The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-12-05
Pass over Your Standards:

Il is new thing for victorious army TO be
called upon in the hour Of victory to surrender
their standards. IL is new thing for beaten
party IN politics. To dictate TO the successful, the
terms upon which alone the public peace may
be preserved, set we have all lived to see it take
place.
The Republican party is now asked TO repeal
all personal liberty acts, ia such States as have
passed thenI, to admit that Congress has power
not only but it i. duty, to protect all emigr:sits
with slaves, in the enjoyment thereof, though
they 90 into territory now free.
The South further demand fall, perfect, and
unInoiested execution OF the Fugitive Slave Law
of September 1870 This they have RICH, to
demand and have.
II the Republican party had been beaten on
the 9th of November, nothing Of It's integrity,
principle, or honor would have been !ost. No
surrender would have been asked, aud the lead
era stapdard.bearers, and rank and file would
have pirded themselves anew, for another strug-
Gle for freedom in 1864.
How stands the case if what is now deman-
Welded up. Where then are honor, principle
and freedom? Gone. and in their place stands a
bald admission that the campaign was carried
by false pretenses, and that the Republicans
instead of having contested the canvass upon
the Chicago platform, really stand upon the
Breckenridge platform Dred Scot, plank and all.
How far short Of knavery would this be! The
chicanery and double dealing of Douglas, would
he thrown into the shade. This clamor over
his terciversation and qualification upon the pop
Mar sovereignty abstraction, would then be
drowned out-for factions speak louder than
words" and while he has only been talking
bindly and treacherousy, we shall have been
acting blind,y and traioriously. without even his
poor excuse Of an advantage ahead-withOut
any excuse OF raa,ion but ahject cowardice.
One State alone, in its sovereign capacity, by
its constitutional methods has not AZ yet answered
this brazen summons TO surrender. Vermont
has answered, plainly, as she always speaks,
when human freedom is ACCOMPLISHMENTS
lively, so far as the majority is concerned. Who
shall stand up and say, vermont has done a
wrong?" The Republican party, to be of use
To the country, must look to a future--where is
its future, if in the first hours Of its National
birth, it admits away its principal and strongest tie.
Michigan, within the coming month, will be in
vited, az Vermont was invited, to take the incep-
tiye-to 90 into this much Sanvasscd abncgation
OF hitherto cherished political principles This
invitation will come before the Legislature, in
the form of the dis met propositions named
above. Legislators elected by the votes of the
Republicans of Michigan, are Won ready for the
question? Are YOU ready, because tFeasonous
men at the South say ''you shalf'--bccause the
I.ocofcco enemy at the North say 'you must
because faint hearted and iimid friends say you
had better?' Are Won ready To yield up all or
the most Of that for which ven have struggled,
saving practically to your enemies, here, you
were right, and this your triumph, aud not
ours-siv- ~ a verdict in name, with one cent
damages, aud take what yOu have robbed us of,
and ego in peace"
We have much mistaken some oil you-m.s:a.
ken your temper, frmncss. zeal and earnestness,
il you are ready so to do, and shah believe it
only when the world sees il.
Firm, true Republican Memf crs and Senators,
you will BE- sorely pressed throughout the coming
session, to yield. Stand ast-sand firm. Give
no inch OF what has been held and maintained
by the People of Michigan, a. belonging To TRUTH
to freedom, and to equal government. The first
oisectual breach in your ranks, forever breaks
the organization of the Republican party OF free
domi BE wiSe-be warv-be firm,