Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-11-30
The Duty of the Republioan Pa-tv

'ot-ioi nv oUG surprising
your columns open for the legitimate dis
cussion of political topics, I herewith
present my views III relation to the duty
OF the Republican party in view of the re-
sponslblilty which it is about TO assume in
the administration of the Government.
The great strife which has existed for
the past few months has now terminated
IN the complete triumph of our principles.
The people have arisen in their majesty
and asserted their right to choose as their
ruler for the next four years. Abraham
Lincoln, of Illinois. All this has been ac-
complished peaceably and constitutioDally
by an overwhelming majority, thereby in
dicating that the platform and principles
of the Republican party are right, and if
faithfully adhered to and carried out, they
will bring back the Government to the an
cient landmarks established by those no
bic patriots and statesmen who first inau-
gurated the present form of Republican
Government. We claim as a party to
be loyal to the Constitution, and to obey
every congressional enactment, however OBJ
noxlous 1t may be, until by peaceable
means the same shall be repealed But
thore are some things upon our statute
books of which our political enemies of the
South have just reason to complain; and
which are obnoxious to the provisions of
our Federal enactments, | refer to the
Personal Liberty laws enacted in most of
the Northern States soon after the passage
of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, Since
that time, Maine, New Hampshire, YER
mont, Massachusetts,, New York, Connec-
ticut, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and
Wisconsin have passed laws, which now
stand unrepealed, and are in direct conflict
with the provisions of that law. However
great an outrage upon the freedom loving
people Of the North might have been com
mitted by the adoption Of that law by Con-
gress, nc circumstance connected with its
passage, nor any of its provisions, could
for moment justify5the course pursued by
the Legislatures of those States in their
hostile attitude to that act, and their eff
fort to obstruct the execution of its proyis-
ions. In SO doing they manifested spir-
1t of INSTRUMENTATION to the laws of the
land, and took the first step towards Revo
lution-a precedent upon which the South
ern States now act and which they threat
en- to carry out to it's legitimate but sad
conclusion. Being well aware how humil-
iating and degrading that act renders ev-
cry Northern freeman in compelling him
to be an unwilling instrument IN returning
the fugitive from bondage, I have never
understood it to BET part of the Republi-
gan creed to offer resistance to any law of
the General Government. While l. if call
ed upon, would feel bound to comply with
It's requirements, ] nevertheless would 90
as far as any other man for it's repeal
The indignation manifested, and defiant
attitude assumed by a large majority of
the Northern people on the PRONUNCIATION
of the bred Scott decision, was uncalled
tor and had tendency to weaken the bond
Of union which it is so imperatively neces-
sary to our peace and prosperity to pre-
serve. That decision was declared by the
Legislature Of Penn. to be wanton attack
on the sovereignty Of the Free States. and
an impotent attempt to nullify the estab-
lished laws Of the land The Legislature
of Maine passed two acts immediately af-
ter that decision was made, both receiving
the approval of the Governor, protecting
the liberty Of all colord persons, touching
the soil of that State, and providing them
with all possible aid, legal and execu-
tive, in case Of their being arrested as fu-
gitives.
These expressions and acts, coming as
they do, from high legislative bodies, are
sufficient ground of complaint to those
against whose interest they are directed,
and embody the germs of dissolution No
lover of the Union or Constitution can do
otherwise than regret that the Northern
States have deemed their grievances suffic-
lent to warrant them in going so far tow
ards breaking up of this great confedera-
cy of States, These acts are charged d.
rectly, with how much propriety I am I'M
able to say, upon the party now victorious.
In view of the great triumph which the Re-
publican party have just achieved. I deem
1t their first great duty, and one not in the
least calculated to compromise any princi-
Piles or position they have assumed, to re.
move all obnoxious and rebellious legisla-
ton from the records of every Northern
State, thereby showing to our brethren of
the South, who deem their grievances
greater than they can bear, that though
great and in power or about to be, we can
be magnanimous and at the same time
show the world our fidelity to the Union
IL Il