Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-03
PARTY POLICY.
The Best Course to be Pur-
sued by the Democrats.
VIEWS OF BYNUM And MILLS
On the Great Questions Of the Day
Before the People.
THE COUNTRY NEEDS REST
THE COUNTRY NEEDS REST
From Class Legislation Reciprocity Full and
Complete--Free Trade With Canada and
Mexico Almost as Important as Free
Trade Retween the StateS--Sur-
render Personal Considerations
for the Success Of
Common Cause.

next House and by its wise and patriotic
course commend itself to the country is
a question not easily answered. In pol
iticS it often requires greater tact,
courage and ability to successfully util-
lie the fruits Of victory than it does to
win the contest.
The results of our elections within the
last decade have pretty well established
the fact that political power is more apt
to prove an element Of weakness than
OF strength. We have at least reached
period when parties rely with more
confidence upon the mistakes Of their
adVersaries than upon the strength OF
their own cause for success.
1t IS doubtless a fact that the victory
achieved by the Democratic party last
November, considering its unparalleled
| magnitude and the manifested Influences
which aided In bringing it about, was
largely due to the wilful misconduct Of
the leaders OF the Republican party.
The victory ought not TO be claimed as
full endorsement OF the Democratic
party, but rather an absolute repudi-
alton OF the practices and methods OF
the Republican party. a contest waged
on so many iSSues-between such di-
yersifed combinati0ns-ha seldom been
witnessed. There was unity OF purpose
in but one objcct-the complete over
throw Of the Republican party.
The sudden desertionS from the ranks
OF the old parties in States where party
fealty had for many years been the only
accepted proof Of loyalty TO the Govern
ment, resulting in antagOnisms between
former friends and associates more Bit
ter than had ever characterized their
combined hatred OF common enemy,
fully demonstrated that the people had
been goadcd into frenzy, and In their
wrath were bent on striking down the
party in power. although there was not
sufficient time TO determine what policy
should be pursued afterwards. This,
however, is not strange. as it is imposSl-
BILE for the people to direct with GER
tainty what shall be the outcome OF
revolution. In their individual ca
pacities they can destroy party
or pull down government, but only
through their representative can they
fouad a policy or establish 4 constitu-
tion. The former they very effectively
did at the last election, but the policy
which is to Join all the struggling ele-
mentS is yet to be formed. True, 1t
may be accepted that the demand Tor
reduction Of taxes was the chief matter
in controversy, aud that the verdict OF
the people on this question should set
tie il beyond cayil, and yet ! apprehend
the trainers or bill in the Fifty-second
Congress will find it very difficult task.
1t may well be anticipated that rep
reSentativeS coming from every section
Of the country, comprising nearly three
fourthS Of the entire body, chosen by
constituencies whose interests from a
selfish standpoint are antagOnistic, I'M
der the Influences OF such intense feel
ing will materially differ from the
course to be pursued. Many have no
doubt pledged themselves to the sup
port of special measures and VIII be
forced by sense of honor, to make an
effort to secure their enactment.
No person, after viewing all these
facts and complications, would under
take TO mark out course which all the
Democratic members could safely travel,
without first ascertaining II possible the
causes which have led 10 this deep dis
satisfaction. What great wrong have
been inflicted upon the prople that their
confidence has been practically de-
stroyed.
without entering upon lengthy
argument to prove the fact, IL is Ger
tainly apparent that the curse OF the
people is and has been class legislation
and paterna government. To these
more than all else, is attributable their
deplorablc condition; and here Is the
rock upon which the majority oil the
next House is most likely TO split.
1t would seem incredible If the proofs
were not overwhelming that with all
the evils this species Of legislation has
brought there is strong sentiment IN
many parts Of the country, not only Tor
its continuation but for its indefinite
extension. The demand for Govern
ment control and Government owner
shin of private properties is alarming.
dangerous aS they are, the perma-
nency of our institutions will never be
affected by frauds in elections or cor
ruption In administration, but 80 sure
As Congress. in obedience To this clamor
departs from the great principles oI
Democratic government aud enters up
ou a system OF experimental class ANA
maternal legislation. the stability Of our
institutions will be put TO a most
severe test. Why is II that
large portion of our people have
become infatuated with the Idea
that Capitalization is panacea for all
our ills? why doesn't Congress 90
something for the immediate RELIEF OF
the peope?" is the cry from every see
tion. why doesn't Congress wipe out
the unjust class measures upon our
statutes and give the people chance
IN do something for themselyes?' j. sell
dom asked.
Congress can enable one class 70 plum
der and rob another. II has enabled
large class Of non-producers to rob those
engaged in direct production, but II
can't empower those engaged in direct
production - the agriculturalists and
wage-wOrkers-tO rob another ciass'
They produce all the wealth ana the
nroducers can never rob the non-pro-
ducers. for the simple reason that they
produce nothing to be robbed OF. Inc
only relief, therefore, for the producing
classes Is to relieve them from the ex-
tortions and expressions Of the non-pro-
ducers. Congress Is powerless TO create
a single penny Of wealth, although the
idea seems 70 prevail that 1t Is a sort oi
Aladdin lamp and that all that Is nee,
essary for the creation Of unlimited
wealth for everybody il for 1t to legis-
late. ..ta,,
The abuse Of the power Of taxation
under the seductive pretense oi PRO
lection to American Labor was well
calculated to deceive for time the peo-
ple but who were so credulous as 70 sup
nose that any great number would ever
indorse the policy Of opening the vaults