Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-04-17
BRATTLEBORO, VTi
SATURDAY, APRIL II, 1868.
The Future Of the Republican Party.

The political history oil the Unlted oVates US
we'll as that of England shows concusively that
under q constitutional form of government there
will always be two parties, the one conservative
and the other radical. The lines which separate
these two antagonistic elements will at times be
very distinctly marked ard again nearly obliter-
ated. The agitation of leading measures ofgov-
ernmental policy will necessarily call out dis
tnctive opinions, the adoption or rejection of
which constitutes the basis of party organiza- |
ton. When these measures are defnitively
adopted or rejected their influence in determn-
ing party boundaries cease and give place to
newer and fresher subjects of legislation that are
constantly arising.
In this country the democracy are the radi-
calls and their opponents the conservatives
The records Of the politics of the United States
from 1928 to the present time demonstrates the
truth of this proposition. 1t has been the for
tune of the radicals, or democrats, to be in pow
er the greater portion of this time. From this
circumstance has arisen the fact that the large
number of distinctive measures of party policy
that have been incorporated into the legislation
of the country have originated with the democ-
racy. How much influence the opposition have
exerted in suppressing evil legislation and in
promoting that which will be ultimately benef-
cial the future alone will reveal
In 1852 the Wing party which always had
borne itself as proudly and calamity in adversi-
ty as in prosperity, was annihilated as an organ
ization. Its old leaders were dead and the is
sues which had given it strength and character
had become settled or obsolete A new era had
arisen, and the promise in the inaugural of the
Executive in 1853, was one of long continuance
The administration that then came into power
indicated blending Of the radical with the con-
servative in the national policy in such just pro-
portions that all, whether wings or democrats,
could withdraw all opposition if they did not
feel compelled to yield to it their active support
and influence For more than thirty years no
other administration had come into existence
with so little opposition that was purely factious
and with so many wishes for its success in pro-
noting the interests and honor of the country.
Under the solemn promise of the President that
by no act of his should the peace and harmony
"
sures, be disturbed the great mass of the people
withdrew from all active opposition. They were
content with such assurances that the exciting
scenes of the two or three years preceding that
event should not be renewed.
This promise proved to have been made to
the car only to be broken. The radical element
taking advantage of the existing repose and Sc
curity, concocted and put in execution plan Of
making Slavery a national instead of local i'll
stitution by repeating the Missouri Compromise
Enlisting in their behalf the greed and cupidity
of the slaveholding interest of the country, and
appealing to the North under the plea of "pop-
ular sovereignty" they accomplished their pur.
tydcase was triinped ' up and sent to the Uni
ted States Court for decision. The composition
of that Court was such that no doubts as to tn,
character of that decision could be apprehend
ed; and by travelling beyond the record tina
Court was able to give its dicta to suit the exi
gencies of the party.
In opposition to this radical or pro-Slaver,
democracy the Republican party was organized
just previous to the last Presidential election
Had it been successful in the then pending con
test so much of the Nebraska X ansas act as ig
nored the sovereign right of Congress to pro
hibit Slavery in the territories would undoubt
edly have been repealed, and Kansas would
have been admitted into the Union as free
State. The organization, aims, objects and ten
denotes Of the party, Notwithstanding most O
its supporters lived in the Northern States, wcr,
eminently national and conservative. 1t sough
to repress the ultra action of the advocates o
Slavery and to restore the action of the govern
ment to harmonic with those. principles ant
those limitations that guided the policy of tn,
earlier administrations.
With popular sovereignty emblazoned OF
its banners the democratic party went into thu
last contest and through the divisions of its OPP.
ponents, was successful although in a minorit,
of hundreds ofthousands Of votes. But it had
no sooner commenced active operations than
different policy was developed. Falsifying al
the principles that brought it into being it hai
attempted to bring Kansas into the Union witt
constitution denounced and detested by more
than three fogrtks eff her inhabitants. Tht
eminent has been lavished for the attainment
of this wicked end. Thanks to those democrats
who would not stihe their convictions nor set a
nought the will of their constituents, it has thu,
far been completely foiled. In its attempts tc
break the unyielding it is itself broken.
From present indications there is nothing tc
prevent the opposition from carrying ever,
Northern State at the next election. Demo
cratic principles have resolved themselves into
the single one of Slavery extension. To THU
end the party seems inclined to direct all its en-
orgies. With this fact fully understood ant
with moderate counsels, and judicious actor
there is triumphant victory for the Republican
party in prospect AS the end rather than tn,
means used is the object of our exertions, W,
care not whether Slavery is limited by Congress
sional legislation or by the expansive nature o
free institutions as developed by popular sover
eighty. Give our Northern men free fielt
and fair play and we have no fears of the result