Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-15
THE eREAT REPUBLICAN HEREsY


There has been no tenet Of the Radical
party mere. persistently pressed upon
the people Of Ohio by the campaign
speakers than that fatal and dangerous
! political heresy of a centralized govern
ment that shall swallow up the States
and transier the government of the peo-
pie and by the people to the hands OF
single individual presiding at Washing
ton.
We do not believe that Republican
success in Ohio will be regarded as
an endorsement OF this heresy, how
ever prominent the issue has been made
in the campaign, but it would probably
give encouragement to the advocates Of
this fundamental tenet of Radicalism,
unless the patriotic masses can be
aroused to a sense OF the actual and i'm
minent danger that must result from its
agitation, and permanently retire the
class OF statesmen and politicians who
cling to 1t as an essential plank in their
party creed.
The effort OF the Southern States To
secede would have given us, ii sue
cessful, remarks an exchange: a
number OF small republics each
based upon the great principle of ma
jority rule. The republican idea-the
right of the majority to rule-would
have survived
But successful Capitalization will give
US one consolidated despotism, the only
possible escape from which will be reyo-
luton, and the result OF even that last
resort OF the oppressed will be doubtful,
for the army and navy and all the ma
chinery OF the government will be in the
hands Of the oppressors.
We believe, whatever may be the YER
dict in OHIO, that the people have not
decided TO give up their right or weaken
in their belief of capacity for self-goy-
eminent. In the general elections Of
the past few years they have condemned
the anti Republican course OF the Radi-
cal party, and there IS no douOt that
they will repeat the verdict as often and
"a emphatically as may be necessary. in
order to preserve our institutions from
the destructive tendencies OF CentraliZa-
ton.
During the exciting local campaigns
Of this year many oi the suChorized e.
pOnents OF Radical sentiment-the or
cams and orators OF the Republican party
have thrown off all disguise, and
boldly proclaimed warfare againsi the
rights oil tine States in a spirit as
hostile 10 the underlying aud pervading
principals Of the Constitution As were
the fiery appeals OF the hot-blooded Ia
natics, North and South, during tine
year preceding the war Of the rebellion.
Stripped OF redundant yerbiage, the Rad
zeal creed is: "The States have no rights
that the Nation is bound to respect.
Those are not the exact words OF any re-
cognized authority, but they precisely
express the one ilea that has been mo-e
prominent than all others for some
months passed in the political literature
OF the Republican organization.
There is no safe course but strict adj
herence to the great compact, by virtue
81 which the National Government ex-
lists. All parties must respect alike the
sovereignty of the Nation and the soycr-
eighty of the States, each in its prescrih-
III sphere, as defined 10y the Constitu-
ton. The grandest conception ami
most splendid realization of National
development, greatness and glory are not
only consistent with this view % States
rights, but can only be- attained by rigid
adherence thereto. Oi the twin hereSicS,
secession and Capitalization, that have
threatened the National life, one has
died amid the throes OF civil war. We
cherish q firm belief that the other will
be destroyed by the overwhelming force
Of pubic opinion, operating through the
ballO; box.