The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-05-22

PGkersburs oarnal.
The Republican State Convention which
assembled in Wheeling on the 18th inst,
was largely attended and composed OF
representative Republicans, very enthu.
siastic and at times very boisterous. The
friends OF the "plumed knight" James G..
Blaine, especially, inspired by the spirit Of
their magnetic favorite, became at times,
perhaps unintentionslly, but neyerthe-
less unmanageably hot in the collar.
They had an overwhelming majority In
the Convention, and had their enthusiasm
been tempered with liberation and de-
corum their preponderence in numbers
would have achieved results more
substantial for that great Republican
leader. Majorities are apt to be
inconsiderate and not unirequently tyran.
meal, and the majority in the Wheeling
convention was not an exception to the
rule. Hit did not go as far as maiorities
sometimes do it went far enough 10 make
IL dangerous for future conventions TO fol.
low lis example. The unit rule" Is
plant that can never have very luxuriant
growth 10 the Republican party, except at
the expense OF party vitality, There is
even now danger that its arbitrary en-.
forcement at our convention may seriously
interfere with our prospects oil success In
the pending campaign, unless the senh.
ment OF the party throughout the State
pronounces an emphatic protest against
It's adoption.
While It Is undoubtedly true that many
thoughtful Republicans in West Virginia
have their doubts about the availability OF
Blaine as a candidate 1t is evident that he
Is the choice OF the Republican masses
throughoutthe State, except perhaps in
the Third District aud a part Of the First,
and there Is the best reason for believing
that but for the gag Of instructions so
ioolishly applied, the delegates from the
Third District would have cast their votes
for Blaine when 1t became apparent that
they were necessary to secure his nomi.
nation. This prospect, we fear, has been
unwisely thrown away the convention in
usurping authority, clearly reposed. in
Congressional districts by the call OF
the National Republican Committee
in the rejection OF the majority re.
port OF that district. The call of
the National Committee, beyond any rea
sonable doubt, gives each Congressional
district the right to send two delegates
to the Chicago Convention, and the pre-
sumption seems irresistible that two and
perhaps all three Of the delegates present.
ed by the majority from the Third Dis.
trict will be admitted at Chicago, and
thus three electoral votes which might
have been cast for Blaine at q time to
make his nomination certain are in great
danger OF being thrown against him. In
this connection we wish II understood
that We recognize In both sets Of delegates
from the third district true and reliable
Republicans, gentlemen who will not
stoop 10 anything dishonorable at Chica.
go or anywhere else. They are personal
and political friends, and our regret is to
see them face each other in this unpleas.
ant relation.
We should feel as Il we were uniaithful
TO our convictions and 10 what we regard
rs the best interest Of the great Republi.
can party, both now aud in the future, II
We did not enter our firm protest against
this departure from Republican usage;
this binding Of delegates hand and loot
to act In a particular way at Chicago when
o different one, suggested by peculiar
combination oil circumstances which may
occur, would save the Republican party
from defeat and diAaster.