The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-02-10
Col, swans Third.Term Letter.

Col. Swann's Third.Term Letter.
Editor IntsIlIEenecr:
The presumption. OF some men surpas-
ses belief. From Col, Swann's letter,
which YOU re-published from the Charles |
ton Journal on the 9TH inst, il is very up.
parent that he imagineS that he can mould
thc Republican party Of West Virginia
TO suit himself, and doubtless during his
recent visit to his kinsman for l believe
he claims kindred with-the President,
and the aforesaid President being as lib
eral a. Goldsmith,s village preacher, al.
lows his claim at the White House, led
the President 10 believe that he Swami
could 60 homc,publish letter I'M county
newspaper, advising third term, and
every Republican, in the State would
wheel into line as naturally as flock OF
sheep would jump a fence after an old
bell wether. But Col. Thomas B. Swami
is not a bell wethcr in the Republican
flock, but unfortunately in the minds Of
many lie is considered the "black sheep"
OF the flock. The "notched muskeP
story and his great zeal in the cause of
the Southern Coniederacy have caused
many to doubt the 'genuineness Of his
conversion to Republicanism. They
think that he ought To take back seat,
and wait until the wrongs Q-willhot be 50
harsh as 10 quote correctly done in the
days OF his rebellion "are burnt and
purged away"
Col. Swami has been bird Of evilomen
to the Republicans Of West Virginia.
In the State Republican Convention in
Parkersburgh in June 1870, he was chos-
en- by the Republicans to address the Con.
vention, very i'll advised measure, and
did address it. This thing Of itself gave
the Republican canvass OF that year u
bad start, from the fact that 1t had been
a constant cry with the Republicans that
il the Democrats got into power, they
would give prominence TO the rebels, and
this selecting Of Swami was taken to indi-
cate that all that Republicans wantedin
rebel, before they would invite him to seat
at the head Of their table, was that he
should subscribe to and advocate their pol
itical creed, This and other causes brought
about the political revolution OF 1870 by
which power was wrested from the hands
OF the Republicans in our State, and our
people have been living under the blight
ing curse Of Democracy ever since.
i know but little Of Colonel Swami, but
from what have learned OF him ! would
not Judge that lie ia per 50 very potent for
either good or evil; but great evil is some
times accomplished through small agen-
cies when those agencies are misapplled:
Colonel Swami, as private member OF
the Republican party, or even as apubllc
member OF the Democratic party, would
be harmless; but when the Republicans
in 1870 misapplied him he was not quite
harmless. When President Grant gave
ear to his advice, and appointed some OF
the Colonel's rebel friends to Office, he
did not particularly cndear himself 10
the Republicans of West Virginia.
am not particularly Mortified at the
ide a OF n third term for President Grant,
for can see no constitutional objection
to it, nor have l been displeased with the
leading measures Of his administration,
and il the people were disposed TO nOmi-
nate him for third term, l would not at
all be displeased, for ! have regarded all
the wall about "CGsarism" rs the sheer
est political "Clap trap" but l have en-
deaYOred TO watch the course OF events
for the past twelve months, and they have
plainly developed the fact that the people
would regard the election oil President
Grant to third term MS dangerous pre-
cedent, and they have set their faces
against it. Especially is this the case
with the Republicans Of West Virginia,
whom | know to be as firm friends OF
| President Grant rs he has in the United
States. They do not oppose the third
term to Grant because he is Grant, but
because il ia the third term.
Col. SWANS pretcXt that military
| Chief Magistrate" is continuing neceS'
sity, because OF the opposition Of the
rebel element to nationality and their
continued exertiOns for paramount States
| rights, is very Aimsy. 4 Chief Magis.
tratc can I've us efficient in choking out
faction and rebellion, who has never
"hGard the sound Of battle" US one who
has won fields. Mr.. Lincoln was not u
military Chief Magistrate" yet he
CTUSItu OIG VI lHt usOAt SI6hhAh AN'SA-
lions known in the annals Of history.
No Republican would have doubt but
what Mr.. Blaine or dozen other men
with nothing but civic fame, who could
be mentioned, could manage the refrac.
tory clements in our country rs well AS
Gen. Grant. An armed rebellion or ill.,
surrection is not anticipated, and cOnse-
, Qucntly Il great Military Captain is not
particularly demanded to ill the
Presidential chair, and II such were the
case, the late unpleasantness developed
other military men besides General
Grant. But, although partial to mill
. tary men, think the United States can
&c, along for the next few years with n
civic hero in the Presidential chair.
DO not expect anybody 10 he controlled
. bv anything that can say, but see
that the drift Of Republican sentiment in
our State ia in favor Of Hon. James G.
Blaine, and should ne be selected the he
publicana have the confidence to believe
: that he could steer the ship OF state rs
safely ~ President Grant.
Colonel Swami will find that the Re-
publicans Of West Virginia have no dis.
position to stand quietly and permit him
, to iastcn third.term traces on them.
Union REPUBLICAN.