lead
Ing journalists and politicians in all sect.
ions of the country are making suggestions
as to the course to bc,pursued in the Pres.
idential canvass, To some Of the South.
ern States particularly those which have
been bankrupt through the knavcry of in.
famous carpet,bug administrations. and
those now under, and suffering the tcrrors
Of martial law, to them, the determination
OF this question is matter of the most
anxious solictute. The problem that
presses itself upon them for solution, with
stern reality, is whether the sword or law
shall dominate? In States like West Vir.
GINA, enjoying unobstructcd suffrage, with
civil rulers chosen from our own people,
this view Of the question is yc! but specu.
lative, and public apprehension has not yet
been fairly awakened to the impending
danger. We, therefore, caunct justly ap-
precate the longing for delvcrcnce from
the iron heel Of tyranny that animatcs the
Southern people, but we know enough Of
the corruption and oppression, and imbecil'
ity that charac,crizes Grants adminislra.
ton to feel the necessity Of, and take
lively interest in the adoption of some pol.
10y likely to rid the country Of it Sew
erai Of the Southern papers have in the
main endorsed the passive policy suggested
by the St. Louis Republican, one Of the
oldest, ablest and most influential Demo.
cratic journals Of the country. Wear not
prepared to say that We fully favor this
policy. Yet no patriotic man will contend
that the serious crisis that has arisen in
our national politics docs not demand the
thoughtful consideration Of any plan that
would seemto offer fair prospect Of re-
lieving the country Of four years longer
rule Of Grant. Whether mastery mac.
tivity" on the part Of the Democratic party
Is the plan best calculated to accomplish
this we do not feel capable Of saying, but
that its discussion may bring about the
possibilities Of an arrangement that will
effect the desired end, aud defeat Grant in
1872, we are hopeful enough to believe,
The Cumberland (NIarylandl ALegnian,
leading Democratic paper in that State,
says: events seem to be shaping them.
selves for q combination of oil the elements
that are opposed to a continuance Of the
present administration, and tho part that
the Democratic party ought TO take, as the
strongest numerically of those elements, is
proposition which determines the success
or failure Of the movement. A close Or
ganization Of the Democracy and cGndi-
date from our own ranks would of course
command the party vote, but it is probable
that be would command that alone, and
that is not sufficient to defeat Grant. To
nominate originally man not Identified
with US as party would cngender discord
and Indifference, when harmony and unity
are absolutely essential. Not to nominate
o candidate does not involve a surrender Of
principle, disbanding Of tue organization,
or yielding Of party pane, and ii the mod
crate element Of the Republican party can
show anything like the strength they claim,
and present an unexceplionable candidate
like Trumbell or Evarts, it would doubt
less be policy in the Democracy to coop
crate in bis support, provided he should be
brought forward on platform favoring the
decentralization Of political power, univer
sal amnesty, civil service reform, the re
,duction Of taxation, and the restoration o
the constitutional relations between th'
Federal Government aud the States. |
has been suggested, however, and the sug
gestion Ma timely one, that the Democrat
cannot be expected to concur in such al
arrangement until it be shown that tn
Republican leaders who are opposed t
Grant arc really leaders who have follow
ing. Before having leadership conceded
them, 1t is.ouly proper that they shout
take the initiative toward developing thei
party into a eitianalOrganization in Orde
to show thcsBemocracy whom else the
will be able 10 lead" =