The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-22
CLOSE Up THE RANKS.

CLOSE Up THE RANKS.
The Radicals of West Virginia are
basing high hopes of success on divisions
which they aliege exist in our ranks.
Nothing is more common than to hear
expressions of exultation over anticipated
victory next Fall, coupled with the re-
mark that it will be impossible FOR the
Democracy to WIN, because they cannot
reconcile the inharmonious elements
which exist in their party.
Most assuredly if what these radicals
say Is true, We are IN dangerous con-
dition, for nothing is truer than that "a
house diyided against itself can
not stand" But to be forwarned is
to be forearmed, and it becomes the duty
of every man who is opposed to the pro
longation of power in the hands of the
Radical party to put his shoulder to the
wheel, and with an eye single to the &C.
cOmplishment of the desired end, work.
To do this successfully at least two things
are sbsolutely;necessary:
First, The Democracy must dominate
strong ticket. 1t must be composed
of men Of brains ard energy, who pos
se's capacity, nerve, and asincere dispo.
siticn to overthrow the common enemy,
and who will at the same time reflect
credit upon the State and the
party; such men will at once
control the sutirages OF the
people, and make harmony and coDse-
quent victory an assured tact. But,
second. While this will be a most i'm
portsnt step in the right direction, there
is yet another more importaD: and of
higher character still. This Is that the
chief cornerstone Of Democracy-"Prin-
ciples not Men'-should be the prevail
ing sentiment. A strong ticket is in
itself good; but no strong Democratic
ticket can be procured unless its members
are imbued with the idea that a triumph
of the principles for which we fight is
the first thing TO be considered. And
most assuredly, If there ever was
time when it was necessary for those
principles to triumph that time is now.
If it WAS ever necessary ioI fraud and
corruption in high places to be dethroned,
that necessity is making itself felt in the
strongest manner, throughout the length
and breadth of the land To be inn
pressed with the truth, we have only to |
look at the record of the present dom
inant party, and more especially that of
the present administration. Only con-
slider what II reputation the country has
acquired under Radical auspices. THEY
cry, swindling and cheating has
been the element controlling that |
party body and soul. Those holding
the rcins Of government have he'd but |
one idea, and that has been the setting
up Of fayorites, so they might acquire
riches at public expense. From the Of
ice of Presiden: down to the humbiest
tax gatherer, the sole object of office has
been private gain, and SO unblushingly
has this practice been carried on, that il
is even confessed on the trial OF the
Presidents own private secretary (for be- |
ing mixed up in the hugeSt conspiracy of !
modern tines that the frauds werc well |
known in Washington, but there
was no time to interfere with |
their preparation, because, for
sooth, certain elections were coming |
on, and they were of paramount i'm.
portance. In other words, the main !
tenance in power of Radical officials |
and the Radical party, was regarded a
of higher import than the breaking up |
of gang of thieves who were stealing
millions from the public crib. No won
der under such circumstances, that Credit
Mobiliers, gigantic subsidies and schemes
of all kinds for the fraudulent acquire
ment of riches could, not only be iuau-
yursted, but flourish right on the floors of
Congress, and right under the executive
eyes No wonder we had whisky |
ring with its ramIfcations extending in |
every direction of the land, fattening
and luxuristing in the broad light Of day.
And no wonder is it that the special pets
and families of the administration itself
should be the chief actors in the con-
splracy. In the light of these things is
/. not necessary that principles in oppo-
sition to such well nigh incomprehensi-
bic frauds should triumph? Has it not
been shown that there can be no such
thing as honesty under radical rule?
Nay more. Is it not rs apparent as the
mid day sun that even now these con-
spiracies and stealings would be carried
on with impunity, had the people in
1874, instead of hurting that party from
power as far as possible, re-endorsed it
by sending majority of its adherents to
the lower House Of Congress? 1t is not
strange that these Investigations were
not instigsted until after the election of
a Democratic House, when virtue was as
sumed as necessity, it being wellknown
that that House would have unearthed
the frauds and prosecuted to the utmost
The thieves.
II is not worth while to enumerate