The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-07-06

Was IL Mistake IL Cali the Republican
Convention No Early In the Canvass ,
The Matter Discussed. .'i' igsf
PAErrRsBuRo, July 8, 1852. 4
Eii.or lniclligencer I'LL 3. "a.
There seems to be strong undercurrent
Of dissatisfaction existing among Republi.
cans hereabouts concerning the time that
has been fixed for holding the Republican
Congr essional Convention. 1t has been
called Tor July 18th, over month prior to
the Democratic Convention. I am not in.
formed as to the reasons that induced the
committee to issue call this early, but a
large majority Of the Representative Re.
publicans are OF the opinion that n serious,
II not fatal, blunder has been committed.
1t has always been considered the part OF
political discretion, ut least that is my OBJ
servation, for the minority party to an.
nouuce Its policy and hold It's convention
after the party in power has held It's con.
vention and defined its policy. This, I be-
lieve, is the universal custom, and il 1t
was ever departed from many important
instance the fact has escaped my recollec.
ton. The current policy for mi
nority party TO take, according 10
Aaron Burr, one Of the shrewdest
politicians America has produced, Is to take
the defensive until the battle line Is formed
and then take the aggressive and keep it
until the election. II the weaker party
takes the field first and makes its uomina-
lions and defines its policy, it exposes to
its stronger opponents its weak points OF
defense and puts 1t out OF its power TO take
advantage OF its opponents errors and mis-
takes. The result is the weaker party is
compelled to take the defensive and main
tain it throughout the campaign, and thus
yield the vantage TO the stronger party.
The action OF the committee in this district
Is an anomaly in politics, and calls for de:
cisive action on the part OF the convention
that meets on the 18th. The auguries, Us
shown BY present signs, indicate pro-
tracted struggle in the Democratic conven-
ton. Bitter luminosity will be formed that
ought to be made TO serve the Republican
cause, and geographical claims will
be ignored that might be made
to aid Republican policy. All Of these
possible aids We are putting from US by an
early convention, while the advantages 10
be gained, are not scheduled in the political
strategis,s foot notes. Saidan old Republi-
can leader 10 me the other day, and his
skill in political sagacity is not excelled BY
any Republican in the State, serious
blunder has been committed in calling our
convention before the Democrats, and the
only way that our chances can be retrieved
is for the convention TO either at once ad.
journ sine die, or adjourn subject to the call
continued, that We had better make no
nomination than make one at such an in
opportune time.
There is great variety OF opinions here
abouts concerning the status OF the W., P.
& C. road. Some ale Of the opinion that
it has found permanent burial beneath
the debris OF Wall street. Others seem to
think it never had IN existence outside the
possibilities OF political strategy; while
others think it will soon develop into a full
grown enterprise That it has received q
serious check in the recent action OF the
syndicate all must admit, and there seem
10 be but few who concede the reasons
urged by the syndicate for temporary de-
lay. What will be the outcome Of this
multitude OF opinions it is difficult todeter-
mine. The present officers OF the organi-
za,ion still maintain strong iaith in the
enterprise. and believe that the check is
but temporary one. They will push the
survey and securing the right Of way be-
tween this place and Point Pleasant with
energy, and believe that, with this prelimi.
nary work concluded. We will soon see
work begun all along the line. All must
admit that Gen. Warner now has the OPP
portuni,y to get in effective work on the
Ohio side OF the river, and il he fails to i'm.
prove it West Virginia will undoubtedly
be the first to secure river railroad.
GRISSEI1