The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-26


party prejudices and predictions, inbibcd
in old political connections, win continue 20
operate still. That the Independents demo-
Gratis, the progressive wings and free sellers,
will insist upon preserving their separate
identity, and, instead OF heartfelt union.
there will be no concert Of action that
each will have its separate interests to fos.
ter-interests entirely incompatible with
the other-that in the clashing Of those sep
arate interests, striio will DO engendered
and that the end will DO dissolyine of the
alliance, and separation into hostile fac.
tons. That the people, wearied aud dis
tracted by conflicting views, will return and
enlist under old party leaders. -
Now, what is there to justify such an as
sumption' For years the whole mass oe
the people have in sentiment been united
upon all questions Of public policy. They
have desired the same things. They have
been kept from concert ofaction only by the
Efforts Of designing men, whose private in
terests could only be subserved by keeping
the people apart. This partition wall is now
broken down-ofdce seeking has now gone
into disrepute-oid prejudices are fast d ing
out, and a sense Of danger to the welfare Of
the country and free institutions, is calling
them everywhere to unite for the common
safety. To this call they will respond, they
will come up from old parties to protect the
rights Of humanity and administer correc-
ton to the fragrant abuse Of power they
will stand together; and the Republican
party will be the predominant party Of the
country till the great principles to which it
is committed shall be the fixed policy of the
country.n
The. correction Of the necessity for some
new organization which should more faith.
fully represent the feeling, and sentiments
OF the people, and vitalize their action, has
been gradually, as the Progressive Age says,
forcing itself upon the public mind. As
questions relating to pecuuiary matters were
adjusted, are after another. the desire for at.
tanning higher ground upon which parties
should stand has increased. In the new
movement we recognize the discardiug of
the old dogma, that politics and morals should
not be associates. Heretofore the voter was
not allowed to ask il the candidate was
moral and an otherwise qualified man. Was
he nominated by the party' This question,
answered in the affirmation, was the knock
down argument which governed tho vote
Wo be to the impudent man who dared to
make tho appeal from the dictate of the con.
vention. to the conscience given him by the
living God. So, also, in matters Of legisla.
ton. The pulpit might reSuke sin In gen.
eral terms, and the citizen might follow its
example, and speak Of evils in bulk, but
neither minister or lcgialator was allowed to
suggest the idea that the great existing evils
were to be met and overcome by appropriate
legislation. 1t would ruin the party !"
this was the cry-to bring into it these dis.
tracing and perplexing questions. The votes
OF the Rumsellers, Gamblers, and deprayed
ofall sorts were in danger Of being lost, to
one or the other party, as the clse might
be, should such aSitating questions as tenn
pcrance and freedom, be allowed to come in,
and be urged as legitimate subjects of legis.
lation. Bad men in consequence Of this state
OF public sentiments. were set up for candi.
dates for Office, and the standards of intel
lectual and moral qualification for Office was
gradually lessened by those who acted as the
managers and engineers Of party. The very
deyotedness to party which existed, was the
cause of the formation Of cliques, which par.
ccllcd out among each other the offices, and
tattoocd all who did not get into, he charmed
circle.
IL is the tyranny of thi, spirit of party
despotism, the dOmineering insolenco Of
cliques and the ignoring of morality as an
element in politics which has caused the
people to rise up in Judgment against the old
parties, and scatter them as chaff before
them. The new party has coherent mate
rails, recognizes the rule Of equal privileges
to all, demands attachment TO the cardinal
principles Of morality, seeks to carry out
these principles in legislation, and 30 long as
it bases its action upon right and conscience
it will be enduring. Itcannot DO otherwise.
There are moral as we'll as physical laws Of
attraction. These moral laws will keep its
component parts together, firm and COM
pacted, and form an fundamentally, in
the State, for higher and higher public
morality, as we'll as the means for the attain.
ment of greater public prosperity, 1t has
not been simply the aggrcssions Of a sectional
and dominecring Oligarchical class trampling
on personal rights and violating constitution
al and legal obligations in matters of nation.
al concern, - CT the indifference aud con.
tumly which has characterized party action
upon matters or subjects connected with
public morals; or the despicable losrolling
and low tricks Of partiZan leaders, which
has, rs single matters led to the new move
ment. All these have combined, acting to.
gether tremendously, each contributing to
the grca; result, which is the installmeni Of
party inaugurated at once by natural causes
into the affections Of the people, fully organ
lied, having within itself the element, ofpcr-
pe'urity, and possessing capabilities for the
attainment Of successes imore brilliant in
character. ind moro beneficial in influence
than any party which has ever obtained in