The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-20
The Republican Party-Past, Present,
and Future.


From the Times
The Republican party embraced in its ranks
so large proportion of the best elements of
our American population-so much of that
which is liberal, and progressive, and freedom
loving, and national; and it had about it such
a noble enthusiasm and purity of purpose that
it seems nothing less than public calamity for
il to fall under the control Of iliberal, narrow
minded, sectional partisans, inspired by selfish
objects and governed by malgnantfe feelings.
We remember how it sprang up in 1856, aud,
putting forth Fremont as its leader, and the
Pittsburg platform as its basis of principles,
swept over all those parts OF the country not
directly and absolutely under the domination
of slavery, gathering hosts of adherents from all
partles and giving consistency and power to an
idea which, though vital to the existence of
American freedom, mad been lost sight of in the
practical conduct of Government. We remember
how again, in 1860, standing upon the Chicago
platform with Lincoln for its leader, it was
borne into power by an enthusiastic people,
controlled by tervent yet intelligent zeal to
deliver the country from the power of party
which, though protesting national and liberal
principles, was pursuing sectional policy in a
spirit hostile to the continuance of traternal
feeling and the perpetuity of the Union.
We remember how again, in 1864, with Lin
coin again as It's leader, and with the Baltimore
platform as its guiding rule, IL demanded the
support OF the country in the midst OF war, and
principles which 1t bore aloft and, by an over
whelming majority, gave it again the control of
the Government. No Republican can ever for
get the spirit which controlled the idea which
inspired the great body of the young party in
these three great campaigns; and if it were for
gotten, or if it be ignored, the platforms of the
party, and the principles upon which it appealed
to the people Tor their suffrages, remain for
reference and instruction. 1t was the party of
political Liberalism, of broad, national ideas, of
magnanimity and justice, OF progress and re-
| form and ireedom-the party of devotion TO the
Constitution-supporting at once the union of
| the States and the rights of the States. Upon
these. principles it grew to power, and by this
sign ii triumphed.
The ideas which have been foisted upon the
| Republican party OF late by men who, through
adroit management, have obtained temporary
control of IL, are in direct antagonism with
those upon which 1t was founded, and which
have guided it during the ten years of its exist
ence. They are not the doctrines of political
liberalism but OF the EXTREMIST political bigotry
and prejudlce-not the doctrines of q compre-
hensive nationality, but of an unyielding Sec
tionalism. Their principle is not that OF rigid
adhesion to the Constitution under all circum
stances, and adapting all political action to ITS
| requirements, but very loose principle of sub
ordinating the Constitution to temporary exi-
| gencies or supposed necessities-not the princi-
pie of upholding the guaranteed rights OF all the
| States in the Union of States, but convenient
| principle of denying both the existence and the
rights of States, as the necessities of party may
| require. These self-appointed leaders would
| transform the spirit as we'll as overthrow the
| established platforms of the Republican party,
I and, instead OF magnanimity and fraternity,
| would inspire it with feelings of malice and
revenge, and lead it TO destruction by pandering
| TO those passions which it is the duty of good
men to repress.
But we do not believe that such ideas and
| leaders can continue to control party with
| such elements as compose the Republican party.
We do not believe it has been really represented
| at all by the policy of the radical leaders. We
| believe that the policy of exclusion and hatred
| and sectionaiism which Stevens and Butler have
been and still are trying to thrust upon 1t, will
| be disavowed and repudiated long before this
| policy can ripen into the action which they de-
| mand. We believe that the original principles
its existence are too deeply implanted in its
being to be rooted out or crushed down by any
such means as these violent agitators have
adopted; and perhaps in the very. hou
of their apparent triumph they will dis
cover that their plans have failed, and that
their game is lost We think there are
elections in New England, that the popuGl
mind is becoming thoroughly weary of the wilC
| and dangerous schemes OF these men-weary
| with politicians who keep the Union unrestored
| States unrepresented, citizens disfTanchised
We believe that, on this subject the popular
demands upon Congress next winter will b.
| irresistible; and we say this without regard Il
| months. Congress will then have an opportu
| nifty, in its dealings with the South, to supple
| ment and reCtify its past action In aCcOrdanc
| with Justice and the Constitution; and the Re
| publican party, raising again the old standards
and showing itself equal 10 the new demands o
| the new times, win have an opportunity OF con
soldating the power which the folly of some 9
Its lie aders has imperilled. .".
Grand SIM sh af CIaVeland.