Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-12-05

great victories, their peculiar position
as party must not be overlooked
II is the only great political organiza-
ton which has survived the shock of
the war. Of the parties in existence
in 1860, II alone now lives, What
was the Union party in 1860 AFTER
wards became the Republican, and
even that exists only in name, so
changed are its sentiments The Con-
stitutional Union party, or Believer
EFT organization, with its good inten-
tions, is extinct. Alone the rock of
Democracy
Lifts It's awful form,
swels from the vale and midway breasts the storm.
The Democratic organization, pre-
served through years of darkness,
doubt, and despair, by few brave,
bold souls, is, therefore, at present,
the only refuge for those flying from
the horrors of Radicalism. IL is the
sole, safe harbor and asylum for the
many good men who start back ap-
palled from the goal which Phillips,
Stevens, and Greeley point out TO
them. BY the fact, however, OF its
being the only existing opposition to
Radicalism its ultimate success, though
no less inevitable, is in some measure
retarded. 1t cannot be denied that
many now remain within the Rcpub-
lican pale, merely because there is no
other fold to receive them il they left
than the Democracy. There isa large
class of temperaments, of whom we
wish to speak respectfully, who can
not stand strong food and bright lights
of any kind. To such the Democratic
party is at present distasteful. They
recoil from Radicalism, but they can't
dijest Democracy. They would will
lingly leave the former, but they are
not hardy enough yet for the latter.
So they stand trembling within the
Republican lines, either not voting at
all, or else hesitatingly and from the
force of habit supporting policy
whose results they dare not look in
the face. The Bell-Everett party was
a congenial fold for this large class, for
such we believe it to be. There they
could air their conservatism, without
bringing it in contact with the dreaded
Democracy.
It's tint was neutral. II abhorred
positive colors. ltwas neither for nor
against slavery. The territorial ques-
tion it preferred not to be aware Of
Stdbene was its motto. And its request
TO anxious enquirers-the race Of
"earnest men" had not in those days
arisen-was, "do not tell us anything
disagreeable." Itsrange was not very
distinct or sharply defined, but it had
generally the Constitution and the
Union and the Flag, and all those
conventionalities, and in it one could
lie down and sleep and be happy, nor
dread the rude alarms of its more pro-
nounced antagonists. OF course the
quivering, fitful light which this col
orless flame gave forth was soon blown
out by the fierce blasts of the war.
Its component parts went according
to their afiinities. A few OF the bravest
came over TO the Democracy, but
large mass fed shivering back, under
cover of loyalty, to the Republicans.
During the hot passions of the strife,
all elements were sublimated into the
patriotic gas. No precipitates of con-
sorvatism were permitted 10 form.
Now the heat is dead or dying. Con-
densation is taking place, and all the
little crystals OF conservatism, of dread
of Radicalism, and Of humanity, are
beginning TO appear in the social cru
chile.
The furnace Of war being out, thcre
is no longer any power to keep to-
gether these diverse temperaments,
and the Conservative element, which
can only combine with Radicalism at
a high temperature, is slowly but
surely depositing itself To drop the
chemical metaphor, that portion of
the Republican party which respects
law, order, and the white race, is try
ing to get away from its uncongenial
past without exactly knowing how
best TO do it. The duty, then, of the
Democracy lis very plain one. While
it adheres unflinchingly to every plank
in its time.honored platform, It must
respect this tenderness and these scru-
pies, and assist them out of their
dilemma. 1t must not frighten them
off A tone of ferte, which was prop
or enough not long ago, in repelling
the insoleDt aggressions, would be
much out of place now. A fiippant
causticity or contempt for those who
have not yet mounted TO the braoing
atmosphere in which we breathe, will |
not attract them up to our altitude. |
We are thoroughly oonfdant that we
are right, and il is impossible that we
cannot make our position every day
more approachable to these reluctant
party-less but party-seeking souls.
While we cannot descend TO them, We
certainly can smooth their path and |
remove obstacles from their track. |
Every day their own allies will devel- |
op to them such traits as will be more
and more repulsive. In the meantime,
we, without offending their pride ofl
opinion, or rubbing up their prejudice,
may, by judicious behavior and accom- |
mediation, educate them gradually out
Of their weaknesses, until finally they
will come not only to eat, but to rel. !
ish the olive Of Democracy whilom so
repugnant.-Age.
General Mcclellan has decided to
remain in Europe for some months
longer, and cannot, therefore, be ex-
pected at home this Fall. or Wintor