The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-20

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unjust and revolutionary demands will occasion,
the Republican party, or, if that should fail to do
the work required of it, one more faithful ana
vigorous, will be a necessary and unavoidable
| political organization. And do not believe that
it will be constituted hereafter of those only who
are now within its ranks, but that it will EN-
! brace, ALSO all Americans and anti I4ecompton
/ Democrats who do not mean to submit TO the
subjugation of Freedom, or the overthrow of our
! political institutions. Upon these oyershadow-
ing issues, there can be but two opinions or par
ties and those who are not with the shareholders
party, must be with that of their opponents. Wise
and conservative Southern men, too, who are not
! the propagandists Of Slavery-men who do not
/ desire the extension of that system more than
! the continuance of the Government as established
by our fathers-Tshould be with this party, for it
seeks nothing inconsistent with their honor, their
rights, or their true interests 1t will leave them
I to manage then domestic affairs in their own
way, claiming no authority to interfere therein.
/ 1t will strive to place them on no ground which
was not occupied by the South, for the genera
ton succeeding the Revolution. Southern men
who are willing to stand where their fathers
stood at the close Of the second war with Great
Britain, will find in the principles and purposes
OF the Republican party nothing to which they
will desire to object but in that party the instru
mentality for which they have long waited to
restore peace and harmony to all sections of their
/ beloved country and TO strengthen their hands
for the grand contamination which must be near
est to their hearts. 1t appears to me that there
are no men go much interested as they that the
Republicans should submit to no change of pur-
pose or policy, to no dlution of their principles,
or lowering of their standard But if they think
otherwise, and the Republicans, in obedience to
their requirements yield their distinctive posi-
ton, have not the shadow of a doubt that they
will go into minority in nearly every free State
in 1860. Maine, strongly Republican she is,
l am confident could not be depended upon to
defeat the Democratic party on any other plat
form. Would it be wise to exchange Maine, not
| for Kentucky, but for a possibility of carrying
| that State2 Who would advise a surrender of
| New York for be sake of running an electoral
| ticket in Virginia? Thousands of earnest and
efficient Republicans in every Northern State will
leave their organization the moment it becomes
a mere opposition party. They have learnt that
party, into which Southern men come for the
sake OF gaming victory over the Democrats,
and not for the purpose of sustaining Republican
principles, must allow them to dictate the issues
so lar as the Slavery question is concerned and
that they, fearing the immediate consequences at
home OF recognition of Republican doctrines,
Will insist upon its being upon this subject
mere acquiescing and do-nothing party--in
making 1t, In fine, the practical abettor and not
the opponent OF the Democratic party make it
what the Wing party " as, in 1850, when its ad-
mlnlstratlon became the defender of the compro-
mise measures of that year. Do those who re-
member how impossible it was to bring the
masses of that party to the support of the policy
OF Mr. Fillmore believe that the Republican party,
more earnest and determined than ever the Wing
party was, Will consent that their organization
shall tread the path which led to the ruin of the
Wing party2 Friends Republicans, opponents
OF the slaveholding propaganda | beg you to
be wise In time; stand upon the solid ground of
your lmperishable principles; respect your party
as a hxed fact and necessity, and it will be the
party that for years to come will hold the power
III this country. And, sir, venture to predict,
that within ten years from this time il will have
the support OF large majority of the people of
the slave States.
Am | told that there are other things than
those regarding Slavery to which a great politi-
cal party should give its attention, answer that
acknowledge it; but add that, upon the ques-
lions referred to, no party has ever been able to
stand against the so-called Democracy; and
that 1T can be opposed successfully only by one
which the people believe, and can readily see is
more truly Democratic. | would say, also, that
these Slavery issues are more important than all
others; and, besides, important as the others
may be- and as L know them to be, there is no
hope OF their being justly treated except in the
success of the Republican party. If we would
have economy in the Administration, Justice to
all, honesty and good faith development of the
vast resources OF the country, wise regard to
the interests of free labor let us work to strength
en- and consolidate che Republican party, and in
so doing we shall treat these questions as import
ant, but subordinate and incidental. Seek frst to
place the liberties Of the country an immova-
BILE foundation, and all other needful things
shall be added
hear it objected, that the Republicans arc I'M
wise in insisting upon formulas and platforms,
which are unnecessary, as they will give them no
new recruits, and will drive away many who
would be willing to act with them, if not thus
repealed answer, that in some way the prin-
cIples and objects of the party must be distinctly
understood; that common honesty, as well as
sound policy, requires this. If, however, its pur-
poses are so well known, and its policy so dis
tinctiy pronounced, that there can be no misun-
derstanding in regard to them; or if it shall have
in the persons of its standard-bearers those who
are regarded as embodiments of its principles.
living witnesses to the truth written and formal
platforms and declarations may be dispensed with
But think there should be no objection at any
time, to plain and truthful statement by party
OF its principles and issues. The Democratic
party has for many years been in the habit of
adopting platform at its national conventions,
and have never understood that it has suffered
from this practice. 1t seems to me there is great
force in the remark of a celebrated author and
statesman, "that doctrines must generally be
embodied before they can excite a strong public
feeling and platform, if not, strictly speaking,
the embodiment of doctrine, is such deliberate
and authoritative expression of it, as makes it
clear to the public mind, and palpable to its touch
| am informed that two or three Northern
States are not up to the Republican standard
Perhaps not though | doubt the statement so
far as their people are concerned, but do not in
reference to some of their politicians. However
this may be, | am certain that if the Republican
party will, by its earnestness, frmness and self
respect, persuade the people of those States that
it is to remain in the field till the objects for
which it was Instituted are accomplished, every
opponent of the slave-struck Democracy, and
every man in them who believes that white men
have interests which should be cared for and pro-
tected, will find himself fighting calamity within
its ranks.
That twill remain in the field till the vast ques
tons which called it into life are disposed of as
they should be, will not permit myself to doubt
The inherent vitality that there is in truth in
structs me that the leading idea of this party can
ncyer be extinguished and this idea is so thor
oughly accepted by its masses, and so many of
them feel that the path Of principle is the only
road to success that its inidelity or disintegra-
ton are events placed far beyond the machine
tons of those who feel that their own advance
ment has little encouragement from line Of
policy which looks to power as means and not
as an end; and when they hear it said by the
latter that the first object is to get power, they
add 10 get il fairly and honestly, perceiving that
power obtained for no specific purpose is to be
relied on for no definite good and they will in
sist that in this instance at least, power is
certain to be won by a frank avowal of principle
than by any other course that the highest policy
is to maintain the Republican doctrines in their
integrity and fulness, and to bear aoft its stand