The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-11-13
what Shall We Do with it.


What Shall We Do With IL.
Rron The Chicago PoIt)
Brethren Of the Republican party
victory Is ours; what shall we do with Il 7
live interpret Il o the verdict Of the
American people against any further re-
form IN politics or finance; Il we regard Il
~ 9 commission 70 the Republican party
70 cast IL future In the broken mould Of
the past; II We see In It only q vote Of ap-
plAuSe, intended 10 encourage q few domi.
neering hack politicians TO plume them.
selves anew upon their personal proves,
and 70 perSecute all who happen 70 dis
sent from some Of their wishes and cpin.
Ions; this victory will suddenly turn Into
defeat, and what VIC now think Is for.
LITIGATION for the defense oil the Republl-
can party, will become It's grave.
We must 90 forward 70 new conQuests.
We cannot sand still hamilton will be
fatal. The momentum Of the war has d.
mtnIshed, and Gettysburgb, VickSburg
and AppomAttox form now only . glo.
riouS background against which the
achievements Of to-day may be revealed,
Even our noble old b1itles against slavery
are apples Of 6odom, once the very food
oil HE, and still beautiful TO look back ct,
but turning 10 ashes upon our lips when
We endeaVUr 10 utilize them for present
nOurisbment. The heart Of q great party
must be constantly refreshed with the
wine OF Q new purpose, or It will dessi.
cate, and the people will lay II aside
among the mummles.
The Republican party 10 reform par.
y or nothing. 1thGs no excuse Tor be-
ing, unless 1t intends 70 serve the people
BY unremittiDg efforts TO secure TO them
greater happiness. TO make their liberties
more sure, 10 increase the net value oil
their property. and 70 promote simplicity
and economy in the methods Of govern.
ment It has been reform party, both
professionally and practically, ever since
IL had an existence, and It's most radical
reforms, effected without the expressed
sanction OF the people, have all been fol.
lowed BY the peoples most earnest and
enthusiastic approval. The last four
years have been conspicuOusly year, OF
reform and renovation. The ballot has
been gwen TO all men, without compell-
ing those of colored epidermiS 10 change
their skins as q preliminary condition.
By firm hand and q conciliatory TEN
per, the Ku Klux have been mostly dis
persed OF suppressed in the South. The
national indebtedness has been diminish
ed four hundred and twenty millions OF
dollars; and, even aftef'this enormous
drain, the supIus wealth Of the country
has been enormously increased, the de-
posts Of laborers 10 savings banks have
been vastly multiplied, and al classes,
producers and consumers alike, were
never before 90 comfortable as the are to.
day. The taxes have been reduced hun
dred and fifty million dollars year,
while the aggregate revenue has scarcely
diminished. The chasm between gold and
greenbacks has been mostly filed. All ma.
lions have been held peacefully at arms
length; and Great Britian has calamity
apolOgized for her hostility during the re.
6ellion, ceased firing upon our msckeral
fishermen, and handed over TO "a San
Jusn Island, generously drinking our
health meanwhile. All this indicates
stability and progress, and the spirit Of re.
form.
The Republican party is under bonds 10
the people to correct lingering abuses. Il
there be any thieves Of the Leet Stocking
variety yet clinging to Office, It must Dust
them without delay. Il must abolish the
ranking outrage that still sticks to our
statute. books with the tenacity OF Elisha'S
curse II must carry 10 maturity the
civil service reform already so promising.
" begun, and bestow all clerical offices
upon the best Of competing candidates,
without regard 10 party, color or sex. Il
must still further reform the revenue, BY
reducing taxation, and allotting the
heavy dues to the importations which we
cannot produce or manufacture. II must
Steadfastly refuse 10 give another rood OF
the public land 10 the railroad sharks
They have already grown opulent BY ap-
propriatiDg the priceless inheritance OF
the common people Congress Ia the
trustee OF this vast estate, and It must
sQusnder no more.
These are important reforms, but the
next four years must see them enacted.
They will give new life TO the party that
frames them into law. a great party has
no right to die as long as It can live. II
cannot die as long as It deserves 10 live.
The Republican party has done great
deeds, but it still wears the seal Of Youth
upon its brow, and liz veins swell with
that celestial fluid that Poe called "the
immortal ichor." Let It press on, and
show that /: has only last begun its work