The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-17
THE STRENGTH OF THE REPUBLI.
CAN PARTY

The triumph of the Republican party in
New York, under all the circumstances. fur
nishes the most conclusive proof of its strength,
and the efficiency of its organization. 1t has
not simply held its ground-it has taken an
important step forward. Hitherto Republican
ism in the Empire State has been in the mi
nority. 1t was simply the largest of three par
ties, and has carried the elections by plurali-
ties; union of the two opposing parties in
former contests would have caused its defeat.
But in the late election the Republicans have
triumphed, by clear majority, over both the
Democratic" and American parties The
leaders ofthe latter adopted an ingenious device
by which they hoped to prevent Republican
triumph. OF the eight State officers to be
elected, four were selected by the Americans
from the Republican, and four from the "Demo-
cratic" ticket; and it was hoped, by concentra-
ting the vote of the third party upon this mon
grel ticket, that neither of the great parties
could come off entirely victorious. This ar
rangement, in view of the fact that heretofore
the Democratic and American votes united
have been by many thousands larger than the
Republican, was a formidable obstacle to COM
plete success. In addition to it, the Harper s
Ferry affair occurred on the eve of the cleo
ton, and furnished a mere pretext for implica-
ting all the opponents of Slavery in unlawful
schemes of aggression upon the South. The
Herald with its immense circulation raised the
hue and cry against the Republican leaders,
and its appeals to the preudices and passions
of the multitude were echoed back by every
Democratic" journal in the land. Old John
Brown was hailed as deliverer by the terri
fed adherents of the Administration their
hopes revived, and for few days they conf
IDENTITY expected to sweep all before them. But
their work of detraction was oyerdone. Their
tabrications were too monstrous for belief, and
their dishonest use of the affair recoiled upon
them. 1t may be doubted if the effort to in
culpate the wisest and best statesmen in the
land in a scheme so absurd as that of Brown
and his confederates, has not been benefit
to the Republican party.
This election inaugurates a new era in
American politics. 1t makes clear the fact, that
the Slave OGgarchy, with their " Democratic ="
organization, have lost the faculty of terrify
ing the Northern people into the support of
their policy. The leading strings have at
length been broken the Northern people have
thrown aside their timid fears, and now dare
to assert their own policy of Freedom for the
Territories, unawed by idle threats of disunion
and civil war; They will take no step back
ward. They will strip the sham Democracy of
the power they have so long abused They
will make free the National Territories, and
while they will not interfere with the constitu-
tional rights of the Southern States, they will
put the Federal Government in hands which
will not use its patronage and influence, as
heretofore, in fostering a spirit of Slavery
propagandism.
The Harpers Ferry affair has spent its force,
so far as the Republican party in the free
States is concerned. 1t can do no harm in fu-
ture contests in the free States. That it will
intensity Southern ultraism, and cause the
propagandists of Slavery to demand still greater
concessions from their " Northern allies" we
have already abundant proof. The Southern
Democracy" are now almost unanimous in
| ANS'SAoSa'C PAOeSShOu 10 slavery IN
the Territories and those who talk of I" Non
Intervention" and Popular Sovereignty are
denounced as traitors in disguise.
These ultraisms are the legitimate fruits Of
the inscriptions efforts to connect the Re-
publican party with the Harper's Ferry affair
The Southern people are made to believe that
their only hope of safety is in the adoption of q
strongly Pro-Slavery policy, and the selection
of ultra Pro-slavery men to carry it into effect
The hope is still INDUCED that this policy, SC
odious and revolving to the people of the North
will be accepted by them in order to save the
Union from threatened dissolution. The lessor
OF the late election in New York has failed tc
make an impression upon the minds of the
Southern Democracy
There seems to be providence in this mad