The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-04-02

proval Of his ideas, according to them una
nimity Of acquiescence unknown since the
time when WAsHneros gave his farewell
counsels TO his country.
Congress alone withheld its compliance. 1t
resolved itself into caucus, and almost
mortgaged its action to O secret conclave
ruled by Messrs. SUMNER and STEVENS. With
out authority from anybody, or any constit-
uency, or the color Of right; forgetful Of the
principles on which they were elected; un-
mindful that conflict no longer ragged, they,
in the quiet hours Of peace, swayed by spirit
more unrelenting and unforgiving than had
been nurtured in the hottest moment Of bat
tie, Of and for themselves made up another
programme, improvised course Of action
unsanctoned by precedent created issues
unknown to any political canvass, and in
augurated the tactics Of delay, to the peril Of
peace and the detriment Of the national veal
Against that action we here and now enter
our solemn protest To sustain such action is
TO ignore the declarations Of the great Union
party. To advocate it, is to carry on a sec
tional combat, when sectional questions have
been buried in oblivion.
The tattered standards Of our indomitable
hosts have been brought home in glory; we
do not wish to see them carried out and un-
furled again to prolong another war. We
do not propose to fight our battles over
again as civilians, when everything vital
has been settled in the field. There can
never be finality to this contest il we are to
march up each year to the old geographical
boundary, with ballots in our hands, reviving
the passions and renewing the hatreds Of the
late conflict Such an unnecessary and un
statesmanlike perpetuation Of strife to us
seems both Objectionable and abhorrent Re
ligion with her charities, humanity withherper
suasions, America, with her waiting years o.
industrial triumphs, alike demand and appeal
that hereafter our ways should be ways o.
pleasantness," and our paths should be paths
Of peace"
We turn from the dismal legacy Of broils
COMMISSIONS and discord with which Congress
would endow us, to the epoch Of real friend
ship, unbounded prosperity and unqualified
unity to which the President would lead ui
forward. If there be any apostolic success
sion in American politics, the mantle and
the blessings with which constitutional lib
erty has been handed down the Presidential
line has fallen upon him.
The platform Of the National Union party
Of 1864 is our platform to-day. The mar
who, by the mysterious providence Of God
stands foremost among us, has incorporated
those immortal principles into his acts, and
carries them ever in his heart, and as he was
our second leader then, SO he is our first leader
now. Under his undaunted championship w
rally again for the same old cause, and unde
the same glorious flag which we have serveC
from our youth up; and we are determined
that the principles which have been bap
tised in the best blood Of two eras, which
our fathers embalmed in our great Constitu
ton, which their chivalric descendants hay,
rescued from the peril Of internal feuds, which
blazoned on the banners Of the people whei
they last recorded their national will, shall
not, II we can prevent it, in our day or gene
ration, suffer either disaster or dishonor.