Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-03-13
For hs Chronicle.
Duty of Republicans.

/ Va AsSR.b<iS"hS'
Mr.. Eprros:--A mother feature in the Re.
publican movement heretofore has been a
want Of sufficient courage. It requires
much more courage to Withstand temptation
and to act from principle on all occasions,
than to meet an army upon the field of bat
tie. 1t NAV be that the Republicans have
as much courage as any other party :hat
has ever existed in this country, but then
no party that has ever existed Qf we ex-
cept perhaps the old Federal party) was
ever placed under the necessity of display
ing it in such greu. degree as the Re-
publican Party.
By this courage I mean not that head
long impetuosty which is called fanaticism,
but that firm, reliable devotion to the right
and the just, that stern and impartial re-
lance upon the righteousness oi cause
which never swerves to the right or left,
for any eniicement Of immediate profit, or
allurement of personal aggrandzement.-
And such courage the Republican Party
has been called upon 10 exhibit.
Opposition, Detraction, the vilest epithets
that opprobrium could express or malice
invent: these have not been the severest
trials to which our party has been expos
sed. 1t is the Establishment of pretended
friends that we are to ,fear, the honeyed
concentrations of fair weather politicians,
that we are to suspect, and the brilliant
seductions of power and place that we are
to apprehend.
While deiraction and persecution, on the
one hand tend to drive men to q course oe
action, and to fix them more unalterably in
it, on the other, the general effect of the
opposite courf is to seduce them from the
direct paths of strict rectitude aid uncom-
promising honesty
But to thus resist blandshment as we'll
as detraction, to be truly brave and con-
sistent In course of action, will give a
party, more force, more inuste strength ann
power, than q dozen splendid victories, or
the triumphant election OF twenty success
ful candidates, for popular favor. And just
here is where fear our friends too often
falter. They do not with sufficient boldness
avow and maintain tenable position.-
When Southernmen comes to conclusion
upon question, he distinctly avows it, and
when once the whole body have commit
ted themselves to q course of action they
stand up to it, and no prospects IF party
supremacy or political preferment can in
duce them to abandon it. The popular
will should be skillfully guided not blindly
followed, by him who would, aspire to be
n true statesman and the leaders of the Re-
publican Party would do well.to bear it in
mind. By controlling, do not mean how
ever that mischievious practice, which some-
times goes by the name of manufacturing
Public Opinion. This pernicious thing is
indeed quite dilferentj both in its effects
and operations from the simple guidance
of the will OF the majority.
A triumph of excitement upon slight
and insufficient grounds is always dangerous
to republics, and one of the readiest means
of the factious denagogue. But the en-
lightened views Of profound thinkers, upon
important subjects, which is always brought
down to the comprehension and feelings of
tho mass of mankind by full and free agi.
tation is altogether allowable and full Of
benefit. Too well, indeed do those who
would oppose reform know why they de-.
precate Agitation. The cause that will no..
bear the scrutiny, of agitation, must be
poor indeed. Let US never appear to our
opponents, fearful, Of bringing our cause to
the light. Youra, L. T.