Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-05-26
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

pied politicians to ignore the existence of the
Republican party and its principles, and or
ganizc new party in this State, based upon
opposition" " to the National Administration.
Since, we have observed that several of our
contemporaries have spoken out upon the sub
ject. In our judgment, no greater disaster
could overtake the friends of Freedom in the
State, and throughout the country, than the
success of the schemes which have been laid to
place the party in Pennsylvania in such po-
sition
We cannot conceive of an organization be-
coming permanent unless based upon the pro-
mitigation and advocacy of correct principles.
1t must have embazoned upon its banners the
great fundamental truths of Liberty and JUS
tice. Commercial revulsions may serve for
campaign, to arouse those who are its victims,
to vote for the overthrow of the men who are
the supposed cause of their sufferings, but the
party which would base its vitality upon such
a cause, would be of day, and though 1t might
find victory perching upon its banners for a
single campaign, would be quite as likely in
another battle to be utterly routed and demo.
rallied. This is equally true of an organiza-
tion which has no foundation except the short
comingS Of National Administration Oppo-
Sition to the acts or doctrines of another party
will not answer to found successful and per-
manent party upon. and those who propose
such thing are either willfully or foolishly
blind.
The prospect Of success in 1860 has Infused
activity into a set of men who are only looking
for the enjoyment of patronage which that
success would bring. These men are willing
to sacrifice everything in the shape of princi-
PIE, for the purpose Of securing the control of
the General Government for a single presiden-
tial term. They are now endeavoring to shape
matters that every ism and shade of opinion
can be marshalled under one banner, without
any declaration of principles. Suppose that
this object should be attained, and this mon
greI party should elect President in 1860,
what cohesion would then exist among the diff
ferent branches, and how long before it would
tumble to pieces, leaving the Democratic par
ty, covered as it is with denquencies, to con-
troll the country Is there nothing higher to
be attained than success in 1860 ? and might
not the defeat Of the Democracy in the next
Presidential contest, bring more disaster to
the cause of Freedom, under certain circum-
stances, than its continuance in power for an
other four years? These questions are worthy
of serious consideration. We may be consid-
cred heterodox if we say we incline to an af-
frmatve answer
1t has become a settled conviction that GER
tain defeat awaits the nominee of the Charles
ton Convention. We wish we could sanguinely
rest in such an opinion. But to US, the future
OF the Republican canSe is somewhat overcast.
We see the existence of too many discordant
elements 10 feel certain of harmonious oppo-
sition-and we see no way to quiet certain un-
easy and designing men, except at the expense
of those principles which alone give vitality to
the Republican party, and which once ignored,
bring not only defeat, but disgrace In our
opinion, we have already temporized too much
we have lost sight Of principle for the sake
of success-and the sooner we get back to the
starting point, the better for the Republican
party and for the country.
There are but two great parties in the coun-
try-as there is but one living, real issue. One
party is devoted 20 the propagation and strength
eniug of the institution of Slavery-the other
asserts the superiority of Free White Labor
The Republican party meets the issue fairly
and squarely for Northern Freemen-while the
Democratic party is marshalled under the sa-
BILE banner of Slavery. Now, why should
Northern men hesitate to take sides with one
or the other? There are certainly no other
issues, which require the existence of third
party, The Republican party demands the
protection Of the ballot-box against improper
influences, and the fostering and protection of
the interests of Pennsylvania It's platform is
broad enough for every Pennsylvania to stand
upon. But there are men in the State who
demand that the name shall be dropped, and
its principles hid out of sight, before they can
cooperate with its members We have al
ready been too accommodating We have al
ready yielded too much to this timdity and
time-serving policy. We have acceded to the
demands of those who wished to come gradu-
ally into the Republican organization, until
we have retarded the progress of the cause for
years. We have listened to the specious plea
that public sentiment was not sufficiently ripe
- II the unfurlng of the Republican banner,
-~nartunity has been lost for
=