The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-06-30
A RADICAL FLANK MOVEMENT
UPON THE LOYAL NATIONAL
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No greater proof Of the wisdom and pro-
priety Of National Convention Of genuine
"a Union men, from all sections and every
; State, could be given than the alarm and
commotion Il has created in the camp Of the
enemy. The partisan press Is furious; it
hurls adjectives with perfect looseness at the
! patriotic men who have issued the call; and
d the magpates Of sectionalism are telegraph
ing, writing, and scheming, first to- bully,
and then TO behttle the movement. We do
not wonder that fear blanches the cheeks Of
the marplots and bunglers who have risked
/. the peace Of great country, and attempted
10 tarnish the sublime achievements Of our
noble countrymen and our invincible armies.
We are not surprised that a panic has in
vaded the ranks Of the radicals; for in the
gathering OF undaunted and earnest Ameri-
cans Of the whole nation, from the whole ma
ton, and for the whole nation, who are to
meet in Philadelphia, they see the hand
writing on the wall Of time that sets their
bounds and seals their doom.
They tremble as they hear the tramp Of
the loyal thousands who are to assemble next
August. They know well that when every
State in this Federal Union sends up to the
councils Of the people its best and truest
men, with the flag Of the Republic in their
hands; with liberty and Constitution" on
-. their banners; with the godlike object of res
toration in view-to "bury the Ratchet" and
with il to entomb forever secession and
sectionalism, and on the glowing altar Of
patriotism swear fidelity and devotion to one
indestructible nation, that the uprising Of
the masses in response will be as omnipotent
against the radicalism of the North, as it was
against the radicalism Of the South. Knowing
this, the radicals have "beaten the long-roll;"
they have held council Of war;" and, as we
are informed on good authority, are to make
an unexpected move and desperate throw
for the stakes.
The leading Radicals, in caucus, we have
been told, have determined to call conven-
ton in September to make an "outand-out"
Radical platform, and put General GRANT
upon it, thinking to run in their obnoxious
and offensive programme upon the popular
ity and prestige Of their candidate. They
could not in more glazing manner have
told us Of the extent Of their fright and the
shattered condition Of their fortunes than by
this maneuvre. Political parties in their
decay clutch at epaulets as drowning men"
in their despair "catch at straws." But there
is deeper meaning in this movement than
appears on the face. Whether it is TO be
carried out remains to be seen; but that GER
tain men desire il there can be no doubt
The men who desired the South to be gov
erned as Q province; those who wish to rule
eight millions Of people as conquered sub
jects, through the power Of Congress; those
who have urged an impeachment Of The
PRESIDENT in order to depose him; and those
who are determined that there shall be no
restoration Of this Union until negro suffrage
is imposed upon the country, are in this un-
holy plot
II the convention is held, and the plan is
carried to nomination, it simply means
that the radicals intend revolution. 1t is an
attempt to carry the Fortieth Congress for
the radicals on the personal strength of their
nominee; then to keep out the eleven IN
represented States from the next Congress
and the next Electoral College, unless theii
terms are complied with; and If an issue
arises betUeen the votes cast an accordance
aoih the Constellation and the vote as pre-
sc,fbed by Congress, to haze the soord draon
and the army ranged on the side of Con
qress against the constitutionally elected Pres
ident an 1868.
That is the plain English of this radical
suggestion. II this movement should ever be
initiated, it will strike powerful blow at the
unity Of our country; it will paralyze indus
try, and so utterly embarrass the finances OF
this nation that its outstanding securities will
be rendered valueless and unredeemable. i;
Il should succeed, then civil war is as certain
as the rising of the sun, and this generation
will go down to its grave weeping over dis
tracted, warning, and devastated land. But
IL mil not succeed, for the project depends
upon the support of the bondholders and SOL
diers of the republic The bondholders want