The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-06-17
GhsGntelligEafsr'
principles, No, Men, in 'hl, Contest. ,n,','.

p,,no,Dle,, No, Men, in this Contest est.
Before the meeting Of the Philadelphia III
Convention there were those In the Ms' II.
UCHTsn'T OnI,issn ranks, ourselves among the
number, who would have preferred On
o,bsr leadership in the present campaign
n tl,at of Gen. GRANT. Now however
that bo has been nominated by the party
in is regularlycalled Convention we see
nothing in our position to deter US from
advocating his election.
Mr. COLFAx said truly in his dispatch
TO the Convention after he had been de-
leatcd for denomination that men are
nothing but that principles arc everything
II this is generally true in political con-
tests II is especially true in the present
one. Those who hold that It is best Tor
,he country that the Republican party
that has accomplished so much for the
GOOD Of the world in its career thus far,
should be continued in power for another
four years can not afford to diverge from
iR organization on a mere question ot
candidacy. We feel, and have always
felt, that the country is safe in the hands
/
Of the Republican party let who may be
President, but, on the contrary, we have
never felt that with the party out
Of power the country would be safe
simply because there was a Republican
occupant in the Presidential chair.
Hence there is in our estimation an
essential II not q vital difference be.
tween clecting Gen. GRANT as the rep
reseutalive Of the unbroken power and
prestige Of the Republican party and
eeciing HORACE GREELEY as the monu-
ment Of its overthrow and disintegration.
Weare of those who believe that the
success of the Democratic party would
be national calamity. We have never
vet seen the time since the close Of the
war when we thought it would be safe to
put the country in the hands OF that
party. This Is still our sincere convic.
ton. We bear constantly in mind the
TACT that all we have accomplished since
LEE surrendered has been accomplished
not only without the aid but despite the
opposition of the Democracy. We have
carried every amendment 10 the National
Constitution over their heads and like
wise the laws made in pursuance thereof.
There is no doubt that up 10 the time OF
the sOcalled new departure of the party
last year that it was a part Of their pro-
graInme TO undo as much us possible O!
what had been done by the Republicans
whenever an opportunity should offer.
No opportunity came. The Democracy
were beaten year after year and in sheer
despair VALLANDIGIIAM inaugurated the
new departure.
We owe nothing, therefore, TO that
ParLY but apprehension as to their inten.
lions. They have fought all the cardinal
measures of the Republicans up to this
time, They have accepted nothing in
good faith until theiracceptancc no longer
aVaied anything. Every step in the re-
construction of the South has been nc.
complshed despite their efforts to defeat
1t They have hung upon the skirts Of
all our progress like the Indian on the
march of civilization. We have had to
be prepared oil the time for their hostility.
The laCtthat Mr.. GREELEY is a Repub.
lican and that he might continue to be
one after his election, should he be elect.
ed, IS an argument that has very little
iOtce in it for those who view the situation
as we do. The result must be to defeat
The Republican organization and leopard.
lie its aScendency now and hereafter in
The government, In such an event the
KepublicaniSm Of Mr.. GREELEY would
amount to very little indeed. In q man
OI bis well known errors and weaknesses,
as exemplitied in his cratic performances
sIlhe outset, and before the close of the
war, we should not know what to expect
except repetition Of the mistakes then
made u With a goodly array Of FRANK
bLAIRs in Congress, brought in. on the
wave that breaks the Republican ship to
pieces and carries Mr.. GREELEY into
lne Presidential chair, man OF his record
IN 'he past could not be relied on for any.
'Alng except subordination to those
around him. In his career as editor Of
The tribune hehas made mistakes that are
Amlllar to the country, and that were
only limited by the sphere OF his influence
lnlheir destructive tendencies, Had he
Oeen President in 1861, We might have
had today two or more weak and Earring
conIederacies in place o: one strong Fed,
efsl Union. Had we followed his advice
even as late as 1864, VIC should certainly
have concluded an ignominious peace
with the rebels. The country will never
forget these facts.
The present bolt Of Mr.. GREELEY from
the regular Republican organization is no
bis fnt one. He virtually bolted Mr.
LEcoLN's denomination In 1904 and ia
VOFed the election of General FREMONT Il
The Presidency. AS late as September ii
saAt year, he wrote letters to the loya
Sovernos in order to accomplish the
withdrawal ol Mr.. LINCOLN. This facI
shows how dangerous were his counsel:
10 that imminent deadly crisis. Suppose
ne had succeeded What thenP Sun.