Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-12-05
To the Republicans of Ohio

mlttee now announces to you IN the cuSto-
mary form, the success Of the Republican
party at the general election of the 9th
inst. The returns of the elections in the
Atlantic States and in the States III the
interior, gave US early assurance Of our
triumph. More recent news from Califor-
hia and Oregon indicate that they. too,
have joined the Republican ranks. From
sea to sea the triumph is complete.
The circumstances under which this
victory has been won gives it a peculiar
significance. For a long time prior to
1854, public Indignation had been excited
in the non-slayeholdding States by the per-
sistent efforts of the dominant party in the
slave-helding States. to make their policy
the policy of the general government
These efforts had been continued through
y long course of offensive legislation. car
ried on through the instrumentality of the
Democratic patty. The Indignation thus
excited increased IN extent and intensity
at each new act of offense. until upon the
repeal 0 fthe Missouri Compromise in 1851,
It acquired q force, which affected a rup
ture of all cid party ties. and manifested
itself in the new Republican organization.
This organization had for Its distinct
objects, the relief of the industrial inter
ests Of the country, from the depressing
influence of the policy of the prevailing
party in the s~lave-holding States, and the
establishment of the policy of the legisla-
ton of the country, on the subject of sla-
very, in conformity with the policy of the
constitution, as that policy was understood
in the early days of the Republic.
At the outset the Republican party was
assailed by abuse and Misrepresentation,
unparalleled in the history of party con-
tests. Yet, in despite of the worst that
calumny could do, undiscouraged in defeat
in its first presidential campaign in 1856;
without abatement of its claims, and con-
sciouE that time and its own conduct would
yindicate the integrity of its purposes, it
proceeded to prepare for the momentous
campaign which has just closed. On the
18th Of May last, its representatives adopt
ed . platform of principles, and nominated
its candidatcs for the Office Of President
and Vice President By this declaration
of principles the party is to be tried, and
stands or falls. not by any expression OF
individual opinions wherever announced.
The platform and the candidates of the
party have been approved and adopted by
the popular vote of the American people
We may now confidently look forward to
a realization of those hopes in which the
Republican organization was founded.
We express this confidence because we
feel assured that the new Administration
under the direction of the President elect
against whose honor and integrity no i'm
pstation was made during the whole Of the
late exciting canyass-Elli in all singlcness
Of purpose, conform to the letter and spirit
Of the Constitution of the country. to the
principles of tn Republican party as an
nouncel at Chicago, and as indicated by the
imminent national dangers which g y;
birth to the organization.
We express this confidence, Rotwithstan-
ding the discomfort which has appeared in
som parts of the country upon the election
Of Mr.. Lincoln.
1t is idle and mischievous in the extreme
to say that the American people can desire
or cansent that the Government which they
have established shall ever be overturned
under disappointment at the result of an
election held by them according to the forms
prescribed by the law of the land. The
Government was established by the People:-
its constitution was adopted by them
That constitution operating upon the people
in their national capacity, Is supreme. and
the laws passed in conformity with it.
whatever their character, are to be execu-
ted with equal viger and irlpartiality in
all parts of the country. The right Of re
v%olution is conceded to every community.
but there can be no moral justification Of
resOrting to that right except in the cas-. Of
an extremity of oppression for which no
legal remedy is available.
Between the exercise of this right and
simple obedience Of the laws, there can be
no middle course. A secession from allegi-
zncc to the Constitution aud laws by any
portion of the community without common
consent, is simply disObcdience Of law, and
nothing less than reasonable.
1t eannet he denied, that a sentiment in
favor Of disunion has for many years exist
ed IN some parts of the country, and to that
scntiment-Khat has seized hold Of the
election of Mr.. Lincoln as a pretext for
new agitatien-are to be attributed the
connections which now prevail,-buti it was
always limited in extent and never met
with any general response, but on the con-
trarY, evoked a sentiment in favor Of i per-
manent union, which was oYerpowering.-
Even nowit is not to be feared that it vii be
necessary to invoke the sanctions Of laws
of the country. in order to secure a due
observance of them. The patriotism of the
people, their intelligence, their love of viz
tue and good order in socicy. and that
strong devotion to the Union which
now as heretofore grows with the occasion.
will be sufficient for the greatest emergen-
cies. our
So much Of the PREVAILING discontent as
Crews out of a misunderstanding of the pur-
poses of the Republican party, will soon
subside with a better understanding of
those purposes. A free discussion has al
ready secured approval of them, by a large
popular yote:-it needs only a practical
development ofthem to secure a like appro-
val Throughout every portion of the coun-
try.
We may safely appeal to tic future to
this better understanding. The
opinions of the President elect we're frank
expressed during his memorable debate
with Mr.. Douglas and on subsequent Oc-
casOns at Columbus and Cincinnati, and
there is on suspicion that he viii depart
frsm them or introduce any new theory
dangerous to any portion of the country.
Republicans Of Ohio, the Republican
Ticket was elected by a majority Of 1000
It needs only that we be true to ourselves