Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-27
FOR LIFE.
A Southern Leader Running the
Grant Boom Into the Ground
He FavOrs the Election OF
the General for Life, to be
Succeeded by His Son Fred.

Succceucu bS Ills BUN AhSN'
WASHINGTON, November PA let
fer printed in the Capital has attracted
considerable attention. 1t is dignited
with doubleleaded editorial space. 1t
is introduced as follows: THE follow
ing letter, or fragment OF one, written
us by a friend at the South, tells its
story. We are really not at liberty to
indicate the writer, certainly not the
name. Could we do the last, the coun-
try would be startled, for he is an emf
nent man who is given TO saying what
he thinks, and thinking TO a purpose
that influences thousands OF others
1t is dated %, Miss, November
l6." Ii isa very general impression here
that O stands for Oorford, SenaOr La
mars home, and that Lamar is the
writer. 1t is addressed only Dear d.,
and proceeds as follows:
"You may well ask what we are 60
ING to do about it? | have been asking
that pertinent question of quite num-
Der OF our prominent men, who are In
position to feel and understand the
temper of our people since the elections
at the North. The response is, that to
be equal the emergency, We must, as
YOU are fond of saying, look the inevi-
table fairly and calmly in the face. In
this have condensed number OF let
tiers and number of talks. The emer-
gency presented us is to be found In
the fact that every Northern State,
without exception, has declared against
us, oman issue made up of the right ac-
corded us by the Constitution previous
to the late war, of home government, or,
as it is popularity understood, OF each
State to regulate and control its own
affairs. This right was not only clearly
understood, but as clearly recognized;
and that such is not the fact to-day
demonstrates that at the North we are
regarded as a conquered people, subject
to such penalties in the form of punish
ment as the conquerors may dictate. In
other words We are not a part OF the
Union, possessed of equal rights, but
people, il not hated, at least suspended,
and to be treated as alien enemies, dan
gerous to the peace and welfare of the
entire country. The Democratic party
has made a heroic fight in our and its
own behalf at the North, but made it in
vain. New York and Indiana are both
claimed for us, but both are doubtful.
II is practically to-day Solid North
against Solid South. This is the
emergency in which we are called upon
TO act.
"The North wants grand Union,
with power centralized at Washinton.
We will give the North and take to our
selves grand nation, with the power OF
an empire centralized at Washington.
The North wants dictator, a strong
man elected for life, to regulate and
control this National Government, with
its power at Washington. We will elect
Grant President for life, and for these
reasons: As long as the substance is
gone, there is no use clinging to an
empty shell, especially when, by aban-
doning the old, rotten hulk for the new
craft, we have a chance of bettering our
selves. This waving OF the bloody
shirt, these continued assaults and in
suits upon us, originate in desire to
gain votes at the North. If the object
is gained for which the votes are sought,
there will no longer be reason for az
erosion. The Republican party will be
SatlSneQ, anu We Slldll Dt lSlI dlOhO W
build up our shattered fortunes in peace.
There will be a poetical justice IN this,
that in itself is tempting to us
OF the South. We shall see that in the
brutal war waged on us TO free the ne
groes those people have enslayed them
selves, and we are a mighty factor in
the ugly results.
''This, you will say, is the lowest form
of egotism; but Won must remember,my
dear friend, we are not sOiling our pa
triotism, for we are not allowed to have
any. We are not sacrificing any right
or any freedom, for we have none to
sacrifice. We are, as the case stands,
conquered people, without hope, home
or manhood; and we not only, like the
blind Samson, pull the temple down,
but we rise, unlike Samson, unhurt
above the ruins. We would be better
pleased TO have better instrument, but
we must remember that 70 have
a better man is to have no in
strument. 1t takes coarse brute to
serve such q purpose. Revolutions,
nv dear, are not made out of gentle
men, said that French woman OF the
Court, when lady friend complained
to her OF the low sort OF men the revolt
had brought into power. l shall advo-
cate the reelection OF Grant as long as
he lives, and his son Fred, after his
death, il live that long.