The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-02-07
Col. Tom Swann's Letterin Favor
OF His COuS-in.LaW'S Re-nOml-

nation.
From the Charleston JournAll
My DEAR ATKTNsoN-We approach u
critical period in our National History.
The contest is still being urged with unde.
termined results in the public mind,
whether State Sovereignty shall rule
America, or Nationality shall triumph.
Il has been Withdrawn from the judgment
OF arms, and the party vanquished upon
the field has appealed to the country with
as much daring as they did to the sword.
But the fact remains that we have not
reached the end. A change Of leaders now
may involve disasters from which recov-
cry may not be possible. Had the strus-
gle lasted in the field, would it be
wise to change commanders every
four years? II does last, SO far as set.
tied results are involved, with this alarm
ing difference; the disbanding OF armies
has thrown together the elements OF
strength at the, North, who advocate
State Sovereignty, and those lately in
arms against Nationality. Their union
make the final results more alarming
than when they were separated by war.
Their syppathies are unit. They can.
not overthrow the general Government
and make it subordinate to the States ex-
cept by revolution, which they will pro.
woke in the effort. They enter upon their
work in 1875 with fairer prospects ofsuc-
cess than in 1861, because unit. Brothers
come back" and "the inheritance shall be
ours" after we "have slain centralized gov
ernmcnt, or Nationality" For the Ma
tional party the presence OF military
Chief Magistrate is a continuing necessi-
ty. 1t will take Grant third term TO
bury the opposition to Nationality, and
place the Republic on solid, enduring
basis. II the revolutionary party reach
power after all that has transpired with
in the last fifteen years, after the argu-
ment Of the sword, the press, and the 10.
rum, their triumph will extend the Con-
federacy from the Lakes 10 the Gulf. The
protection OF the National Government
Withdrawn, the hostility Of the States
lately in rebellion will drive liberal men,
true to Nationality, from their territory,
and renew once more the contest, which
must end, as before, in war.
Slavery was not the cause OF the late
war, but the developing agent. The true
cause is found in tho Resolutions OF '9S-
80. As long as the seminal life OF that
perniciouS principle remains we will be
exposed to revolutions. 1t is too aggres-
siye upon the principle Of self-preserva-
tion for nationality 10 endure without an
effort to relieve itself from u cancer
which must sap its life unless removed.
We are still crossing the stream OF an.
cry passions. The centennial year is a
6reastwork behind which the enemy has
concealed his purpose. The command "lie
low" has passed along the lines. Dislo-
Gated power is rcuniting It's plans and
strength. Again the Nation is about 10
enter for the trial OF its strength. With
Grant il can win. The enemy fear him,
and he knows their weak points. II We
swap horses now, we may go down in the
waves Of passion. "It will take Grant
third term to bury the Democratic party.
1t is not wise either to change the under
taker or the order Of the burial services
until the grave is reached and the dead
deposited. At the end Of the third term
we can bury the Democratic party. Let
the procession move on one more term
until all the living have peace.
That part OF the country watered by the
streams that flow through the Mississippi
river into the Gulf OF Mexico holds the
preponderance OF political power Of our
future, and its interests are not entirely
homogeneous with the interest Of other
sections. Our future Presidents, with
rare exceptions will be Western men, no
matter which party is in power. We
must select Western men OF broad, pa
triotic views, whose sympathies are not
warped by sectional feelings. We. know
General Grant will maintain the Nation
al faith. The financial issues will re-
quire wisdom and frmness for years to
come. They involve the difficult prob.
lens OF labor and capital, so jealous in all
ages and all countries, Of each other. They
involve the public safety. With General
Grant ut the head Of the Government,
there is sense OF safety, which would be
materially weakened with an untried
man at the head OF the Government. We
cannot see far enough into the future to
make change now.
The Republicans Of tho North look at
the third term from the standpoint OF
past prcjudiccs; we Of the South look at
il from u standpoint Of present danger
and necessity. Again, General Grants
personal character would secure large
vote, which no other repuplican'can get.
With Democratic President, the future
OF the South is problem, which we
would rather not sec solved, until the
country is more quiet, the results OF the
war more firmly fixed in the public mind.
Our greatest need Is another term OF
quiet, and the man who will secure it.
Yours truly,
....,..... T.B.SwANN.
Charleston, W. Va, Jan. 2s, 1879.
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