The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-30
81. rn,nr. of the Republican Party.

Far Republican party is as a tree which has
nlanted its roots so deep as not to fear the
blasts of adverse winds. If destruction
comes, it will be the result of internal decay,
not external violence. If, then there is any
sign Of weakness evident, it is the duty Of the
members to look within, and see what has
caused it. SO far as the principles of our
party are concerned, they are its towers
of strength. 1t is the first and only party
which has seized on the great progressive ideas
of the age, and made them its own. 1t is the
only party which is of the people and for the
people; and when we talk of its overthrow,
we confess ourselves skeptical as to the ulti-
mate success of right. Despite the jeers Of
the enemy and the dolorous wailings of our
would-be friends, the trunk of the tree, to
keep up our simile, is sound it is only the
branches which have been weakened by
dininuton of the vital forces. A brilliant
and successful future is yet in store for us,
and those whs predict its early dissolution
forget on what it bases its claim to popular
support
The Republican party ia emphatiCally the
party of labor Its heart has ever beat in
unison with the workman 1t is his cham
mon and friend. Not only i5 it the advocate of
that great safeguard OF the interests of our
labor, protection, but it is the only party
which is in favor of that great principle. Were
it overcome, the wall which separates the indi-
gent and starving poor of Europe from the
thrifty and comfortable laborer in America
would be broken down. By competition all
wages would be reduced to a universal level
and it requires no knowledge to know whether
European labor would be elevated or our own
degraded. The success of the Democracy would
mean free trade, pauper competition, and a
heavy fall of wages. When the comfort OF
millions depends on our success, when the
future progress and development of our mighty
nation rests on. the decision of the contest,
who can doubt but that we will succeed The
country could not spare the Republican party
now. The country could not afford to see the
principles for which we contend defeated. Those,
then, who talk about defeat, unless we defeat
ourselves, are prophets of evil, and their dis
couraging predictions pass by unheeded.
Again, the great doctrine of our party, de-
clared by Jefferson nearly century ago, that
all men are created free and equal is one
which day by day is gaining ground. Five
years ago it was the law that if man was
black his testimony could not be received in
court of justice-as if morality depended on
the color of the skin. Who would favor
such a doctrine to-day? Five years ago
black man could not invest his savings in
lot Of ground, because no black could hold
real estate. Has that doctrine an advocate to-
day. Ten years ago all who opposed even
the extension of slavery, much less its con-
tinuance, were looked upon with contempt, as
fanatics. What man, North or South, would
have it renewed now? If therefore, by the
most decided proof of which the mind
is capable, we zee from experience that
prejudice may be overcome by education,
why should we deem it impossible or improba-
BILE that what the people are not educated up
to to-day will be favorably received by them
ten years hence 1t is WELL then, for the Re-
publican party, after mailing to its mast the
motto equal and exact justice to all men, -
to bide its time and wait until the people are
ready for its views. AS we deem the time certain
to come, it is no abandonment of our principles,
no pusillanimity, but only wise discretion to
avoid forcing issues when unprepared, rather
than wait until time shall have done for Us
what enlightenment cannot accomplish. OF the
great magnitude of the question there can be nc
doubt. Can we, then, expect that the nation
will be thrown Back half a century in
its prosperity by the defeat of the R9pub-
lcan party We will not believe it.
Again, the permanence and security of oul
national debt demands that we should continue
in power. 1t is sacred duty imposed upo1
the nation to pay its indebtedness, and the
Democracy are already conjuring up theil
brains to see how actual, if not open, repudia
tiOn can be accomplished. The honor of Anne
rica, therefore, demands that we have the
sscendanoy. Can those who have watched
the progress of our nation believe that such an
eternal stain win be allowed to soil our ma,
tional honorl
The great principles, therefore, which are
bound up in our party and which are Of snob
vital Importance to the future greatness of onr
country, are bulwarks on which we b,iIa ~
our abiding faith in the continued life Of az
Republican party. All that is requisite Co..
victory is wisdom. When, therefore yo
criticize the policy of our party leaders, we
say not word against the party. With It.
good or bad, in victory or defeat, our lot i,