The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-09
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
IgOn ADD1EIoNAI IooAI IrnMs SEE oursrpn PAers.l

1HB OhAhT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Op A
GRANT CLUB IN MANAYUNK-SPRECH BY WILLIAM
n, RURKEL EsQ.-A meeting of the Repubncans
Of the Twenty-hrst Ward favorable toward
organizing Grant Club, was held last evening
at Masonic Hall, Manayunk. "a
The meeting was organized by calling Mr..
James Magee to the chair and appointing Louis
ID. Blondin, Secretary.
Mr.. Magee explained the object Of the meet
ing, and then introduced William M. RunkeI,
ESQ.,, who spoke as follows:-
After a few preliminary remarks, the speaker
touched upon the negro question, and said tnat
that universal suffrage was unpopular with a
majority of the voters of the United STATES lie
referred to that issue being successfully forced
upon the party by the Democrats, and cited
Ohio as an example OF the Weakness OF the
t6e Union, but nevertheless it failed to poll
fun half Of the total vote In favor OF giving the
ieht OF suffrage to the negro He did not be-
iieye that any man who believed in the funda-
mental principle OF our Government, namely,
that all men were created free and equal, was
against the enfranchisemenL of the colored
man, but the cause was not yet popular. The
Republican party, continued the speaker, is
without doubt the party TO which the loyal peo-
pie of the country naturally clung, but in the
haste of its leaders, the victories which Justly
grasp. The question now arises, How shall we
shape our course so as to insure the completion
OF the work so well began?
In military matters, for instance, where q
small army is confronted by a large and power
ful force OF the enemy, the small army often
makes up its disparity in mum bers by strategy;
and how often have we seen where superior
forces have been wOrsted and completely de-.
fested by the smaller through this little matter
of strategy! AS in military matters, so IL now
becomes the duty of the Republican party to
act. A great portion of our people-men even
who have heretofore voted with the Republi-
can party-are opposed to some of the measures
OF our leaders; and why? It is not because
wrong, but because they regard them as i'm
practicable and premature 1t was O long
while before the masses could see the propriety
and justice Of emancipation. but when the
war developed the necessity of such action, and
the people saw Lhe nenenLs TO be derived there
from, men who had looked upon slavery as a
mere social evil advised the emancipation of
the slaves, and when the lamented Lincoln
amen echoed again and again throughout the
whole enlightened world. AS it was then, so it
educated up to the same standard that it was
after the first year of the war. Bat it is not;
that would like to see her plunged into long and
bloody war-which certainly could end to the
advantage of none-it is better, far better, that
we sacrifice tithe of our feelings than to push
on in madness, aud Bt length ruin all.
The time will no doubt come, when all men,
as with one voice, shall decree to the oolored
then they will be educated to see the Justice OF
recognizing all men as free and equal before
God and the laws of their country. But that
time is not now-nor Is 1t, perhaps, within the
to force 1t, the less are the chances success.
1t is a problem of vast Importance to the world
at large, as we'll as to our own country, and one
which, all the signs indicate, cannot be worked
out in moment but which, as the tide of
affa1fS goes onward md men become more
lghteued, will solve ITSELF
The Republican party is one of progress
When that party ceases Its industry and ranni-
1ications, that moment the machinery of pro-
gressive government halts, and the golden op-
portunities now offered to the poor and lowly
TO become men among men, with ability
enough to take care Of their own interests, will
be snatched from their grasp-perhaps forever.
The problem of universal suffrage would be
throttled before IL had life enough to make
itself heard, and all the fruits cultivated with
so much toll and labor during the past few
years would be scattered to the winds ofheaven.
Now, then, said the speaker, to place ourselves
in position to harvest these fruits. we must
De powerful-to be powerful, we must first be
This much acknowledged, the question arises,
How shall we De powerful? The root from which
our every effort as party springs is justice
Justice to all, be he rich or poor, white or black
and we can only be Just when we are powerful.
have had ample evidence that the cause of
equality is unpopular; and as the wise captain
OF a shi p will throw his cargo overheard in
storm to save his ship, that he may make an
other effort in the right direction, so should the
Republican party throw overheard now those
weights which drag the noble craft of Union
ana Doerty gradually, but surely down into
This is plain language: it may be harsh, and
by some considered unjust; but let that be as 10
may, 1t is true, and would assure every man
who wishes the success OF the Republican party
that, unless this course is pursued, our noble
craft will founder in mid ocean by the weight
which clings TO her. And now let me ask II 1t
is not better, when we see wreck and ruin
staring us in the face, TO make an effort to save
some portion than TO risk losing the whole?
i think IL is.
The speaker drew comparison between a
wrecked ship, and said the party was wrecked
If something was not done TO save it. But he
was not discouraged, nor did he believe any
earnest men were. 1t only remained for the
party to chose between total ruin and success.
If we go onward and sacrifice a few, for the
time being, we can fasten our rope to the shore
and stand the chance of saving ALL Whereas,
if we halt for the few we must fall an easy prey
to the waves which threaten to enpulf us, and.
in the end, lose everything We must select
good and wise captains to lead us; IL will not do
for us to trust those who have htld The helm,
and refused to move a point from the beaten
path they have chosen for themselves. II they
wish to go, let them 90 so alone.
New men are needed to lead the party to VIE
tory to-day, whatever else may be said to the
contrary Notwithstanding. Like the aboli-
tiOnists OF old, our old leaders are years ahead
of the people, and the sooner they overthrow
The Republican party by demanding that their
theories be carried into effect, the longer will
be the time before their Ideas become the pro-
peTty OF the masses This is hard, but never
theless true; it is patent to every man who
reads
He referred to the course of some OF the leaders
OF the party, and said he did not believe they
were as sincere as they might be in their admi-
ration OF the negro They were mistaken in
their theories: the cause of the negro Is not yet
popular, and where you would now gain the
vote OF one black man you would most unques
uOnably lose TWO white mems. Ii the same
issue was az hand In Pennsylvania to-day that
was before the people in Ohio, the result would
no doubt be the total overthrow and dtsmem-
berment OF the Republican party. Yet, should
those men who have held political places of
power and influence during the past few years
be again placed before the people, the issue
must be upon the suffrage question, simply be-
cause they have gone so far that IL will be Inn
possible Tor them to retract without eating their
own words. think this deduction at least rea-
sonable, and good argument orthe nomination
OF new men TO fiji those positions which carry
with them the authority TO work either great
good or great evil TO the nation, as the incum-
bent may elect,