Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-07-28
Political Parties.

POuClCal fartleS.
Since the chief aim of the Union Party,
the suppression of the rebellion by force
of arms, has been practically accomplish
cd, the party discipline is somewhat re
Taxed. Meu do not now refrain from sharp
criticism of public men and measures, as
formerly, when the administration was
straining every nerve in the death struggle
with the armed foes of the country. DIFF
fcrcnccs Of opinion are already manifest
among those who were united firmly in
iayor of prosecution Of the war. Party
ties are ,isib!y looscning over the Coun
try.
The Democratic party is losing some
what of lis unity. now that Opposition to
the war;" no longer binds it together
The lend Of the war'-ana .emaneipa-
ton are fixed facts, and tie Democrats
acknowledge them freely In Kentucky
Gov. Bramlctte is canvassing the State
for the adoption of the constitutional
amendment. The old questions that have
divided the two great parties during the
last decade, no longer exist. The issue
has resulted in the final adoption of the
principles of the Republican Party
Kansas remains free the Fugitive Slave
Act-repealed. never to I've reenaeted, the
unity of the nation stablished-slayery
abolished, aud secession annihilatcd.
Other issues will be formng-new and
old questions will continually arise on
each side Of which, the people will arrange
themselves, with more or less regard to
old affiliations. Questions Of trade and
taxation, the Monroe doctrine. and other
matters of policy and principle viii he
discussed with more intelligence than
ever. Certain great questions are even
now pressing upon us for early decision.
questions tina, demand more than ordinary
thought, and will receive more careful con-
sideration than is usually given TO our
political questions.
On what terms the people of the South
shall resume their former relations with
the general government. must sooa be
settled, though perhaps it is as mnch ior
the Courts as for the people. Two theor-
les have been before the people, the SUM
ner theory, by which the States in rehell
ion went out of the Union as States, and
become simply part Of the territory lik,
any unorganizcd territory-and the Lin
coin theory, by which, the states remained
in the Union as States which of these
two theories shall be finally adjudged cor
rect will affect the whole system of recon
struction including negro suffrage. 1t
rather constitutional question than other
wise, but the people always influence evel
interpretations of the Constitution.
President johnson has recognized STATE
0 lines and State Constitutions in his plan
thus acting upon Lineoln's theory. B.
this policy he leaves the matter of ncgr
= suffrage to the several States, using ou
: his official influence to effect that.
; The Union party, while generally agree
n ing that the best interests Of the countr
t require the negro to have the ballot, is W
II divided in some measure on the President
/. plan. Many influential men oppose
II earnestly,while on the other hand, many {
a the intelligent democrats endorse it. Their
Is is no prospect of any change of policy
for the Sumner theory would exclude Ten
nessce from the Union, aud thus rendc
invalid Johnson's claim to the office h
q holds,-he in that case not being a citizc
i of the United States.
: 1t behooyes every citizen to study a
these questions attentively. Though oil
# political associations will influence the ac
6 lou Of many, yet others will act independ
emily There seems to be no good reaso
that one who has hitherto voted in the u
= ion party, should continue to do so if ii
t. party insert in their platform new planl
lie with which he does not agree. Nor on IL
g ether hand does it follow that democra
i when he really approves the President
d course, shouid vote with the oppostio
d party simply because he has heretofore.
We hope to see "a full, free and fearle,
discussions of all political questions w
!. also hope to see Independent voting on a
/. these questions, free from all party tran
Is nels.
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