The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-15
The Union Party ON its Trial.

From The Times.
In the hottest periods of partisanship the
American people have seldom disregarded the
impulses of patriotism. Their zeal for party
leaders and party platforms is tempered by u
devotion to their country. For that they are
prepared to sacrifice everything. And unless
that be the controlling consideration in party
movements, and the paramount end OF party
effort, they promptly withhold the support
which is essential to party success.
To this circumstance, and this alone, the mar
yellous success of the Republican organization
during the progress of the recent terrible con-
test is attributable. The Democracy, as partisan
organization, was held to have forfeited the con-
fdence OF the people. 1t was regarded as more
or less friendly to the influences which ins pired
the Rebellion; its purposes were subjected to
constant susplcion; its leaders were tainted with
a supposed completely with the authors OF the
secession movement; and as a consequence its
party history was q succession of ignomlnous
defeats. At the same time, reasons or a pre-
csely opposite character secured the triumph
of the Republicans. While the Democrats were
driven of the stage as the accessories OF seces-
sion before the fact, and the secret aiders
and abettors of the war against the Union,
the Republicans everywhere throughout The
North were associated with the Union,
as its defenders, and as the party upon whose
victory at the polls depended the final triumph
OF the Union arms. The contrast between the
ledged and acted upon wherever love for the
Union prevailed Ordinary considerations OF
parusanship disappeared before the great ma
tional eXlgency Whatever their former atfilla-
tiOns and preferences, Union men rallied to the
support OF the party whose leaders were
engaged in putting down the Rebellion. The
Democracy degenerated into laCion, COM
paratively. insignificant in numbers, running
counter to the current OF popular sym
pathy, and on nearly all occasions embar-
raised by a load of false pretenses. The
Republicans, on the other hand, who elected
Abraham Lincoln as party chief and at the
beginning of the war were known principally as
party organization, lost sight of minor issues,
and merged partisan Republic anism in patriotic
Unionism. From party clet Mr.. Lincoln was
converted INTO the national leader. From the
level of a party organlzatlo IN, ReOublcanism
advanced to the power and dignity OF the Union
cause; deriving its strength trou tue evidence il
gave OF devotion to national unity, and LAYING
the foundations OF its future power in the hearts
of people to whom the Union had become the
symbol Of natic Ial lite.
party possessed of so much moral strength
has little to fear save from an abuse OF its owl
power. II it have a just appreciation OF its re
sponsibiltties and capacty to cope with pro
blems arising out OF the war, it may conddentl
DEFY all assaiants. But il must display thes
conditions or 1t will fall and failure in such
case means humiliation, disgrace as well a
defeat.
Thus far, it must be admitted, a majority @
the Union party in Congress, since the commence
ment of the present session, have not fulflle
the expectations OF the friends of the Unlo
throughout the country. Faction has too ofte
usurped the place OF patriotism. Radical thee
ries have impeded constitutional action. Inst
lence has dictated terms to reason. The state
manship that would restore the harmoniou
working of all the States within the Union, an
so restore the Union to more than its origins
grandeur, has been retarded-1e will not sa
frustrated-by the dogmatsm and audacity
men whose sole title to distinction rests 700
their ability to prolone the reign of chaos