Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-10-14
The Republican Party-Its Measures and
Its Candidates.

W lth All good CltlHenS, actively, earnestly,
conscientiously, in official and private sta
ton, they have devoted themselves to
strengthening the government in the pros
ecution of the war. The sum and purpose If
their efforts have been to give to the president
and the army, under all circumstances, firm,
practical, and vigorous support. As citizens
they regard the government as the last re-
naming pillar of constitutional liberty on this
continent-to be guarded against all conspir-
ators, and defended against all foes. As re-
pubhcans they have no possible hope of
making their views OF public policy efiectual,
but through the government, preserved in
perfect integrity, according to the spirit Of the
constitution, and the teachings of the best
statesmen who have lived under it, For a
two-fold reason therefore, they are bound to
be faithful to the government-frst, because
1t is the only assurance and security of popu-
lar freedom; second, because the large and
generous sentiments underlying the republi-
can movement can only become part of the
organic law Of the nation through the existing
form Of government, and by the methods pre-
seribed in the constitution itself
The ends which they aim at, and the means
which they use, are alike in sympathy with
the spirit of our institutions and laws. Pri-
marily they intended no more than to liberate
the government from the destructive political
power of slavery, which had perverted it from
its integrity, and made it the minister and
slave Of class interests, to the detriment of
the whole people. The sentiment which
actuated them was strong, active, prey
alent- every thing but effectual - long
before it crystalized into political
organization. 1t had aimed to attain
results by moral means and persuasion Of
the old parties. It stroye, with Indifferent
success, to encourage all over the country the
growth of Institutions like those under which
Massachusetts and every other free state had
become imperial, to encourage the growth
of ideas which by their own power would Ill
timately make the enslayement of men on this
continent, with its incidents of cruelty, inhu-
mainly and injustice as disgraceful and horri-
bic a crime as it is in every other civilized ma
ton in the world But the slave power. tax
ing advantage Of its impunity Of fifty years
had fastened itself to the government with
hooks of steel. To the republican party
born of a perilous exigency-the country
looked for and found relief. But it sought to
accomplish nothing except through the con
sent of majority Of the people, expressed in
constitutional manner, and enacted into law
lv ri ,,+I,,rit;og
land. They took the constitution for their
measure Of political action. 1t is their strong
est support. 1t is the rock of their salvation
In the light OF unquestionable facts, how
wanton and atrocious are the accusations
which have been made against the republican
party? Its great principles misstated and fall
siticd; its leading measures Of public policy
misrepresented: its public men exposed to Ca
lumny and SANDER unparalleled in shameless
audacity-not for truths sake, not for any
worthy motive that dares be ties ted by
the light OF heayen-6ut for the purpose of
exasperating political opposition having in
view results the most alarming, and combina-
tons the most dangerous to the welfare of the
country. So far as the republican party, in
exercising the trust Of administration in
these distracted and stormy times, has
had to contend with political OPPOSE
tion, it has dealt by it with patience, dis
erection, and generosity. So far as those who
believe in its principles have had to bear the
heat and burden Of this fearful and disas-
trous struggle, they have welcomed it with
ff,s.s a al, H. 1 ~
ton of their devotion to the country in the
baptism Of every battle field of the war Yet
here in Massachusetts, where there was least
occasion to question the loyalty, either Of the
state authorities or Of the people whom they
represent, the signal Of bitter partisan war
fare was given early in the year. inspired by
personal hostilites, grounded upon misrepre-
sentation Of the public sentiment of the COM
monMSalth; but presenting no common bond
Of unity, no settled principles Of its ov n to en-
title 1t to the consideration and respect Of
honest men. Without a proyocaton, without
just cause, they have turned aside from the
great work Of the war, and invited contest
with those who support the state authorities,
which represent the administration, represent
for the time being the government itself 1t
is too late to retreat from it now, if it were
desirable. They must have it to the end.
The two parties have their candidates in the
fed-the republican party representing the
ideas, the humanity, the progress of the age
tine democratic party--the party Of opposi.
tion-representing the dangerous elements Of
compromise and submission, under which the
country drifted to the ruin from which it is
now almost dying to be saved, The republic
cans have in ions A. ANDREW candidate for
governor in whom there is just cause for pride.
Taken fresh from his profession, with little
experience in public life, he entered upon his
Unprecedented duties with tact and efficiency
which won the respect Of his enemies and the
admiration Of his friends. During the two
years Of his administrations his sagacity and
wel-directed activity have kept the state in
the front rank Of those defending the govern
ment; and no mans counsel has been moro
fir quently sought, or more generally followed
by the government itself, than his. Nor will
the gratitude Of the people Of Massachusett.
be any the less warm and cordial because he
did what he could to bring the government t.
realizing sense Of the source Of its danger
and 70 the necessity of striking more earnest