The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-08-02

pOrtance, party interest was preferred TO
the interest of the people. The most I'M
portant measures were matured IN the
secret recesses Of caucus, and the con-
sciences of members stitled by party de-
crees. When a measure thus concocted
bv party and in the interest of party,
was brought from caucus into the Senate
or the House, We more than once saw its
supporters refrain from discussion lest
their jarring views might disturb their
harmony, and vote down all amend
ments, however proper, in obedience to
the caucus decree. In word, during
that whole session the question with the
majority seemed to be not What Is best
/ for the RepubicY but What is neces-
sary to save the Republican party?
This was what made the party strive
to divert attention from the outrages
committed in the South, and it was this
which made them pass-without allowing
discussion on it-that sham called "An
act to provide for specie payment" which
was passed; "not as financial measure
nor rs thing in which any one believed
but simply as u caucus compromise OF
conflicting opinions; political sticking
plaster to hold the oposing wings OF the
Radical party together, and adjournment
of the currency question, so tar as the
Radicals are concerned, until after the
next presidential election"
/ He then goes on to explain his position
as above set forth, on this point, and hav-
ing concluded, proceeds to discuss other
matters of more important consideration;
the success of the Democracy, and the
benefits which will be secured thereby.
He gives history of the Democratic
party, which has outlived all its oppo-
nents for three-quarterS Of n century. at
( has survived al. parties except the COM
paratively modern party with which it is
now cOntcnding and the signs Of the
times indicate that ere long It will survive
that And, giving reasons of its vitality,
he says that this is due to the
general fact, that more strongly than lis
adverSarieS, it is imbued with love of
free, democratic institutions; that, more
firmly than its opponents, it believes in
local selt-government, and is, therefore,
more conservative of the rights of the
States; that, more srdently than other
parties, it Is attached to the liberties of
the individual, and, therefore, defends the
reserved rights OF the people against all
encroachments of power, whether Fed
eral or State; that its legislation has
been marked by greater liberality to i'm
migrants, greater respect for liberty OF
speech and OF the press, greater regard
tor the rights OF conscience more deter
mined opposition to monopolies of every
kind, soundcr views Of currency, com
merce and trade, and strlcter adherence
TO simplicity and economy in every de-
partment OF government, Federal or
State, than has characterized the meas
ures of its opponents. Add to these,
that its principles make it the enemy OF
all shams and false pretenses, and incul-
cate the dignity as well as the usefulness
of labor, and we can arrive ut no other
conclusion than that the Democracy are
the national party of free institutions in
a Republic like ours"
He then discusses the main points of
difference between the parties. One Is
the friend of Capitalization; the other Of
local self-government, the principle up
on which our Republic is founded, and
the one intended above all others by the
trainers of the Federal Constitution-and
to firmly establish which, as if to make
assurance doubly sure and leave no room
for doubt or misconception, "amend-
ments were adopted, declaring that the
enumeration in the Constitution of GER
tain rights shall not be construed to deny
or disparage others retained by the peo-
ple;' and again, that the powers not del
egated to the United States by the Con-
stitution, nor prohibited by it to the
States, are reserved to the States respect
lively or to the people
He then shows how in the last ten
years, State governments have been at
tempted to be ovelthrown by Congress,
and governments according to the will
of the party substituted in their stead
He cites the cases of Georgia, Louisiana
and Arkansas to prove tins He dwells
particularly upon the interference of the
L. :. army with the Louisiana Legisla-
ture and the effort made by the Presi-
dent himself to ovcrturn the government
of Arkansas, and reinstate by force the
verv man he had refused To recognize,
and says he:
"Now if there is any one here who hi;
disbclieved in the danger OF centrailZd-
tioa, who has regarded what has been
said about 1t as the mere clap-trap of
demagoguc, the dream Of visionary, or
an cxerci.cc cf II rhctorician, pray him,
in view of the facts have stated, and ot
many more % like import that might be
stated, and of the utterances, Mt first
cautious and faint, but now bold and out
l.. md 1f,H
ential of the Radical heads, TO review his
opinion, and seriously and cUnscien-
tiouslv consider the question, Is there
not danger? ~
He earnestly warned the people, in view
of these things, not to suppose that be-
cause the framework of the State govern
mcnts may remain, the rights ofthe States
will also be preserved. The Republican