The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-08-25
eermalI. +, mtricaas in Politics.

The German vote is very important
element in our politics, particularly in the
Westand Northwest. Welive near enough
toohio to know that it is an object of heten-
der solicitude Of politicians Of both parties
in that Suite. Recent phases Of politics have
made it seem that those Ohio Germans who
had been loyal to the Union and true to
the Republican party had gone over to the
enemy forevermore. This beyond doubt
is the comforting view taken by the Demo-
cratic leaders, whose confident tones have
given great oiiense to many Germans who
turned ir last year to punish the Repub-
lican party for going too far on tho liquor
question. s.s'n-'- i
The Chicago Ffeie Presse very ably dis
cusses this question in an article which
elbows at once the drift and the desire Of
this considerable political factor:
The Frxie Pre@c In consequence last fall
took the lead OF the discOnlented German
Republicans, and eSpoused the cause OF the
Democracy, Cook county, which In 1880 had
given 10000 mSiOrity for Garfield, elected
nearly alt the democratic candidates for
county offices. OF course the large oircnla-
ton OF the FIcie PRISE was not without effect
In bringing tnIS charge about, but the Ger.
man Republicans would hardly have followed
our leaG had they not approved OF our views,
for tue Germans are as independent Of news
papets rs they are Of party discipline.
The Democratic leaders now have come to
believe that the Germans, on account OF
their position on the temperance question,
have become full-tlsdged Democrats, but that
lisa great mistake, and, msde oyerbearing by
this erroneous belief, the Democratic leaders
are treating their new allies already like
sscond.rale Democrats who are kindly per-
miued to Cast tneir votes for Democratic
otlce.hunters but must never claim an office
for themselves.
TINS ruls has been estab. ished here, as well as
elsewhere. 10 Cincinnati prominent Ger
man, Mr.. Muhlhausen, who had been with the
Democrats Tor three ears and had done them
important ser nee, was denied nomination
which his friends asked tor him because be
was fresh" cts. We haze always upheld
the principle that in selecting public sell
wants the qualifications OF the candidates
should be considered before their nationality,
but II the latter Is to be considered We must
insist ON equal and fair consideration.
The eiIscp Of this slightlng OF German
Americans in order 10 satisfy the coarsest ap-
petite for spells begin to be felt already. The
Republican party, which year ago had no
reliable German organ In the entire State OF
Ohio, is supported In the present campaign
In Cincinnati alone by three German dailies,
while the Democrats nave the support OF but
ono German daily. The AH=eiger in Cleye-
land aud other German dallles are now OPP
posing the Democrats with abltterneSs which
places tle prospects OF the Democracy in any
thing but y rosy light.
Many German. Americans Joined the Re-
publican party because they were opposed TO
slavery and were loyal friende OF the Union.
Wheu the party went astrny on the temper
aucs question the Germans Joined tho Demo-
Gratis, aud opposed tho Republican parry.
But now, SINGS the Democrats treat them as
mere voting cattle, tho Germans OF Ohio are
preparing 10 punish the Democrats for the
disrespsct shown the Germans, and to teach
the Democratic party leaders lesson OF Ger
man independence OF party rules. And that
which Ia now being done in Ohio Is very
likely to be repeated here in Illinois. Mayor
Harrison, his aids, and the Democratic
County Commissioners are indeed working
hard ID make the Democratic party q stencil
In the nOstrils OF GermRn'Americans.
We observe here three important things
inevitable, consclenceless scheming Of the
Democratic party for votes, Its ingratitude
to those who help 1t, and the very natural
disposition to hold the nose in its presence.
In Ohio, where the Democratic party
would give up the fghtifit did not hope
for great help from the Germane, it has
been noticeable all through the campaign
that special efforts have been thought
necessary to hold the Germans in line, and
1t Is far from being straight line as 1t
stands. The Fris Prese notices the break,
and the indications are that the breach is
beyond repair.
Fair promises do well enough for one
campaign, but that kind Of thing is Ger.
tain to be found out, and then the trouble
comes. The mistake Of the Germans who