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

In pOlltlcal as wen as SOCIAL hie, hpci"Ai'y
of sentiment and civility of speech are virtues
not to be neglected The spirit of Party should
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 ought
to be guarded-it becomes important, while
yielding him due honor, to keep distinctly in
view what we regard as wrong in his principles
and his position, lest our discriminating
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 Senator'S 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 un
guarded editorials, ascribing to them a 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 Slavssy Issue, un-
der the leadership of the new heroes.
Our readers will acqpit 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
selfpreservation, required him to take. He had
abrogated the Missous Compromise for the
purpose, he declared, of securing to the People
Of all the Territories Of the Union the right 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 how it would
operate in favor of free institutions. But,
the People of the United States had seen this
Principle of Self Government 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 himself to be without con-
sistency, without selfrespect, a traitor to him
self and to his constituents, and a 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; sefrespect, fSr there is pleas
ure in it; good faith, for there is honor in it
but he is not singular in this respect. Such q
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 moi
blame any man for taking care of his own in
terests in a legitimate way-but he is not &
hero because he does so. Do we sgnalize
man as worthy of place in the Calendar be
cause he practices sobriety, takes exercise, ant
keeps his bowels open, for the sake of hi
health?
Mr.. Douglas, having taken the position which
consistency, pride, good faith, and lfpreserva
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 o
voters who are organized for the purpose o
taking the Federal Government out of tn,
hands of the Slave Power, and making it al
agent within the sphere of its own jurisdiction
for the establishment of Liberty? He is no
with them, but against them. He does not rec
ognise the necessity of any such reformation
He regards Slaveryand Freedom with equal in
INSTRUMENTATION to be settled bv CLIMATE
laws. He believes, with James Buchanan an,
jefferson Davis, in the Cincinnati platform. II
is recognised leader Of the Democratic Party
which we contend is the instrument used by tn
Slaveholding Caste for sectional Pro-Slaver
purposes He would seek the acquisition G
Cuba, and maintain at the same time its Sls
very. He assents to the dogma of the majorit
of the Judges of the Supreme Court, that Cor
gress cannot prohibit Slavery in the Territorie,
and that slaves are regarded as property by tn
, Federal Constitution.
These are all fundamental points of diferenc
between him and the Republican Party, an
yet, Republican letter writer's and journalist
during the last session of Congress- overlooke
them all, in their admiration of his antagonist
to an infatuated Administration, which brougl
him into accidental cooperation with Republ
, cans.
: We would not do injustice to Mr.. Dougla
: but his true position ought now to be ke]
steadily in view. He would not surrender
qualify it to gain Republican support; WI
: should Republicans surrender or compromi.
, their opinions to secure his alliancei
e Similar views might be taken in relation
Senators Bell and Crittenden, and their speci
friends in the House. The Lecompton affair WI
r believed by those gentlemen to be q base, an Vi
: mitigated Fraud, and it was the measure of a
Administration to which they were hostil
: Their sense of honor was offended their regar
for justice outraged they had the sagacity
, see that its tendency was to increase the agit,
ton of a Question they disliked to have discus
ed; they had nothing to lose, something
gain, by defeating the Administration. Ger
erous and interested motives combined to plat
them for time in exceptional cooperate
with Republicans and Douglas Democrats, b