The Portland daily press., 1863-01-28
The Republican Party.


Let it be understood once for all, no man
represents the Republican party. On this
great, stormy ocean of civil war, men rise
and sink like bubbles. IL any man might have
claimed to be the representative of the party
of progress when the Chicago convention as
sembled, it was the man who announced the
irrepressible conflict, and so doing assured
himself niche in history forever. That con-
vention passed by Mr.. Seward; the party ac-
cepting the nomination of Abraham Lincoln,
swept forward to victory. Among our generals
there was one, whose name was dear to the low
ers of liberty. Gen. Fremont is to-day with
out a command. The RepublicanSparty does
not falter, does not turn aside to waste the
precious hours, freighted, burdened with
worlds hope, in idle regrets and childish lam
entation.
This party is the party of the nation. If
General Mcclellan will lead the army of the
Union to victorious battlefields, well; if not,
Burnside: and ifnot Burnside, then Hooker.
Others may regret the loss OF McClellan's
splendid talents; SO do we. Others may adj
mire, may reverence the more than soldierly
daring, the high moral courage Of Burnside;
SO does the Republican party. But this party
will not turn its back to the enemy, and sit
down with fearful cambria to lament the loss
of any man. 1t does not ask, Who leads but,
Whittier? That man, whose sole aim is to
beat down nog these Southern bayonets ar
rayed against the national life, is the best and
the only Republican. If he have the courage
and the power to do something, he shall be
our leader, though like Butler he declare that
he is and ever will be Democrat. 1t is the
ever is for the Union with whole heart and
strong arm, is sure of its support
A brave officer in moment of passion sac
riflced a well-earned reputation, flung away
the hope Of an honorable career, for the graft
fcation Of his spleen. He was cashiered last
week. 1t is painful spectacle. Mr.. Gamer
on is accused of corrupt practices by crea-
ture who is a liar according to his own repre-
sentation, who boasts that he sold himself un-
der false pretences, promised his vote for mon
ey with intent to deceive. Mr.. Cameron may
be guilty. The Republican party concerns it.
self neither about him. nor about Gen. Porter
The people who constitute that party have
but one aim-to maintain their right of self
government against all corners. They voted
TO limit slavery. 1t was peaceful, constitu-
tionai act. Slavery rose up in arms against it.
and by arms it must be put down-put down
finally and utterly. No mans reputation can
outshine the light of this great purpose. No
mans loss or gain can be weighed against the
measureless loss of national existence Only
around the first citizen of the Republic, and
around him only by virtue of his august sta
ton, do all true lovers of the country gather.
His hands must be strengthened his coun-
sells must be informed. For his short-com-
iugs, laden as he is with so vast a weight of
responsibility, allowance must be made. He
must also bear sharp criticism; it is no time
for ceremony. In his integrity we confide
Under him this government is to continue, or
perish in revolution. Not merely as an hon
est man then, but as the President of the
United States, as the symbol of civil order
and good government, he is entitled to re-
ceive the faithful support of the Republican
party. All true men, who unite in the dis
charge of this high duty, by whatever name
known heretofore, are the Republicans of this
living, momentous present.