The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-01-18
THE GROWTH OF REPUBLI-
CANTSM

Only a few years ago the Anti-Slavery sen.
mept, which now pFsdOminateS in nearly
three rourths of the States of the Union, wa'
confined almost entirely to the rocky ant
sterile regions Of New England. It did no
dare to leave her mountain fastnasses anC
valley eoyerts, for It's Puritanical odOr woult
havp aroused the nobility Of Oyen the Middle
States, like the scent Of blood srOuseS a pack
Of hungry wolves. As many other generous
and noble motions Of sympathy and pity
with and for the unfortunate and down-trod-
den, it would have passed away like TIE pitt,
ful s1eVsions Of q spasmodic philanthropy
accomplishing nothing, had not the sad bni
enlightening experiences Of 4 fonE years war
taught the people Of the nation the limislesS
malignities Of the slave power. In guilty 81
leree they beheld the hoirid monster Of Sla-
very riot upon the happiness, hopes and lives
OF a helpless part Of the human raeo. They
even recognized this as no violation Of moral
ARd Christian principles bu: when, upap-
psaSed with this infection Of TretshsdnesS
and misery, 1t sought to subvert their gov
With the strength Of 4 Hercules,
they embraced the Anteus aud terminated
its ntrocious career.
To-day, four millions Of people are free
that we're in bondage four years ago, aud
made tree by those who either openly adVO-
Gated or tacitly endorsed the doetEins Of hp.
man Ssryitude.
Who, with Sny security Of HA, sould have
avowed himself Republican on our streets
At any time before the War7 Who could
have denounced slavery as an AbominAtion
and erims7 Who could have advocated its
restriction to the States and It's prohibition
in the Ferritoriss2 A coat Of tar add Geath-
srs would have inevitably followed such d.
glSratiOns, and this treatment would hare
been sanctioned BY the entire community.
But now, bow oh angedl The pTo-Slayeryist
is jusl as odiouS as the Emaneipationist used
10 be. Other communities, we confess haze
ou,stripped our own in the progress Of Po-
liicaI refOrmAtiOni bat taking eur own as
an example we may truth! July sIdaim, What
a marvellous revolution in public sentiment
History furnishes ne parallel to II.
Free and liberal RepubIieAnism is no long
Or an insane and impraetieable idea agita-
ting the minds Of a few fanatics 10 the East
bat the prevailing sentiment Of the people
Ind thoroughly incorporated into their gov
,rnment system. It has abolished all dis
motions and iristoeraeies, save those found
I'd on character and talent, and will tolerate
no other. II has BUNDLED the naughty,
whose preteutiOus displays we're but bubbles
on the sea, and exalted the poor and msri:o.
rious. Il has invested manhood With its
true dignity and greatness; and to msFi: it
has given lie just rewards. And RsJubli.
eaniSn will make Of America what ProVi-
dsnes intended Il should be-A land free not
snly In name bat In reality.
THE FORTIETH CONGRESS.
Il h nov substantially determined that we
are 70 have The FOrtisth Congress assembled
On the tth Of March neat. The Senate re-
Gently passed NE House bin for hstpurpOss,
with ansndnsnls that the House will concur
in bsyOud doubt Il Il said JohnSon win Ap-