The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-13
THE INTELLIGENCER.
wHEELINo, NOVEMBER 10, 1907.
The Fight Against Hanna.

The Fight Against Hanna.
The talk in the papers about move
rnent'among Republican members of the
Ohio legislature to defeat MT. Hanna,
and an intention to combine with Demo-
cratic!members 10 defeat him, is largely
based upon gossip which has little foun-
dalton. 1t is true that some OF the mem
bers-elect have been opposed to Mr.
Hanna; that they will make any combl-
nation with the Democracy no one will
believe until 1t is done.
The Republicans of the country and Of
Ohio regard Mr. Hanna as the logical
nominee of the legislature for United
States senate. He made the campaign
and devoted himself to the work of car
rying the state in year when Ohio was
likely to follow precedent she estab-
iIshed thirty years ago. and continued up
10 that time with but a single break--a
precedent of voting against the party IN
power the year following presidential
election.
Mr.. Hanna went into the fight under
these circumstances as the acknowledged
candidate OF the party. He faced the
organization Of the Democratic party
which. by the character of its campaign
singled him out as the especial issue and
object of attack, He withstood the vllest
personal campaign that was ever made
against any candidate in any state, and
overcame the assaults of the slanderer,
the forger and every other sort of poliu-
cal assassin. No other man would have
undertaken what he did, few there are
who could have accomplished what he
accomplished in the face of such extra
ordinary circumstances. Any movement
such as that which is being intimated,
mainly in the Democratic press, which Is
kindly trying to settle all party questions
that arise among Republicans, would be
bad politics and senseiess.
The Independent Washington Post,
which has a consistent record for being
one OF the fairest newspapers In politics
in the country, takes this view of the
matterin one otthe most logical articles
that has yet appeared on the Ohio situa-
ton. The Post believes in what It calls
'stalwart politics" It believes, 1t says,
that men who lead fights, who assume
the labor and responsibilities of the cam
paigns. who give their energies and eff
forts TO the party cause, are the men who
should receive the rewards OF victory.
For the llly-handed cavilers and critics
who look at public affairs through the
plate-glass windows OF aristocratic
clubs, and who have for the real workers
nothing but disparagement It entertains
no respect whatever. They are the Phar-
isees Of politics. Our Washington con-
temporary puts the issue involved In the
alleged movement against Hanna in the
strongest possible light in the following
language:
Mr.. Hanna Is the choice OF his party.
NIne-tenths Of tho Republican voters OF
Ohio declared themselves In his favor
through the local conventions. He began
the campaign as the practically unRnl-
nous candidate Of tho party for United
OF all save disgruntled and sore-headed
few. Upon what theory of justice or pro-
priety or even common sense can his
claims now be set aside? Parties are
ruled as are the republics. by the will OF
the majority. Parties are held together
by organization and by discipline To de-
stroy the organization and TO repudate
discipline will be to anlhllate the ma
chinery OF free government and to pave
the way for anarchy The men who re-
Blst and seek 10 Illustrate the properly
expressed preference OF the party are
nothing less than traitors and incendl-
But II the proposed action Of these few
dscontented and omblttered Republicans
he open to condemnation, what are we to
think OF the Democrats who aro said to
be anxious to cooperate with them In de-
foating Mr.. HANNAH What business have
they with the domestic affairs Of the Re.
publican organization. and whero is their
regard for Democratic dignity in this pro.
iected meddllng with matters that do not
concern them? The duty OF the Demo.
Gratis In the Ohio legislature IS to go into
their party caucus and vote for the eau
Gus nominee. They have nothing TO do
with the Republican caucus or Ms rebels
and desertera, They can only lower the
tone OF the Democratic party. and demon.
hllze its organization by such unworthy
and unbeComlng nonsense.
We should have ana express the gamr
opinion were tho conditions reversed and
wore the choice Of nlnc-tpnthR OF the Ohio
Democrats about TO be defeated by DEM
ocrntlc intrigue and trCachery. We rex tho
Democrats 10 consider the matteri from
that point OF view, F'
This II q Republican question with which
Democrats have no proper concern, md
ha Republican affair n can have but ono
honorable concluSlon-tho election Of Mr.
Hanna to tho senate.
This sensible and fair view Of the mat
ter Is not from a Republican organ, but
is the uttornnce OF conservative nde-
pendent paper, which stands high in the
respect Of the public os ouch. II puts
the whole situation in lie proper light.
and az tho vast majority Of the people Of
Ohio view H. Consplring Republicans
who would defeat the viii Of the maJorl.
" NJ the party M expressed at the polls
ana consplrlng Democratic who intrigue
20 defeat the verdict OF tho majority Of
the people ne expressed at the polls. do
not represent the principle Of majority
rule which both parties proudly proclaim
and which Ia one " the safe. guard, u
The republic.