The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-03-30
From the Chicago Ttibunc.)
The Cincinnati Convention.

Ahe OlnClnuutl COnNenGOns
When Che Republican party first ap-
pcaled % Tho people, ia demands were
summed up IN the stirring legend "Frce
Soil Free Speech; Free Labor, aud Free
Mem Tho great ends Of Free Soil, Free
Labor, and Free Men have been gained
and the meeting OF the Cincinnati Con.
vention will determine whether the Re.
publican party can tolerate FREQ Speech
without ceaSing to exist. The right of
the people 10 peaceably assemble was
mildc 10 part u the fundamental law long
before the Republican party was organ.
iIed, and that party. owed It's origin TO.
the persistent denial Of that right by the
party previously In power The Re.
publican party Is now I'd power, and those
controlling tho Government were elected
by il; and we insist that the long,es.
tabllshed right of any portion Of the peo-
pie, Republicans or not, To assemble In
convention or otherwise, and TO present
their complaints, and 10 take such other
political action as may seem 10 them
good, Is too sacred 10 DO called In ques.
lion by office. holders, ofllCe.seekeIs, or
the managers and directors oil parties or
cauCusses When tho Republican party,
through Its official organizations, Slatelor
National, or both, undertakes u declare
that any person who shall attend a public
meeting, or participate in a convention,
composed exclusively OF Republicans, 10
demand political reforms which the party
ncgleCts or refuses to adopt, thereby cease
to boa member Of the party, 1t will be
adopting the same policy which over.
threw the Democratic party. The Gin.
cinnatl Convention Is 10 DO Republican
or nothing. Iehas been called BY Re-
publicans, for Republicans to promote
Republican principles. II that be treason,
McSsrs. Morton, and Conllling, and Muir
ply can make tho most Of II. a3
Right here arises the question whether
tho Republican party Is an organization
for tho election or appointment Of par
ticular squad OF men to office, and there.
fore a mere party Of plumber, or whether
1t be a party having a distinct and de.
clared policy Of government, which il
seeks To carry out for the benefit Of the
country and Of the human family. Ifit|
be the former, and the sole purpose Of
the party be 10 distribute plumber among
Leets, Stockings, and other fayorites,
then the party is q fraud, and the sooner
It Is replaced by some other organization
the better. But II the party have higher
purpose, and tho national welfare is
sought, then 1t Is pertinent inquiry, Do
these persons who are to meet at Cincin.
natS 0rAnnon any dana rt11Ha E.o,,, tI,o TO-
trines OF Republicanism9 What do they
say OF thcmselvesG In the resolutions
leading TO the call OF this Convention
they say: l# s4f ID
I. "That We, faithful now, as wewere IN the
dark days OF war, to the vital principles OF Re.
pnhlleanlsm, by no act or word, directly or in.
directly. Will endanger the rightful sovereignty
OF tho Union.
2'NThat no form OF taxation lie lust or wise
which puts needless burdens upon the people.
CO ~ hat the shameless abuse Of the Govern.
ment patronage for tho control OF conventions
and elections, whether In the interest Of ndlvid.
and Generalization OF political life, demands the
thorough and genuine reform OF the public
service. fI'1 " !' -l'N H.h
4. ''Thst local self government, with impartial
suffrage will guard the rights Of all citizens more
securely than any centralized authority.
complete amnesty for oil, that the intellect and
experience OF every State may DO welcomed TO
active service for common welfare.
0. "rhat true Rcpnblicanisn makes II not the
less our duty TO expose corruption, denouncc
rsurpatiOn Of power, and work for reforms nee.
Gssary for the public welfare.
"Wc, therefore, inpiteGH Republicans who de.
fire the reforms herein set forth to meet In Mass
Convention at Cincinnati" &c.
Is there anything in this declaration
that is inimiCal to Republicanism Is
there word there which any Republican
ought to object to as part of the plat.
form ut Philadelphia We hold that II
is perfectly proper for any Republican
who chooses to do so 10 attend the Gin.
cinnati Convention. Those who go will
stand in no danger OF being read out Of
the party, for they will be too numerous
10 be spared. Every Congressional dis
Lrict the West Dug ht to be, and we pre-.
sumo will be, represented there. THE
State of Illinois ought to have n hundred
of its leading Republicans at Cincinnati,
for they can exercise m influence far
moro potent upon tho next Presidential
election there than they can hope to ex-
crcisc at Philadelphia.