The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-12-09

firm in the face of all obstacles and IN I'M
presence of all temptation. These quail
ties, added to u thoughtful mind ana
habit of study, give MIN claims to states
msnship that is as rare in these desener'
ate days as it Is valuable.
His opponent, on the contrary, Is man
of positive personal magnetism, who WINS
friends and holds followers, and although
in all the transactions of life unquestlon-
ably honest, has that easy virtue in pol
tiles that makes him all things to al men
and favorite with the thOughtless, us
well as the trimmers, wire-pullers and
politicians. Every selfish greed found IN
him safe advocate. Every scheme that
looked to tho success OF party rather than
the welfare of the country, recognized
him as II friend. Moneyed capital joined
hands with roughS in giving him hearty
support, while the Administration organs
lost their discretion and cunning in their
eagerness TO have him succeed. Add to
these the other fact that in readiness,
powers of endurance and knowledge OF
parliamentary law he was the superior
candidate of the two, and one can appre-
ciate the combinations necessary to over
come to insure success.
To meet these Mr.. Kerr had, rs we
have said, only lifelong, answering
devotion to the teachings of the fathers,
faith in the Constitution and belief IN
the higher laws of political economy. lie
offered, in word, purity of character
and an undisputed claim to statesman.
ship. For this the country is sick, and
that his candidacy should have reached
the popular heart through adverse clc-
ments and the bowling cries of the worst
mob we ever saw collected, speaks well
for the people and their lately elected
representatives..
Colonel Lamar, himself a statesman
and gentleman, struck this chord in the
few eloquent remarks with which he as
samed the duties ofthe presiding officer.
"While" he said, 'thc people demand II
searching inquiry into the acts and ac-
counts of this Administration, and eX-
pect all frauds TO be exposed, that dlsbon-
est officials may be punished, they will
not be content with this, and expect at
our hands policy that shall be both
progressive and aggressive. They look
for policy that will restore this Govern
ment 10 its legitimate constitutional Inn
its-a policy that, if carried out, will not
only hold in good faith the pledged IN
debtcdncss of the Government, but re-
store Nh irrcdecmable currency Ia proper
basis ON coin; policy that will cqualize
taxation and put an end 10 this payment
of bountIGs on certain moncycd interests
at the cost OF the labor and business Of
the land; policy that will replace fraud
and eAtravagance with honesty and econ
omy; policy that will give Us again SEN
timcntal politics 10y restoring to us
country we can love and flag we can
respect; policy that will rcunite this
severed Union in the high and holy
bonds of loving brotherhood"
This is but the skeleton of the eloquent
in the way of a platform, the
able gentleman offered, and winch, while
appaudcd with vchcmencc by all sides,
made the selection Of Michael &. Kerr a
foregonc conclusion.
The country is safe in the hands OF
this House, for the Senate will not dare
TO defeat or the President veto its wise
treasures; and even if this were so, Il sick
and ruined people Will recognize in these
Democratic leaders their better guardians
for the future.
Matters will now harmonizc and ms
the scnselcss crowd, together with the
schcming few, disappear from about our
streets hotels and lobby, the House, UNI
der the leadership of Fernando Wood, :.
:. Cox and Samuel Randall, and on the
platform given by Mr.. Lamar, will 20
on with its wise and useful work for the
country.