The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-23
THE BLACK REPUBIICANs AND THE SUCCESSION

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THE BLACK REPUBLIcANs AND THE SUCCESSION.
III is true that the democratic party divided
the question of the presidential succession, it is
not less 80 that the opposition are in the pre-
dicament- AS that effective promoter Of domestic
peace, and eficacous persuasive to ilia affection
and devotion-the last win and Testament does not,
unfortunately for the present incumbents of power,
exist in politics. these personages are doomed to
witness for the next eighteen months, the interest
ing operation of the parceng out of their effects in
prospect of their demise; and perchance, also, to
experience of the Indifference and neglect
from the administrators their estates before DEATH
which tenants for life often have to endure from ex-
pectant and inpatient heirs to their possessions.
AS all worldly success, however whether in the
pursuits of industry glory, whether in the conquess
of wealth power, end at last in but the fee simple
scisen OF piece of earth seven feet by two
and as therefore, the approach of demise
invariably tends to inspire sentiments of disin-
terestedness, and to qualify those most tenacious
of worldly possessions to look with philosophy
upon the prospective loss of them; so it is to
be supposed that the present ncumbents of pow
er look with reasonable degree of compla-
cency upon the fierce contests which are about to
ensue for the goods and chattels they are to
leave behind them. If any scandal should attend
the heated contest, it will not reflect upon them but
upon the angry contestants in the strife.
In hereditary governments the laws of succession
designate before each demise the successor to the
sovereignty, and indicate with exact precision the
recipient of the robes and emoluments of power.
These laws have the double operation in public sue
cessons which statutes of descent and testamenary
writings have in private; dsposing not only of
the symbols of authority, but the perquisites also
These laws have at least the merit of preventing
the scandal which is apt to attach to ante-humous
struggles for the spos of succession. But what
may be said in audaon of the dignity order and
quiet which attend the hereditary transmission Of
crowns contrasted with the turmoil and strife which
attend the periodical contests for power in repub-
lies; these last are among the distinguishing incl
dents of freedom, and among those preroga-
tves in the exercise of which our people take the
most intense interest and the most cordial pride and
satisfaction.
As no one gainsay the right of our friends the
black republicans to indulge the largest liberty of
debate and contest the question of the success
sion there is no why the various opinions of
the disputants should not have the largest notoriey
which the press give them. We accordingly
make some important quotations in another column
from several leading authorities in the republican,
ranks on the question of republican candidate for
the succession 1t will be observed from the tenor
of these extracts that the black-republicans have
two questions to settle in their preparations for the
contest of 1860 whereas it is well known that the
democrats have but one. There is no division in
the democratic counsels in regard to principles or
policy their only want is man, a candidate who
will combine and consolidate the whole strength of
the party. Their only want is the q no uncommon,
one of hero. All that relates to creed and meas
is already settled the man is the only beside
ratum.
But the case is not the same with the republicans
Preliminary to the choice of man, is the question
whether they shall organize with reference TO
relying on the strength of their own organization
alone, or with reference to enlistng in common
with them all the odds and ends Of parties and
creeds which the vicssudes of politics during the
last half century have left scattered here and there
like lost sheep in the different parts of the Union The
Tribune, it will be seen, is advocate of this latter
PobSy' Ah@l Ioulut 10 NHHllS 10 accept as It's
didate, either dissenting democrat or loyal republ
can, either STAKEHOLDER abotionist according as
the selected man may be able to bring the largest
outside strength to that of the republican organi
zation proper. In other words, the Tribune pro-
poses to organize for victory over the democrats
for merely wrestling the reins of power from their
hands, though the victorious coalition NAV
dissolve in the act of reaching power, though the
victory may turn to dust and ashes in the hands of
the republican party the moment it is cutched
In the lists opposed to the Tribune is the power
full name of Mr.. Seward, supported by that Of the
veteran GiddiDgs, tho noisy and active little Wash
burne and right formidable host of other ultra re-
publicans, great and small. Although the Tribune
is strongly supported by numerous active ieuten-
ants, it is plain that the majority in the republican
councils are for the present at least, opposed to
any sacrifice of creed to policy and to the nomna-
ton Of any other than thorough, uncompromisng
republican or, as the Albany Evening Journal ex-
presses it, a Representatives man" of the party
1t is not difficult TO foresee, however, which Of
these wings of the republican organization will
eventually carry the day. Despite of the present
large majority opposed to compromise and coalition,
the history of opposition to the democracy in this
country affords sufficient assurance that the CON
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