The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-11-11
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND ITS
PERILS.

In political as we'll as social life, hberallty
Of sentiment and cvility of speech are virtues
not to be neglected. The spirit of Party shoulc
never prevent the cordial recognition of what
soever is praiseworthy or honorable in politi
cal opponent but, if the differences between
us be still fundamental, our generosity oughi
to be guarded-it becomes important, while
yielding him due honor, to keep distinctly II
view what we regard as wrong in his principles
and his position, lest our indiscriminatine
praise invest him with an influence, that may
be used against the Truth we deem vital.
This considerate policy was not always OBJ
served by Republican journals or Republican
Washington correspondents during the last
session of Congress. 1t is clearly understood
that the chief instrument by which the Pro-Sla-
very scheme of the Administration in relation
to Kansas was defeated was the Republican
Party. Gladly did it avail itself of the services
of such men as Senators Douglas, Bell, and
Crittenden, Representatives Harris, Marshall
and Winter Davis-but where would these gen
tlemen have stood, what would have been their
action, had not the Republican organization
confronted the Administration in solid pha
lanx? And, yet, from day TO day the busy
Telegraph electrified the North with thrilling
accounts of their words and deeds, as if they
were the great champions of Truth and Right /;
and Republican journals followed up with I'M
guarded editorials, ascribing to them sympa-
thy with the cause of Freedom, af6nities with
Republican Principles they never professed.
The tendency of this injudicious course was to
depreciate the Republican Party, and to sug-
gest ideas of an underlined Opposition, without
any declared opinions on the Slavery Issue, un-
der the leadership of the new heroes.
Our readers will acqqit US of any error in
this respect The position of Mr.. Douglas on
the Lecompton Question was one which his
consistency, his selfrespect, and tho law' of
selfpreservaton, required him to take. He had
abrogated the Missousi Compromise for the
purpose, he declared, of securing to the People
Of all the Territories of the Union the fight to
govern themselves, to determine their own in.
situations, to exclude or establish Slavery; and
he had reconciled the majority of his friends in
Illinois to the measure, by urging upon them
this consideration, and showing how4it would
operate in favor Of free institutions. But,
the People of the United States had seen this
Principle of SelfGovernment trampled upon in
Kansas the Lecompton Constitution framed
in contempt of the will of the great majority of
the inhabitants; and the Administration public
ly pledged by all the means at its command to
secure its recognition by Congress Had Mr..
Douglas, in such crisis, sustained this policy,
he would have proved himselfto be without con-
sistency, without selfrespect, traitor to him
self and to his constituents, and fool-fOr he
never could have been returned as Senator
from tho State of Illinois.
Now, Mr.. Douglas, like other Public men,
would prefer to maintain consistency, for there
is strength in it; selfrespect for there is pleas
ure in it good faith, for there is honor in it ;
but he is not singular in this respect. Such a
preference does not deserve special laudation-
does not constitute a patent to nobility. In
his position on the Lecompton Question, he did
no more than simple honesty required at his
hands-and in doing this, he best consulted his
own interests as a political man. We do not
blame any man for taking care of his own in
terests in legitimate way-but, he is not a
hero because he does so. Do we signalize a
man as worthy of place in the Calendar be-
cause he practices sobriety, takes exercise, and
keeps his bowels open, for the sake of his
health?
Mr.. Douglas, having taken the position which
consistency pride, good faith, and self preserva-
ton, required, maintained it with frmness,
boldness, aud ability.
All this We concede freely and cordially. But,
does this give him any claim upon that body OF
voters who are organized for the purpose Of
taking the Federal Government out of the
hands of the Slave Power, and making it an
agent within the sphere of its own jurisdiction
for the establishment of Liberty? He is not
with them, but against them He does not rec.
ogmse the necessity of any such reformation
lie regards Slavery and Freedom with equal in.
MISREPRESENTATION to be settled by climatic
laws He believes, with James Buchanan and
Jefferson Davis, in the Cincinnati platform He
is recognised leader of the Democratic Party
which we contend is the instrument used by the
Slaveholding Caste for sectional. ro-Slayer,
purposes. He would seek the acquisition o
Cuba, and maintain at the same time its Sla
very. He assents to the dogma of the maiorit,
of the Judges of the Supreme Court, that Con
gress cannot prohibit Slavery in the Territories
and that slaves are regarded as property by tn,
Federal Constitution.
These are all fundamental points of dferenc,
between him and the Republican Party, ant
yet, Republican letter writer's and journalists
during the last session of Congress- overlooke,
them all, in their admiration of his antagonist
to an infatuated Administration, which brough
him into accidental cooperation with Republ
cans.
We would not do injustice to Mr.. Douglas
but his true position ought now to be kep
steadily in view. He would not surrender o
qualify it to gain Republican support; VIII
should Republicans surrender or compromis
their opinions to secure his alliance?
Similar views might be taken in relation t,
Senators Bell and Crittenden, and their specia
friends in the House. The Lecompton affair wa
believed BY those gentlemen to be base, an un
mitgated Fraud, and it was the measure of al
Administration to which they were hostile
Their sense of honor was offended their REGARD
for justice outraged they had the sagacity I.
see that its tendency was to increase the agita
ton of a Question they disliked to have discuss
ed; they had nothing to lose, something t.
gain, BY defeating the Administration. Gen
erous and interested motives combined to plac,
them for time in exceptional cooperate,
with Republicans and Douglas Democrats, Blu