Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-11-26
CONSOLATION FOR TaE EEPUBLI
CANS.


political complexion Of the government,
in response to the efforts OF Republican
editors, county chairmen aud RepubIi-
can politicians generally to explain it
ALL The sun offers these words Of con-
ISOLATION to the mourners:
For the first time since Abraham Lin
coin was inaUgurated as President on the
4th Of March, 1851, the Republican party
will retire from the control Of the Federal
Government when Mr. Cleveland is inaug
urated on March 4, 1898. This has been a
period of thirty-twO years. During that
time, 10 is true, the Democrats have sue
ceeded ia gaining the mastery Of the House
of Representatives, and twice they have
elected the President-Tilden in 1876 and
Cleveland 10 1851; but the Republicans
have held the Senate and have been able TO
Cbeckmate the Democrats when the latter
were dominant in the other branches OF the
government. Now the Republicans have
lost all the Presidency, the Senate and the
House Of Representatives.
Thus the Republicans viii be hereafter
aud for many years hereafter PROBABLY, the
party Of the opposition. They will be no
longer the party Of execution, but the party
OF criticism. A fter holding the control for
about a generation they had grown to feel,
not unnaturally, that the Federal Govern
mCUt belonged 90 them as q sort Of divine
right aud that they alone were competent
TO conduct it. The great majority OF the
people Ofthe Union are of different mind
They feel themselves entirely capable of
managing the business, and as the Republi-
can methods of government have made
them Democrats, they propose to run il az
10 M "a Hpuna
with Democratic principles.
THAT, in substance" says the sun,
sis the cause Of the Republican disaster
on the sth OF this month, and, hunt and
analyze as much as they may, our aflct-
ed Republican friends can find no other.
The American people are tired Of Re-
publicanism. Itadds:
The consolation we offer to the vauquish-
ei party is that after the 4th OF next March
+, Will have on opportunity 10 take rest
FROM the cares OF government which il has
borne 50 long. III can stand of and watch
how the Democratic party bears the strain
IL can exercise the functions of opposition
criticism. We have been in that position
ourselves for a good many years, and we
friends that it has many enjoyable
conpens0tious. We cannot offer
them the hope that the Democratic
party. viii furnish them grounds
for opposition Is stimulating 20 every nos
tile energy cs those which have been furn-
isEcd 10 US by tbe Republicans; for their
own party mas attacked aad violated every
principal Of popular government most dear
90 US because most essential for the preSer-
walton of our democratic institutions.
These principals viii be restored 70 their
proper and dominant place, and IS they are
unassailabie before the people, their resto-
ration will afford no opportunity for effec-
tive Republican opposition. The assault on
them in the past has been covert and subtle
The people were slow in awakening 20
conception Of it's mOmentOuS consequences,
but now their eyes are open 10 Jhein.Quity.
Hereafter the attack must oe made III the
full light Of day.
In the usual progress and the routine of
legislation, the Republicans, however, will
find opportunities 10 exercise the functions
OF an opposition party which will keep their
wits from rustiug Not having any reSpOn-
sibility themselves. they will seek 70 harass
the Democrats In the execution Of the trust
committed 20 them 0y the people. Let
them 30 this 70 their souls content. So long
as the Republicans remain the party OF the
opposition we have no fault 10 find Nor
are we distressed for the Democratic party
because OF such an opposition, alert and
skilltul though it be. IRe heavier the load
Of responsibility the Democracy has TO
carry, and the more critical and viEilapr its
political opponents, the better il viii be
for the party. Its moral muscle vii be
strengthened