Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-03-28
Party Politics.

mere IL, at present. d Sr0dt OoaA SnOEo cdiu
about political parties. and party politics, than
common sense and common patriotism will
justify, unless some issue can be formed out
Of the state of circumstances now existing,
by which party lines may be drawn. Of
course we are not about to rsbuke journals Of
well known rebel proclivities, for thus en-.
deavoring to divert the attention Of the pso-
pie from the great cause Of preserving the
the Union, by resorting to partisan measures,
and comuring the honest public to support
treason. by appeals to their long cherished
love for the name Of Democrats. Both the
desperateness of their infamous cause, aud
their own personal meanness Of soul, render
them pardonable if not justiiable for any de-
gree Of baseness which may seem to them to
be useful in carrying forward their Internal
schemes for tho overthrow Of the Govern.
,nent Having once turned traitor, it ought
to be expected they will not hesitate TO en-
gage in things less criminal to consummate
their treason. Indeed it would be uncharita-
bic to censure them for the comparatively
small crime Of promulgating lies to inspire
partisan strife among Union men, while they
are permitted to 90 unhung for the most
heinous crime known to the law. Hence we
have not to speak of traitors.
But there seems recently growing pur.
pose on the part Of some journals which
have formerly come nanfully up to the work
of fighting treason, to draw party lines. and
make determinations on the ground Of former
political affiliations to make point Of the
antecedcnts of men, papers and measures.
This may spring from desire to meet the
partixan attacks Of secessionists. We would
gladly believe that is, in fact, the grounds of
such course Of action; for it 80, the object
is good one, however imprudent such a
course may b.. in itself. We have no fault
to find with those who are fighting the rebel
lion in good earnest. whatever be the means
they adopt. But there is certainly no neces.
sity for questions of party among true Union
men at this time. There is no matter or
measure now before the nation, on which Un-
ion men can make an issue with each other.
There il just as much sense, in asking a man
to-day whether he is Know Nothing, or a
Wing, or Federalist, "a there is in asking
him il he is Democrat or Republican. In
fact, there is more reason TO ask one If he is
Democrat or Republican for the principles
of concentrated government, which the Fed
eralists held. are altogether more intimately
connected with the present state Of the nation.
than are any Of the matters on which Demo
Gratis and Republicans differed in the late
Presidential elections, and other political con-
tests between these two organizations. The
real gist of the difference between Democrats
and Republicans, from 1854 down the begin
ming of tho present rebellion. was the ques-
ton of slavery in the Territories. But that
question is never heard of now. Neither is
any other. which was then ground Of polit-
ical difference. And no issue has sprung up
in their stead, which ought naturally to d.
vide the people ms they were then divided.
Our country is, or ought to be. too dear to
every citizen to allow its present difficulties
to 6s complicated with party chickering's
among its friends. We have enemies enough
to fight, If we wish to succeed in vanquish-
ing tho rebels in the South, and their coward
ly allies in the North. without quarreling
among ourselves about questions Of no real i'm
portancs either way. Times like the present
ought to afford sensible men source Of bet.
ter employment than fighting wind.mills.-
Portland Times.