The national Republican., 1866-07-16

Gen. r. W. HiDk., President Of the Army and
Navy Uuion, in q recent tpcrch before that body
laii down the doctrine that be WAS ready 10 leave
and sacrifice the intsrss Of the Republican party
uuless IL would give prs,eminsnt consideration to
the demands and claims Of "soldiera." lndios.
tious have for some time pointed that way among
our patriotic defenders they have properly esti-
mated that their services we're Of value In saving
the county from destruction and should be sppie-
ciated b"t We must cay the arrogance displayed by
Gen links 10 causi"g many to review the prepos-
ferrous claims that he, and suoh ~ bs. set up.
The Republican party was formed long before the
war. Its object was the good Of the country, aud
its distinctive and Immediate work was resistance
to the overbsaring demands OF the slave power To
this purpose 1t has he'd. Men Of ideas, and Of
courage to uphold them, have been the chosen
champions to carry on Its purpo.es, and true and
reliable men have been placed In command Of ito
important positions rs they have bsen succsssvely
taken. In the nature Of things, whom the war
trioti, at once accepted the challenge thrown down
aud has borne aloit our country's banner through
every trial. yicissituds and defeat 10 fBal triamph
and victory. 3. d.. ...-.. & .a0.
To accomplish this end ell have aided. Govern.
ors, Senators. Representatives Statesmen, clergy.
men, orators, poets, mechanics. and all, Of every
position In life, have helped on the glorious work
It 10 the . which have sustained the arm Of the
soldier and the sailor; have furnished them every
needed supply and comfort, without which their
brave and sslf-sacrihciDg efforts would have been
in vain. .r
We do not object to the soldiers making their
wishes known, and their needs apparent, to the
community but when they claim TO dictate the
policy Of the Republican party for any selfish srd,
We do object With just as much reason should
any other section OF the party claim full sway ard
he who 10 ready only TO serss the party because IL
serves his particular o,a.s, aud equally ready TO
abandon 1t wnsn hs fuds bis interest more likely
to be eared for elsewhere should be Instantly 70.
pudiated AS a leader. With all Difference We sub.
init that Il is not enough that . man should have
seen service in the army, either as an obscure or
conspicuous officer, from . second lieutenant to 0
major general, that he should be placed In respon-
sible positions entrusted with the candidacy for
higt aud Important Ofhcs.
Other things bling equal, such service is In their
favor but our demo aliEston aud dsgeneracy is
sure as party, If this is 10 be the only element
worth considering.
Parties are buit up and kept vigorous and useful
BY ids" and principles; and We shos ID venture
little In predicting that even General GRAhr, 70
mighty in the held were he In the Senate, silent
aud retcent as Is his wont would he far outs,npped
In influence by some rattissnaks Senator from
South Carolina,
All co ceded, after months, nay, years Of irreso.
luton and disaster, that mere political generals
were OF little service In conducting our armies TO
victory, One after another were set aside TIL men
used to war and resdy to Glht were put in their
places With such true men, victory was not
distant. .....
Equally foolish shall We be u we choose as our
leaders and directors OF the future policy OF ou'
party mere soldiers, however brave and distin'
Inguishsd they may he. .-
Tho Republican party has not yet achieved Ito
final triumph grssI and i'm mportant work IL bsio's
It, which will require political experence, sagacity
and talent OF the highest order. We should do.
spair did We believe the 80, sibls people Of Ma'sa-
obusstts were capable OF abandoning their noble
cause, and tarnisbing the glorious record Of its
Republican party. by allowing weak snd unskillfal
l.. ..dsrs to assume oontFol. There 10 room snongh
for sl; but for leaders give us men OF ideas anu
character. and not compel us TO toll and struggle
simply TO place men In ofice pho, proelaim In Ad-
vance that none can claim allegiance from tnsm,
uni, ss thsir programme be adopted. even though
the party SO long haloed with glorious suocsss be
swallowed up in . coPpsrhsAd vio.ory.-Bostoa
Commonwealth,