The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-06-14

so l don't know, sab, whar the new
whig party is to come from-Darfore l
regards it an onpossioility."
And JIMMY PATTERSON is about right.
When HENRY CLAY light was exLin-
guished. the Sun which warmed the
Wing party into notoriety went down,
and there is no one left to take his place.
CLAY AS A POLITICAL PROPHET.
A gentleman at these springs, few
days ago, entertained me with his recol-
lection OF conversation he heard u num-
ber OF years ago, between Mr. CLAY and
.MB. PErTIGREw; the distinguished South
Carolina lawyer and Wing leader of that
state. II was pleasant summer after
noon, and Mr.. PETTIGREw had called
upon the great statesman soon after his
arrival at tee Syringe. Probsbly Uncle
jimmy" had mixed the three juleps, as
the Kentucky giant was in fine how
of humor. During the conversation
Mr.. PETTIGREw remarked that in his
opinion the contest over slavery would
ultimately lead to a dissolution of the
Union. 1t was at this point that NJ.
CLAY fred up, and for three qusrters of
an hour gave burst to flow Ct eloq lence,
which my narrator says he never heard
equaled from him at any time, although
he had heard him on the hustings and in
the Senate chamber repeatedly. He de-
MED that slavery would lead to dissoIu-
ton. He admitted that it might be the
cause Of civil war; which would termi-
mated IN the destruction of the institu.
tion, and tor that cause he deprecated the
agitation of the subject. But ne said that
be did fear dlsmemberment OF the
Union from another cause, and that
was Presidential election. Mr.. PETIT
GREW expressed himself surprised at this
opinion, as he could see that there was
40 danger to be apprehended from that
source. Mr.. CLAY then proceeded to
point out the remarkable stupidity of the
trainers of the government in not pro-
viding against the contingency of fraud
in the returns of the States. He thought
that he cou d iOresee the day when, by
corrupt influences, u fraudulent return
could be secured from one or more of the
States, and minority candidate be
counted in. He at that time gave it as
bis opinion that the returns of the States
must be taken and counted as they stood,
rs the Federal government did not have
ths power to revise, or Ia any way inter-
fere with, the action of the States. He de
MED the power, even by implication, of
Congress to create any tribunal to settle
disputed Presidency, as the power to
count the votes rested in the two Houses
OF Congress, and that body acting in that
capacity had no Judicial powers. Hence
he could see how that majority de-
frsuded OF their choice for President
would revolt against the rule OF the mi
nority. Mr.. CLAY's prediction came so
near TO being fulfilled with the recent
contest that it surely would be the part
OF wisdom to take immediate steps pro-
vldng against the recurrence of any
such danger in the future The Consti-
tuition should be changed in this respect,
and the complex electoral system be
abolished.
In the past the South was the con.
trolliLg element of
AMERICAN POLITICS,
but as the see oter has departed from her
hand and the West is the growing power,
Western statesmen have taken fancy
to the White Sulphur Springs, where so
many political conspiracies were hatched
in the "old days" Who can tell but
that the meeting of the President and
the governors here during the summer
NAV not result in remoDeytlzlng
silver, and by postponing the date for
resumption. give the West victory over
the east in determining a financial policy.
WEST VIRGINIA RECOGNIZED
1t is gratifying that the President has
at last recognized West Virginia, even
though IN small way. The appoint
ment of Gen. GoFF to the Solicitorship
of the Treasury WAS surprise only
equslled by his declination. The appoint
ment of Maj. GAINES to District At
torneyship in Montana is worthlly bes-
towed. as the Major is a genial gentle
man and lawyer of good attanmerts.
The appointment of Mr.. CAMPBELL to q
Commlssioncrship in the District OF Col
umbla is perhaps not SO palatabIe to
West Virginian Republicans rs it is to
the people OF the District. Mr.. CAMP
BELL Ia not admired by the average Re-
publican o: West Virginia perhaps be-
cause they are cnvious of his superior
abilities, and because of his disposition to
eevote himself above the rank and file
who chafe under his leadership. But the
people of Washington hove cause for
congrstulation on his appointment, even
if the small fry politicians rf the Repub-
lican party of this State are chagrined.
He is eminently qualified 10 discharge
the duties OF the position, and the fact
that BEN. BUTLER is mad about his ap-
pointment is presty good evidence that
there Is some good in it.
COL. T. d. SWAMI.
There is probability of West Nir.
ginia receiving more eminent recognl-
tion yet-snd that is in the appointment
OF Col. Il. Is. SWAMI, of Charleston, 10
the vacancy on the Supreme bench. The
contest is said to be narrowed to SWAMI
snd Judge RIVERS, of Virginia. Judge
RIVERS is already superannusted, and
this gives the Colonel, who Is just in
the prime of life, decided advantage.
His appointment would be salts
factory to all parties, as his kind heart
and genial man nners have won him host
of friends among all classes.
am surprised that Gov. STEVENSON,
who claims patent to the invention Of
President HAYES, has not had mis- inven-
tive genius rewarded. ! am strsid that
the secret of his being BLAINE man at
heart has leaked out, and be and Colonel
DAVIS and the other original BLAINE
men will have to abide their time, which
will be when the BLAINE-HAYas war
has been fought or compromised.
G. II. NJ.
NATURAL, causes are bringing about