The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-24
The Path in Which the Republican Party
Must Walk.

Must walk.
The Republican party has triumphed through
principle. Its whole career has been q
living refutation OF the fallaoy that the people
OF republic voted for men and not ideas
Starting as weak, puny, and almost insignif-
cant organization, by its adhesion to what it
deemed to be the right, it attained q force
denied to its timeserviDg rival. In 1852, il IL
can be taid to have existed at all, it was in a
manner so unknown that its life was not re-
cognized. In 1856 it declared its principles,
fought the enemy, and amazed none more
than itself at the strength it displayed. La
1860, still adhering to is doctriue Of 'justice
to all men," it won. From that day to this
it has retained the control of the Governm ent,
and stood steadfast by its grand doctrine of
universal justice. But the primary idea on
which it started in its career has not, through.
out all its continued triumphs stood still. It
has grown with its growth. Like the party,
has become developed, and has been a
guiding star which led its followers in the
paths they knew not of at starting. In its first
Presidential campaign its battle shout was
opposition to further territorial extension
OF slavery. 1t did not even strike at the
existing wrong. 1t sought but to check 1t in
the future, aud keep it within bounds. But q
higher power destined an extension of this doc
trine. The war made us look towards the
abolition of the evil, and not to its restraint
1t taught US to look at the wrong square in
the face, and to consider it in all its hidsous
proportions With inspection came action,
and slavery ceased to exist. We then went
further STILL We declared in favor of restor-
ing the late slaves to perfect liberty, and we
have given them the ballot. In all the great
steps in advance which we have taken, we
have been impelled by necessity. Freedom
came, not when it was desired by a majority
Of the party, but when it was found essential
to the subjugation of tho Rebellion. We were
forced into 1t against our will. SO also with
suffrage. Had the Rebels not been so bitter
against the Union after their defeat, they
would have been restored to all their old
rights without the addition Of oas black voter
But by their persistent treason they rendered
negro suffrage a necessity. From these
lessons of the psst what are We to learn to-
day? Can the Republican party stsud still
on its march, and let suffrage be given to
the black in Virginia and be denied to him in
Pennsylvania We think not. The same
inevitable destiny which caused it to take all
of its most important steps will in time
cause it to be consistent, and give to the
blacks in Pennsylvania the same privileges
possessed by those across the Southern border.
Consistency, that great arbiter of all party mea-
sures, demands of US the sacrifice of preju-
dice to the end, and it will not be long before
the entire land will see the same uniform
principles prevail. We may not wish for it,
We may be opposed to it, but the option is
taken away, and we must walk as the spirit
leads us, as did the prophet of old. Toe
mission of the Republican party will not be
finished until it has given perfect freedom
to all.