Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-03
Mr.. Mills Views.

Mr.. Mills Views.
You asked me to give my views as to
the course that should be pursued by
the Democratic party in the next House
of Representatives, and in compliance
with your request l submit the follow
ing:
In my Judgment, the best thing that
Democratic Representatives can do in
the next House and at all other times is
% speak and act i'm strict accord with
the principles Of the great founder Of
that party has always been strongest
aud retained the strongest hold on the
confidence Of the country when il was
strictly Democratic. 1t has always
been weakest when by time-Serving
politicians il has been led off after poll
teal hereSieS. The country sustained
the Democratic party when it was Dem
ocratic because il enjoyed the highest
prosperity under laws enacted and ad-
miniStered In accordance with its
principles, and it has been ready
at all times, and is now ready,
TO give its support 10 all measures, which
are i'm harmony with those principles.
From the beginning Of the Govern
meut there have been two opposing par
ties in the country advocating opposing
policies for National, State and local
governments. One has been through
out its history the supporter of paternal
government, the other OF Self-goyern-
ment. One believes that people are in
capable Of governing themselves, and
that the Government, being wiser than
the people, must necessarily assume to-
wards them the relation that the parent
sustains to his infant children. The
other believes that people are capable OF
creating and administering government
and that they will be better governed
when they govern themselves than when
they are governed by others. The creed
of the Democrat, therefore, is Self-gov-
eminent of the subordinate locality
county, city or town-seli-government OF
the State and Self-govcrnment OF the
nited States. The administration OF
government Democrat holds 1.-THE will
OF the majority is in all cases TO pre-
vail" But that ''wll TO be rightiul
must be reasonable" He holds that
the minority possess their equal rights
which equal laws must protect and To
violate which would be oppression. y
He demands equal and exact justice To
all men OF whatever State or perSua-
sion. religious or political; peace, com
merce and honest friendship with all
nationS-entanglin alliances with none;
the support of the State governments In
all their rights as the most COM
petent administrations for our do
nestle concerns and the SureSt
bulwarkS against anti-Republican ten
denotes: the preservation Of the gen
eral government in its whole conStltu-
tional yigor rs the sheet anchor OF our
peace ut home and our safety abroad,
economy in the public expenses" hon
est payment Of our debt, sacred pres
eryation Of the public faith" freedom
OF religion" freedom of the press,
freedom of the person and trial by COM
petent iuries." These" in the Ian
ruage of the great father Of American
democracy. form the bright conStella-
tion which has gone before MS anu
guided our steps through an age OF rev
olution. The wisdom Of our sageS and
/ the blood OF our heroes have been de-
voted 10 their attainment. They should
he the creed of our political faith-the
text of civil inStructiOn-the touch
stone by which to try the services oil
those we trust
Each one Of the agencies which is IN
vested with any part OF the governing
power has its boundaries prescribed by
the sovereign law, and the security OF
the people i'm the enjoyment OF thelI
natural rights demands that each shall
he confined strictly within its limits
and under no pretenSe should one be
permitted TO encrOach upon the juriS-
ELECTION of the others. In all matters ei
ldoubt the constitutions and laws OF Ma
Ition and State should be construed in
favor of the liberty Of the citizens and
against the surrender OF power TO th'
government. Every Democrat, II he Is
Ione from conviction, believes that th'
Icountry will attain its highest pros
neritv and the people their highest hap
nineSs when there is the largest pos
Sible liberty OF thought and actor
and the smallest possible inter
ference by Government which Is
consistent with the preservation OF ordel
i'm the State. Guided by these primer
niles. a Democrat will always oppose al
/ Federal legislation which proposes u
lusurp power rightfully belonging Il
State and local Jurisdictions and al
State and local interference with th'
Iindividual right OF the citizen. Th'
Federal party in its day held and tn
Republican party now holds precisel.
the oonosite of these views. The Re
nublican does not believe the peopl'
Icapable OF self-government. lie woul'
nrobablv not say that in so many word
but his party measures are IN aecor'
with that faith. He believes that IN
Icanacity 10 govern belongs TO class
md while the masses have the bailo
they may be governed in the interest
of classes by discipline. The Republl
can believes in the divinity o
newer. and that it is creates
and best in proportion as II
concentrated. The Democrats OelieV
in the divinity of liberty, and that |
businesses its greatest blessings where
i most recognized and supported.
Republican believes in special priv
.leges. Democrat in equal rights. IN
Republican party has had the admins
tration for twenty-four of the last thlrt
vears. Ii has thoroughly engraited IL
nolicies upon the statute books. IN
democratic party has never IN lhat tIW
been able to substitute any OF ITS meas
ures for those Of its adversary. For
number Of years it has been one Hons
and for two years both Houses, but
mo- time has it had both Houses and IN
President. aud without the three 1t coul
not pass a law.
Next year we will again have Ia
House If Representatives, while III
psnnhlicaps will have the Senate an
president. Without all three no IL
publican measure can be repeated al