The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-14

DETROIT, July ls.-Presldent D. D.
lwoodmansee. of the National Repubil-
can League. in opening the convention
to-day, said in parts
Speaking as do for those who during
the last year have had charge OF the
affairs OF the League, can say that we
are proud OF what has been accomplish
ed during the closing administration. /
am able to report that the debts OF the
league, which have 50 long been a men-
ace 70 It's development and dlscour-
agement to its friends, have been paid.
can further say that every obligation
that has been incurred during the last
year has been provided for, and the
officers whom you may seIecs at this
convention will not be required to d.
vide their time between the wants OF
the organization and the demands of
Its creditors.
AS part OF our deliberations at this
convention, would suggest the pro-
priety OF discussing the proposition as
10 whether Il would not be wise TO es-
tablish a fixed day OF the year upon
which to hold our national conventions.
would also advise that this convention
recommend TO the various state leagues
that the state conventions OF all the
leagues throughout the union be held
upon the same day. Being thus held,
that day would present the league
prominently before the people OF the
country in every state, and such con-
cert OF action would bring the various
state organizations In closer touch with
each other They would seem to have a
common purpose. By having the entire
army in the field upon one particular
day would very clearly show our con-
tlnued development In power and In In
fiuence. / would suggest as the day for
this extraordinary event-the birthday
OF the father OF the Republican party
Abraham Lincoln.
LEAGUE aRowING.-1 am Justified
IN saying that the league Is growing.
In number Of states few years ago
our party leaders looked upon It with
saspIcIou. Now they recognize It's use
fulness and gladly encourage and sup
port II. We have a number OF dlstln-
crushed statesmen who have hardly
realized the fact that there exists in
this country the National Republican
League. They have unsatished ambl-
lions and are somewhat disappointed
at the slow progress they have made in
national politlcs My advice to them Is
10 get In line and not overlook the
league men IN this country, who, With
comradeshlp OF two and one-half mill
ion members, have no axes 20 grind, but
naturally think more OF their friends
than they do OF their enemies. OF the
large number OF distinguished Repub-
Leans who have been friends OF the
league. there Is one who stands out con-
spicuous among all the rest. That man
Is William Mckinley. AS an organiZa-
tIon the league cannot assist any cam
dldate for Office, until nominations are
Only made, but as individuals. its mem
bers naturally remember their friends.
Az a consequence, William Mckinley
to-day is President OF the United
States.
HAT M'KINLEY HAS DoNE.-The
question Is often asked by our political
adyersaries, what has President Nc
Riniey done?" We answer that he has
unturled the stars and stripes upon the
island OF Hawaii. By that act he viii
reclaim our country's territory and our
nations honor. He has gone into the
Southland, and taught the gospel OF
enduring peace and Christian fellow
shin. He has rebuked the pessimlst,
and IN the place Of his discordant wall
OF despair. has proclaimed the Joyous
message OF brighter days and better
times He has made Il possible to pass
a Republican tariff law when his party
was in the minority, which, Indeed. Is
an. accomplishment almost unknown In
American politics. He has done even
more. He has taught our people that
our President Is one OF US, and for us
That there should be no insurmountable
wall between our chief ruler and his
subjects. and Il may be said that each
oaiclal act OF our new President brings
MIN An closer touch with the American
: ,,aonln. who have learned 10 admire and
love him.
The contest OF 1897 is already upon US.
In various states the conventions OF
both parties have assembled, nomina-
ted their candidates, adopted their plat
forms. and the people are again asked
10 ,ive voice to their preferences. The
Democratic party ndheres to the Chica-
10 platform. II has learned nothing, it
SorRetg nothing. The platform is as
mad n fosslble, as the party which
adopted II. II does not appeal to the
natriotisrn OF the American people. a
democrat Is never 80 happy as when he
thinks he Is miserable. Never so ex-
huberant as when recounting the mis-
fortunes OF others. The Republican
marty reafiirms the 81. Louis platform,
wherein Il declared for honest money. n
protective tariff and reciprocity. The
oid issues are again before US. Demo-
crats hope TO win because OF difference
among Republicans. Because, as they
say, prosperity has not yet arrived, and
believe that our countrymen nre I'm
pressed with the fact that better times
are upon Us, and that In due season, the
prophecies OF Republican leaders VIII
be realized.
WILL NOT 90 BAcKwARD.-The
Republican party will take no backward
steps as to civil service reform. II hos
repeatedly declared in favor OF II. But
Il IL opposed to that civil service re-
form which would thrust upon Tho pco-
pie OF this country without n fnlr COM
petltlve test n colony Of incompetent
Democratic ofiice-holders. The mere
fact that a man who fllls an office Ia a
Democrat Ia primn fnclc evidence OF tho
other fnct that an Investigation ought
10 be made az 10 his ability TO MI II.
Our party. true 10 lts promises, will
present 10 the people the Dingley tariff
law; a law that will take the place upon
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