Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-17
POLITICAL NAMES AND SCHEMES

POLITICAL NAMES AND SCHEMES
Two things are marvel to us as often as
we notice them. The first is that sundry
Journals, especially in Massachusetts,, which
have always shown hearty lovo for the great
principles and objects of the Republican Par
ty, keep up a perpetual talk about "Ameri-
can Republicans" american Republican
ism" and The American Republican Party.
In one point of view the practice is an alb
surd one. for there is no such party, distinct
from tho Republican party, there are no such
principles distinct from Republican princi-
pies and there are no American Republicans
who are not Republicans. The terms are
unnatural and clumsy, and serve no good end
whatever, while If nothing worse follows
from their use, they puzzle and distract the
popular mind and produce weakness instead
of strength. In another point of view such
terms are more positively mischicvous They
serve to produce feeling that tho Rernbli-
can party of the nation is sort of partner
ship of two distinct political organizations,
and must act through delegates, or represen-
tatives in some form, of the two members
Just so far as any such feeling has an exist
ence, it leads to corruption in the members and
weakness in the whole body. Narrow mind
ed and selfish men will fasten to any such
feeling and work to advance their own ends
by means of it,-too often with success.
We find no good reason for the use of such
terms in the fact that there was once party
organization called American, and that many
of those who belonged to it are now support
ers of Republican principles and measures.
We might Just as we'll talk about Wing Re
publicans and Democratic Republicans, Free
Soil Republicans, and Abolition Republicans.
as about American Republicans and Demo-
cratic Journals might as fifty talk about
American Democrats, Wing Democrats, Free
Soil Democrats, and Abolition Democrats,
and so on. They take care to do no such
thing. They apply slang epithets in plenty
to the Republicans but with them Demo-
crat is Democrat and nothing else. So it
should be on the other side. A Republican
should be Republican, nothing less nor
more.
But there is a second thing quite as mar
velou. to us as that which we have just re-
ferred )-perhaps more SO. Some of the
journals which were among the earliest and
strongest advocates for the formation of the
Republican party, and which we believe in
tend tobe as hearty supporters of its cause
as ever, start off now and then on scheme
to help it by giving aid and comfort to its
avowed and bitter enemies-or by having
treaty of amity and commerce made between
the Republicans and those who keep them
selves aloof from both the Republicans and
the Democrats, willing indeed to unite with
the Republicans for the occasion, provided
there is "a fair con sideration" given, and
equally willing to get their fee from the
Democrats if they cannot secure one from
their opponents.
The sort of ''ad and comfort" which the
Springfield Republican, the N. Y. Tribune
and some other journals gave the cause of
Douglas during the late canvas in Illinois is
case in point. Douglas was the head and
front of the grand pro-slavery outrage on
the principles of the American Revolution
and on the honor of the nation, which was
the immediate occasion Of the formation OF
the Republican party. No one was more
ready to back up every villainous plan, or to
give countenance and support to every act of
rascality and outrage, rtsorted to in Con-
gress OF in Kansas to fasten slavery uron
Kansas, and to deprive the people Of that
territory Of their natural and constitutional
rights, than Stephen A. Douglas. No one was
more persistent and outrageous in his abuse of
Republicans from his own seat in the Senate
chamber than he was Who can forget the
coarse, insulting language which he used to-
wards Senator Sumner-asking on the floor
of the Senate chamber "Does the senator
irish us 10 kick him ?" Who can forget the
GOODNESS with which he gave as an excuse for
not rendering that eminent Senator any help
when he had fallen under the assassin blows
of Brooks, that he ,cas afraid, if he did so,
1t could be misinterpreted Who ever knew
of his expressing from that day to this, the
least spark of sympathy for the cause of the
Republicans or of his failing to abuse them,
and to misrepresent their principles, their
language and their acts, whenever he thought
he could gain point by so doing? No one.
No one.
But at last there came one little step, which
he said he would not take. To be sure, it was
no worse than all his previous steps had been,
but it was more dangerous to his prospects in
Illinois, and of course, to his hopes for the
Presidency. So he did not take it. He turn
ed his back on Mr.. Buchanan and voted with
the Republicans. Forthwith the journals re-
ferred to raised the query, Ought not such
christian heroism to be rewarded? What q
force he would bring to the Republican oauoo,
if, overcome with gratitude for Republican
aid to secure his reelection, he should go on
and do the best in his power to undo all the
mischief he had done before Had not the
Republicans in Illinois better think of this,
and so work as to help rather than to hinder
his SUGGEST
So thought not the Republicans of Illinois,
and the consequences is, that their eyes are
bright, their hands are strong and their
swords are keen for the great battle of 1860
4 there are thousands more of them
a., there were two years ago
Ia .h., 'ielded to such (well-meant, no
douh, hu, cart. 'inly dangerous) suggestions
.Io;, 49,, forco - 'nuld have been wholly
'iASAN >~>O- ;a -ould b.ro ko.-