Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-08-25
THE DISSENSION IN THE SECOND
DISTRICT.

IL was almost the unanimous jung
ment of the State Convention that the
diSsension growing out Of the nOmina-
tions in the Second district should be
submitted to the Democratic State Com
mittce for settlement.
Ii is true that the Committee has no
authority in this matter. 1t can issue
no command that either faction will be
bound TO obey. Its services are of the
character of an advisory commission
simply, and its judgment may or may
not be accepted rs II final settlement of
the dispute.
But, as we have said, it was the Opin-
ion of the Democratic State Convention,
composed of representative men from
all sections, having only the interest of
the party at heart, that the State Com
mittee is the proper body to act in this
matter; that the two candidates and
their friends should be willing to sub
init their differences to the arbitration
of this COMMITTEES; and that they
and the party at large, should be salts
fled to accept its Judgment as a settle
ment of a very unfortunate controversy.
This division in that district Hitst be
settled. There is no man or faction that
can AFFORD to stand in the way Of set
t,Cment. The interests at stake are
higher than any mere personal or indi-
vidual interest. They are higher than
Mr.. Lucas interest or Mr.. HOge's inter
Est, or the particular interest Of the
friends of either one of these gentlemen.
They are the interests of the Demo-
cratic party; not of a faction of that
party; nor of the party living in the
Second district; nor of the party in the
State, alone. They involve the interests
of the National Democratic party. 1t
is not impossible or improbable that the
question of the supremacy of the
Democratic party ia the next House Of
Representatives may hinge upon the
settlement of this controversy in the
Second District. And We are making
no exaggerated assertion when we say,
that if this diSsensiOn existed among
Republicans the whole influence and
authority of the National Administra-
ton at Washington would be brought
t. bear to heal it and to save the party
from defeat and the loss of n Represen-
tatiye in the House. But under the
free-and- go-easy methods of the Demo-
cratic managers at Washington dis
sension of this kind among Democrats
does not attract attention, and unless
the State shall take care of its own rep
resentatiOn we will be left to be gobbled
up by the Republicans.
Already the courage and confidence
of the Republicans Of the Second Dis
trict have been revived into new life
and hope, and the whole party has
buckled on its armor, nominated a pop
ular leader, and shaped its campaign
with reference to meeting a divided and
distracted opposition in the majority
party.
1t would be shameful and suicidal
proceeding to stand by and see these
factions i'm the Second District deliber-
ateIy cut one another's Threats. 1t
would be a stroke at the integrity of the
Democratic party throughout the State.
II would be a shameful and exasPerat-
ing exhibition of fool hardness and
spite that would react not only with
terrible effect upon the responsible par
ties themselves, but would make the
whole Democratic party a Legitimate
target for ridicule.
We demand in the name of the Dem
oeratie party-in the name of every con-
sideration of manliness and pretense to
craftsmanship, that at least good horse
sense may be allowed the ascendency
in this matter, and that the candidates