Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-12-01
The Duty of the Republican Party.

republican party, for at least the next
two years. This result has been ow-
ing not so much to the conviction of
the people that the republican party
is perfect, or has done all that was
expected of it, or all that it might
have done. as to the fact that the DEM
ocratic party had nothing to recon-
mend it to the favor of the voting pop
ulation of the country. The large
votes given for candidates like Sey-
mour and Blair, with such a record
behind them as the democratic party
have made for themselves for the last
eight years, is the highest evidence
that the republican party has not
done for the country all, or the best,
that it might have done; and now that
it has an opportunity of administer
ing the government until another
election, it should not lose sight for a
moment of the duty which this elec-
ton has cast upon it. This duty is
not to maintain itself in power, to dis
tribute Offices and patronage 10 It's
friends and supporters, to give the
spoils to the victors, to favor one
friend with a fat contract and anoth.
er with lucrative appointment; bu5
the paramount obligation which the
party owos the country for this tri,
umph, Is to administer the govern.
ment in the interests of freedom, Sc,
curing to every person in the whole
extent Of the country the largest liber.
ty of every kind which can be enjoy
ed by any one without taking from
another the enjoyment Of the life, lib
erty and pursuit of happiness which
he claims for himself. No govern
ment should be administered in the
interest of a party or class. The
triumph OF party should never be
construed as the triumph of men, but
always as the victory of principles
If the republican party has anything
to distinguish it from the party which
voted for Seymour and Blair, it is its
honesty, and it's loyality-as that
word has been used to distinguish be
tween those who preferred the triumph
of freedom to the triumph of slave
~ III the late war. The people knew
it had done better in the past,and they
had confidence it would do better il
the future than the democratic party
This good record, and this faith il
its future gave 1t victory. 1t mus
now use that victory with the utmos
fidelity to its pledges, and with a sin
gle eye to the good of the country, o
it will deserve the condemnation whicl
will surely overtake it if it fails t.
answer the expectations OF the pee
pie.
No party ever hada tairer futur
before it than now waits upon tn
pal ty which has just elected Grant
1t has triumphed il three successiv
national elections. 1t has preserve
the nation from destruction as a fire
republic. While its record is not spo
less, it is yet emblazOned with tn
grandest achievements that ever lllu:
trated the annals ofany party. EmaI
cipation, the subinist achievement o
this century, was its work. In spit
OF the pistols OF the assassin, and th
treachery of Johnson, 1t Las lnsisto
on making anticipation somethin
: more than u name. Eminent men,wh
, claimed To be leaders in its rank
, have attempted to stop its march, an
break its solid trout, but it has lie
them soiled in the mire of their Ow
, treachcry, has closed up its ranks al
7 steadily advanced. And it has now,t
0 "a grand movement all along the lin
h carried its flag once more to dec
sive triumph,
But this victory must not be mea
: inglesS. The party must not be OIL
It OF high resolves, only, but ii must ho
V estIy carry out in its adminiStratiC
a its principles. 1t must be pure al
/ honest. 1t must keep clear from eve
" the suspicion of corruptly adminiSte
: ing the government. 1t must turn
e deaf ear and a cold shoulder to &
Ii opportunities of the thousands of 81
II dierS of fortune, who will ask for
reward for political service. 1t mu
keep Swindlers ana peculators al
thieves out of office. 1t must reior
=, the administration Of the governme
d and make the virtue of honesty
e prime value in every department
public affairs. 1t must set itself abo
N the business OF taking care of t
n country, and let the men who folio
O. its victorious march for the plund
,r they hope TO find in its train, und
ID stand that the government does L
r. feed hungry Adventures, but emplo
# itself in the decent work of consult
" the public good, and making and {
# miniStering the laws for the vast p(
,c ulations which now, and shall here
" ter, inhabit the unreasonable terri
ry between the Atlantic and Pacif,
And it must never forget that it
the party OF progress, the party
new ideas, the party that ever ASA
- all forms OF despotism and caste a
a. privilege, and work for an expandi
k and progressive humanity-th the pa
OF that learns everything, and is l
IF ashamed to forget the knowledge Il
,o the new age has shown to be usele
" Its faith Of to-day shall thus beco
re its experience of tomorrow, while
X new day shall ever bring to it's hal
rs new work, and to its brain new id,
nd as It's eye sweeps wider horizon, a
the wants and possibilities of t