The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-06
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TrIunaph ont OF psfent.

III was hard to surrender Connecticut, but
the lesson of that defeat should bring us many
trlumphs. When we consider the cause.-the
enorts made to carry the State-corrupton in
the ballot and treachery in our councils-our
friends should be thanked for doing so well.
The President was against us, and with him
all the patronage of his Administration. One
Senator, Mr.. Dixon, had openly gone over to
the enemy, and was the champion of Copper
heads and Rebels against the party which gave
him all his greatness. Other leaders were
cold and faint. We had the large minority of
''the timorous, time-serving, and conserva-
tive" who behaved so badly in 1865, when
the opportunity of doing justice to the negro
was granted. What with renegades, frozen
friends, the patronage of a great Administra-
ton, and the compact, ably commanded Demo-
cratic organization, Republicanism might have
Jared worse.
The experience of all parties is, that cowar-
dice is the worst policy. An army never fights
battle in bivouac, and wherever any party of
progress quietly unfolds its tents and rests,
saying, 60 The day is warm, and the roads
heavy, and the streams are swollen, and
we are weary, and must fight no more, -
1t becomes a mob, and its work is done.
Thus it hath been, thus it always will be.
Agitation, progress, constant advances are
as necessary to its purity and strength as
sea currents and salt are to the purity of the
ocean. When great principle is at stake we
cannot gain half victory. Such victories are
surrenders for we either concede that our
enemy is right, or that we are weak. No
party can live without answering its mission.
How well our party has performed ours let
the history of these grand momentous years
bear witness. 1t has led the nation from the
I,n11 11,,., Il l. L..
transcending the hopes of its most sanguine
leaders. The aristocracy of the South has
been destroyed. Labor has been taken from
the loom of Carolina cotton-felds; and even as
we found her, lashed and torn, and much
begrimed and shackle-chated, and not
comely to see, she has been crowned with
diadem and clothed with purple, and sits in
the very gates of freedom. Our flag no longer
bears dishonorable stars. 1t means freedom
to black man and white. 1t must also mean
universal liberty and impartial suffrage, that
he who digs may govern, that the hand which
holds the hoe is not unworthy the ballot.
Were it's history to end here, we might
proudly close the record. But it must not be-
We have done much; we must do more. Our
enemies say that our party was consequence
of the war, and should die with peace. There
is no peace until every probable cause of war
is removed. So long as wrong is possible, so
long as pernicious theories are nursed in Court
and Cabinet like serpent's eggs, to hatch new
treason when sunshine comes again, so long
as II necessary for the swords of Sheridan and
Sickles to remain unsheathed, the Republican
party is war party. We are nearer peace
now than at any moment since the surrender
of Lee; and if we only stand firm, we shall
have reconstructed Union before many
months. The danger is that we may at
any time relapse, undoing all we have done,
and, instead of the prudent and healing reme-
dies of Congress, have the dreadful quackeries
of the President and those who advise him.
There is danger from the enemy and from our
selves. Nothing tries an army more than
a victory. To be resolute in danger is courage
to be resolute and patient in victory is re-
ligion. There are so many temptations
spoils of office-ambitions, iealousies. We
dread more from those Republicans who re-
main with our party to feed with it, who
came to it in the hour of victory, and who
have no aim beyond plunder-the suffers, and
quartermasters and camp-follOwers of Repub-
icanism-than from any combination of the
Democracy. The Republican party was never
so great as when it fought Mr.. Buchanan and
his patronage without an ofice-holder in it's
ranks. 1t never made more gallant battle
than when it fought Mr.. Johnson and his
Office -givers, defeating him in spite of his
power and prescription. Were it to go into
opposition tomorrow, it would be purified and
would bring, by the mercenaries running from
it like the swine possessed with devils.
Because of this we are anxious that the
party should be thoroughly organized. Above
all things, let there be no surrender no re-
treat, no compromise, no abatement of our
high purpose. Henceforth the motto should
be Universal Liberty and Impartial Suffrage,
regardless of caste, race, or color. Let this be
our test-our watchword and battle-cry. If
there are any who are faint hearted and
timorous-who dread to do what is right--if
there is any poor devil who would rather bur-
row in his otfice-if there is any one who
shrinks from entering upon this campaign
let him step from the ranks, now that we are
forming, and go to the enemy. This principle
will bring victory to us and peace to
all the land. Without justice we die,
or live life more terrible than
s death. Let our friends unite, and
canvass, and reorganize. When captains are
unworthy, or timd or time-serving, let them
be cashiered. Where Senators seem more
anxious about missions, and iudgeships, ano
cosy places, and fear to say yes or no becaus,
of Presidential frowns, leave them, and tax,
men whom we can follow. We lost Connect
cut by timidity and cowardice. We only de
serve victory when we are worthy Of it
Victory that comes by compromise, or conces
sion, or time-serving, disgraces and wound
n Republicanism. Rather than see sucl
triumphs, we would prefer to have the radica
party go back to what it was ten years ago
We have the power, and we should not shirl
the responsibility. This was done in 1865
\ hence the defeat in Connecticut. If we con
tinue to do so, nothing can come but disaste
and disgrace. The battle IS nO'o for uatrersd