The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-07-03

Why do men act with one party rather
than with another? Ordinarily because
they were born In certain party and
I not in another. AS q rule men inherit
their politics as they do their religion.
To most men party utilization comes as
church utilization comeG-as an inheri-
lance rather than as n conviction.
Under ordinary circumstances perhaps
: this makes no great difference.
There are times. however, when vital
{ questions are at issue, and then It be-
hooves thoughtful men 10 consider
whether they are In the right party or In
the wrong. Such time came when the
existence Of the Union was at stake. 1t
happened that the Republican party
+ stood for the right side OF that great
question. and naturally men OF all other
parties whose convictions were on the
same side Joined with that party and
made 1t possible for |. to carry the war
to triumphant finish.
1.-The question OF finance Is not n ques-
z ton OF war, and yet to-day the country
is confronted with q great financial is
i sue. The question Is whether VIC shall
4 have an honest dollar or n dishonest
dollar: whether the honor OF the country
shall be maintained or whether It shall
be sullied. II there be Republicans who
believe In the financial nercsy which
: eminates from the sage brush Of Colo
RADIO and Nevada and Montana, they
will probably vote with that party
I which represents their sentiments.
What will sound money Democrats do
In this case? By the time their party
+ has made Its platform. they will find no
sound money in It. for 1t will be made by
men who want the cheapest dollar they
! can get. Beyond question there are
I, Democrats, who will vote to maintain
the soundncss OF the currency. These
4 men will be logical. Their party has
left them on this vital question. and
they are under no. sort OF party obliga-
& ton to follow 1t In It's wanderings.
There are other Democrats who wish
{ the free silver forces defeated, but thus
9 far are not prepared to do all they can to
bring about defeat. These are the
Democrats who are saying to-day that
they will not vote the Democratic ticket
because that doesn't represent what
they want, and they will no, vote the
NRepubllcan ticket because they don't
SJike that party; that is TO say, they have
Dot agreed with the Republican party
When they were agreeing with their own
: p,Srty. Now that they disagree with
th& own party. they are not quite pre-
4 parefl to forget all the past and begin to
like he Republican party.
Suehta Democrat wishes 10 be saved
4 from the fanatlc'foIly OF the party with
7. which he has been associated and cx-
poets other men TO do his saving for
him. The more he thinks this over, the
more he will see that II the rest OF the
4 people were like himself. any set OF hair
X Drained fellows who could get control of
\ HIS party might plunge the country
{ headlong into destruction.
a The Democrat who has been telling
Z, himself that he will not vote the Demo-
4 cratic ticket because the Democratic
z party is wrong on the money question,
and will not vote the Republican ticket
(: although the Republican party Is right
: on the money question, should go into
j executive session with himself and see
i whether lie cannot think himself out on
4 a line OF better citizenship.