The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-15
What Night he.

4.
Some Of our Democratic contempor.
aries in various parts OF the country are
seriously proposing General Filzhugh
Lee for President in 1900. The Demo-
cratic party would honor itself by the
nomination OF General Lee, were the
thing possible, for It would mean great
deal more than the mere honorlng OF a
man who has distinguished himself as a
patriot, a clear-headcd diplomat, cour-
ageous, self-sacrincing citizen and one
who has proven HIMSELF the possessor OF
rare ability. In whnse hands the welfare
OF the country would be safe. But It Is
not possible.
It Is interesting to reflect what might
BIO the result were a presidential election
to be held next fall, instead OF two years
later. In the present state OF public
opinion, and at a time when the whole
country is stirred with n wave OF patrl.
Otto fcrvor, such us has not been wit
messed before In the recent generation;
when party questions have for the mo-
ment been laid aside. and every citizen
has but one thought affecting the vital
interest OF the republic; when the na-
tional spirit overshadows all else, II Is
possible That. II conventions were 10 be
held within few weeks to nominate
presidential Candidates, the Democracy
would turn 10 the suggestion or General
Lees name with an enthusiasm that
would overwhelm all opposition that
might develop within the party. With
equal unanimity the Republican party
would accord to President Mckinley a
This might insure contest void OF
party bitterness, each party vieing with
the other 10 see It's favurlte honored,
ana each, or course, prepared with patrl-
Otto intention to accept loyalty the sue
cess OF either. Whatever the politicians
might rule. the popular enthusiasm
would dictate only the course OF sustain
tngithe administration In a time OF a
crisis with foreign power. and. under
circumstances wherein the two opposing
candidates would not De divided as to
policy. having been, by the very nature
OF things, IN perfect accord, the matter
would resolve Itself into one OF personal
choice among the voters. 1t would be
presidential campaign almost without
prejudice, to say nothing OF Its being
without precedent.
This Is, OF course. but interesting spec
ulation and nothing more. Could such
thing be the wholesome eject on the
country would be immeasurable. But.
1t would nave another effect, which
would be realized some time later. 1t
would save the Democratic party from
itself. The heresies that have crept into
the party platform would be subserv!ent
to the other feeling. General Lees pop
ularity, and the wave OF enthusiasm ere
ated by him in convention would over
whelm all attempts to make paramount
those heresies, for General Lees person.
atty and the services he Is performing
for the country would surmount every
thing else.
On purely national party questions, or
the question. rather, which the Democ-
racy so-called, has declared Is para
mount, General Lee Is not in accord with
the party, though Democrat. On the
question OF the currency he is a. gold
standard man. He is opposed 20 free
silver. This Is why It Is that only at such
time as we mention would he be apt
to receive the nomination. We believe