The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-04-01
The Questions Of the Future.

The Questions OF the Future
A few days ago VIC copied from the col,
umns Of the N. Y. Graphic striking ana
suggestive letter from Washington about
future party combinations and the polItt'
cal transformations actually now in pro-
press. The writer in another letter says
that since the appearance OF his first 1t
has como ont that Senator Hendricks Is
active in the new movement for recon-
s!ruction of parties. That distinguished
politician, it is said, is of opinion that, as
an indispensable preliminary 10 recon
struction, the Democratic party, or what
is left Of it, must change its name. lie
argues that by such d proceeding oil the
prejudlces which linger in the minds OF
Republicans would be completely neu'
tralized, and nothing would remain TO
prevent their utilization with the new op'
position organization. Upon this point the
letterwriter himself remarks that all hands
agree that the issues which divided tho
old parties orc dead that the revival Of
the Democratic party is out of the ques-
ton; that it can never again enter into
political contests; and that the Republic
eau party, also, is dying Of Internal can
Ger. so the wisCst and most. tar.sceing
politicians If today are studying the
questions which arc to divide the parties
OF the future. II Is true, he says, that we
may have kind Of interregnum, in
which the Republican party will continue
another term in power, simply because
there is no opposition worthy Of the name
to overthrow it. But no doubt is enter
tanned tina! eventually II will fall to pieces
through It's own inherent weakness
The two questions which are to take
the front rank, in the next political con-
test in this country are the Railroad Issue
and tho International Question. AS to
Railroads, tho question will be whether,
for the protection OF the people against
them, the Government shall take con-
troll and supervision Of them, as was pro-
posed this winter in regard to the tcle'
graphs. The railroad companies have
forced the issue by the rapacity they dis
play, by their open purchase Of Legisla.
lures and Congress, and by their dispo'
sition to push their powers and privileges
TO the utmost. These things, 10 which
the attention Of the public is gradually
being directed, are creating powerful
resentment and opposition to railroad
corporations in the public mind. And
should great financial panic take place
within the next two years ian event in
the opinion of this writer, not at all I'M
likely, in view of The extended state of
our credits, and the unwhOlesome condi-
ton of our tinancesO there would then
arise such clanor against the railways
US will compel some action on the part oil
the General Government.
By the International Question the wri'
ter means tho question whether this Re'
public shall abandon tho conservative
course It has hitherto held, OF attending
TO its own affairs and Of leaving other
people to attend to theirs. and start out
upon career Of expansion and "manitest
destiny" and OF interference in the affairs
Of other countries. Upon this point we
quote as follows:
"General Grant partially forced such q
question, in his avOwed design OF acquir.
ing the Island Of San Domingo. Unless
ali the signs fail the mission OF General
Sheridan and Secretary OF War Belknap
10 the confines OF Texas means that there
isa powerful combination on loot to sc
cure what would be another State from
Mexico. On this point there will soon be
some startling developments, OF which
hints have already been sent you in my
previous letter. The President, IAN told,
has plans looking TO the annexation Of
Canada. 1t is very cGrtain that General
Scotields mission to the Pacific shore and
the visit OF King Bill TO this country have
some relation to the proposed annexation
Of the Sandwich Islands TO the United
States. WedO undoubtedly require naval
stations in tho Chinese and Japanese
waters. The needs Of our commerce,
daily expanding TO colossal proportions,
demand them.
And, indeed, apart from commercial
purposes, there Is view OF these annexa-
ton schemes which give them value Of
apothGr kind. The manipulatOrs OF the
new party organizations deem 1t whole
some thing to turn the attention Ol our
citizens TO great international questions.
Our absorption In merely home matters
for want Of any moral or material in
terest in tho world about us-hAs had Il
bGlittling effect on our politics. These
have become small, mean, narrow, and
personal beyond endurance. II Is thought
that really elevated, national, high
spirited tone might be communicated to
our contests by inlusing international
topics among those which claim public
attention. Too much introspectiOn has
done harm to the national character; say
tho leaders: "Let uB look II little Mt what
our neighborS are doing
Recently, Mr. DisraGi said that Eng.
land was less a European than an Asiatic
power-meaning that her interests in
Asia were immensely more pressing and
valuable than anything she held III Eu'
rope. Well, this Is becoming true, also,
in regard to the United States. Our in
tCresIs in China aud Japan are promising
to be of far greater Importance than
those Of Europe. The commerce OF the
Pacific Is certain to assume such vas I
proportions that we shall be compelled
10 pay a great deal OF attention 10 matters
relating 10 the Chinese and japanese gov
ernmcnts."
THE Courier reports tremendous OK
plosIon of nitro glycerinC last Monday,
- A. A.