Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1856-11-13
"The Last, the Very Last. "

Some two or three years since, afte
the determination of county election
in favor of the Republicans the Kenosh;
Democrat predicted that "the last,t
very last of the Republican party" haC
been seen and heard of in this section
of the country. There has been no cleo
ton since that time in this county a
which the Republican party has not in
creased its majority, and in the recen
election has doubled it. The histor,
of the party in this county has been it,
history over the whole north, excep
that elsewhere, generally, its increase
has been more decisive and rapid. AnC
the same predictions made in the Keno
sha Democrat with reference to the par
ty in this section of country, are indulg
ed in by similar journals elsewhere; anc
particularly since this late Presidential
election, the Democratic papers seen
almost unanimous in opinion that 18th,
last, the very last has been seen an(
heard Of the Republican party" thai
ever will be seen or heard of it.
These prophets take very shallow
view of the philosophy of parties Par
ties are not built up by the hands or tn,
cunning wiles of politicians, to be de
stroyed by the first frost of adversely
which touches them. They originate
In certain causes, and will continue a.
long as the causes continue which bro't
them into being. In 1852 what was
then the Republican party, polled most
meagre vote in the Northern states o:
the Union, not coming within gun shot
of carrying a single one of those States.
Had it been possible for Frank Pierce
to adhere to the policy declared
in the platform on which he wa
elected, and announced in hi,
first inaugural, that of no more agitation
OF the slavery question-it is not likely
the Republican party would ever have
been any stronger than it was then-nc
cause or necessity for it would have ex
listed, and consequently it would no,
have existed. But it was not possibl,
for Pierce to pursue that policy. TIL,
power that nominated and elected him
was the Slavery power of the country
and II was no more possible for him t.
bp quiet on tho s"l,jnrt of slavery, ther,
II was for Slavery itself to be quiet witt
reference to itself The repeal of til,
Missouri Compromise and the efforts tc
spread slavery, were as inevitably thc
fruits Of Picrce's success, as thistles arc
the fruits OF thistle seed.
That the Republican party then sho'd
grow and increase in power, was Just as
inevitable as that Pierce as the repre-
sentative ofthe slave power, should seek
TO strengthen and magnify that power.
And the remarkable increase and growth
of the Republican party, from the few
weak and despised voters of 1852, TO a
party carrying almost the whole north
and almost annihilating the boosted de-
mocracy in that north, is simply signif-
cant of the remarkable and shameless
aggressions of the slave power. One
has but kept pace with the other
Now the late election exhibits a vote
throughout the whole north unparalleled
IN numbers, rhaniicsting clearly that but
very few voters absented themselves
from the polls. And in this section of
the country this enormous vote was
poiIed i'll the teeth of one of the most
mclement storms, and on one of the
most disagreeable days, that an election
could well happen. This is evidence
that the people were stirred as they
were never before stirred, that they felt
as they never before felt, and that thew
appreciated as they never before did,
the character and merits of the pending
strife. On this occasion was evidenced
the spirit, the inspiration, and in short
the creating power of the Republican
party.
Now what can annihilate that party?
Can few votes short of majority at
an election do it? That in. Southern IL
hnois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New
Jersey, the voters failed to appreciate
the issue as it was elsewhere apprecia-
ted, and gave those states to the slave
power, is that to do it? Why it is
against Just such results it is fighting,
and the fact that there is n strong and
at present a dominant slave power, is
what it depends on for its life and vital
ity. II was never so far from annihila-
ton rs now; and hut one thing can ever
destroy it, and chat is success. When
its mission is accomplished it will be at
an end, and not till then.
Its future growth will depend in a
great measure on the character of this
new administration. If the timid hopes
Of the northern doughiaces who elected
Buchanan should be realized. and his
administration should not be pro-sla
very administration, there will be less
necessity for the existence and activity
of the party of freedom. Ii Freedom
can accomplish its mission as well thro'
Buchanan and his party as through any
other party, ii will not hesitate to do it.
But these timid hopes will not and can
not be realized. Buchanan's admins
tration must and will be more a pro-sla-