The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-08-21
PRESENT AID FUTURE OF PARTIES



EDIToR GATE ClrY:. The rebellion was
crushed principally through the mental and
physical energy Of the Republican party.
ASS rule al who engaaedlto aid thoroughly
in the war for the Union, became, for the
time, at least, Republicans in effect, acting
with that party. As long as the war lasted
their active CO operation could be relied upon.
The war at an end, its spirit yet fingers in
the land As long y that spirit remains the
party may be tolerably safe in calculating on
the suffrage Of the truly loyal men, who have
/. learned to abhor treason and rebels above all
other calamities, either actual or threatened.
But the nature Of man is inclined to for
giseness Of their enemies when they no long
err oppose; and to forget the past through the
absorbing influences Of the present.
The Republican party that ei--'eo Aora.
ham Lincoln, the first t'--e, WAS composed OF
H. a,--.rd to the extension Of
~. H. power. That which elected him
.ae second time was composed Of those who
were determined to save the nation and
maintain its honor against all traitors and
their Vaccinations.
The latter, included with the former, the
mass of loyal men throughout the nation,
who, throwing aside all minor conflicts, had
become enlisted in this grand struggle for
national life and honor. The struggle over,
the victory won, is il unreasonable to sup
pose that new interests and influences will
spring up to divide the parties of the coun-
tryy In the present all.absorbing suffrage
question, the spirit of the war fingers, and
parties are pretty much divided Is during the
war. Until this is set at rest, the present
status Of parties may be maintained But If
the Democratic party had the good sense to
abandon the name they have disgraced, and
let the suffrage question 90 by default, how
long would it be before the Republican party
would split on questions Of public policy
How long would it be until those who have
been legislsting defenses about their power,
as against rebel infraction, would End the
same barriers between them and the very
party power they now strive to make per-
petual2
Even with oil the pressure of the rebel in
fuence, including Mr.. johnson and the De>
mocratic party Of the North, the interests OF
the East aud West got at war in the last Con.
gress, on the wool question. Think you that
If the Southern States were reconstructed
speedily, under the present military bill,
las they certainly will be, but would more
readily and harmoniously If the Democratic
party would cease their impotent ho,rling, J
that they would not send up . delegatioa to
Congress united for all Southern and West
ern interss? If you do, either you or are
mistaken.
i Thsn when the stdemanded confiscaaion
OF Southern lands and taxation of cotton,
under the cry of "no monopoly of agricultu,
raj production in the lands," heSouth would
answer "no vested privileges to capital, nor
partial taxation Of the products of agricul-
luren
1t is only my opinion, but believe that If
the members Of the Democratic party were
only endowed with more sagaci,y and less
pride, they have il in their power to control
the next Congress, if no, the next Presiden-
tial election. But none are 30 blind, DC.