Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-02-14
Correspondence Of the Fremont Journal.
Letter from washington.


WASHINGTON, January 3, 1862.
MR. EDIroR:-It is very manifest that we are
fast settling down into two new political parties
-one will probably be called the Nationals or
some such name and the other the peace party.
At the head of the latter, in the House, is Mr..
Valandigham, and in the Senate is Mr. Powell.
The National party will imperceptibly absorb
the earnest and vigorous men of both the Re-
publican and Democratic ranks. Among the
regardless of anteccdents for preserving the in
tegrity of the Government, suppressing the re-
bellion and making good ready to meet John
Bull if he wishes,
Among the Peace party are the men who new
er favored coercion; who are terrified by the
"onward to- Richmond" cry, and who to-mor-
row would compromise with JEFF. Davis on his
own terms if they could get the chance. So
much for the future.
As to the present, fair description of the
Republican party as well as the causes which
have thus far rendered it as party almost a
failure may not be uninstructive.
Two elements almost antagonistic in their ma
ture were combined to form the Republican
party-one was the anti-slavery element and
the other the anti-democratic element. The
anti-slavery men under the influence Of mora
truth opposed slavery because of its great in,
justice and damaging disgrace to our country
the anti-democratic element became Republi.
cans for the sake of beating the old Democratic
party. On the question of slavery they were
ond ara ss copsorxat;va ne tbo canaarvat;,,a Dar,
ocrats-conservatism with them meaning to-
tai indifference as to whether slavery "is voted
up or down" There are so many of these men
both in Congress and in power in high places
that anti-slavery sentiment in legislative cir
cles will recede rather than advance during the
present Administration. This same class ol
men claim to own the President and Cabinet;
il we may Judge by appearances the owner
ship is acknowledged. They have arrogated to
themselves the name of Constitutional Republi-
cans, while they designate the anti slavery men
by the name Of Radical Republicans.
To the honor of the Radicals" in Congress
it can be said that, without hardly an exception
they still continue to be guided by the morality
which first made them anti-slavery men, and
thus far their record shows that they voluntari-
ly keep aloof from all the stsalings and thiev.
cry which are ehargeable to the Administration
and it's friends. On the other hand the men
who became Republicans for sake Of the spoill
who oppose the democrats because their "a.
theirs did-these same men are the only Rspub-
licans who could obtain contracts and as mat
ter of course are the only Republicans who can
practice frauds upon the treasury. These are
the men who. when q new matter is proposed
ask in the frat place how will such matter af-
feet our partyl They viii not tolerate Dem
ocrat among them because they have been fight,
ing Democrats all their lives. Itwas this elAsl
Of men who, the other day when Mr.. Stanton
was before them for confirmation in the Senate
set up such howl because he was Democrat
This howl was brought to a sudden stop by tn.
senior Senator from Ohio giving them to under
stand that Mr.. Stanton was the man, the bes
man, both competent and honest with the nee
essary amount Of combatlveness to make ius
such Secretary Of Waras the times demanded
sour war cry still continues TO be, IAN Il
quiet on the Potomac" How long these thing
shall be 40 no one save Gen. Mcclellan can tel
and it is very doubtful il he knows ~