The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-21

No party in free country like this was
ever built up or broken down hy misrepre-
sentation and abuse. The people, capable as
they are of sclfgovcrnment, are in the habit
of examining principles and measures care
fully, and of estimating public men according
to their real merits. 1t seldom happens that
they are so excited or prejudiced as they are
supposed to be by orators and presses that
assume to lead them.
No party in this country was ever so mis-.
represented, maligned and abused as the Re
publican party. This party has calmly en-
dured all this for the last twelve years, and
has gone on growing in numbers and power,
until it holds in its hands all the great in
terests and the destiny OF the country. In
this State this party is in its infancy. 1t is
barely twelve months old; yet it has ex-
cited more interest encountered more abuse,
and achieved greater victory than any par
ty has ever done in our State history.
What does this prove? 1t proves, in the
first place, that it is a party of principle
secondly, that these principles are such as to
commend themselves to the judgments and
has men as the opponents of these principles
who are possessed of uncommon fortitude,
intelligence and courage.
This party asks only for fair trial. 1t is
willing to be judged by its acts. 1t is a
great popular party, devoted to the Constl-
tuition and the Union. Its guiding star is
liberty for all, and civil and political equali-
ty for all. 1t proposes to give every one
fair start in the race of life, and let each
one succeed or fail according to his merits
the people themselves being the judge. One
of its first aims will be to develope the re-
sources of the State. 1t will do this for the
good of all. Steadily, industriously, intel
ligently 1t will address itself to the great
work of building up North Carolina. Other
States have been made rich, and influential,
and powerful, and their people contentcd
and happy, by just such men carrying out
just such principles. North Carolina has
immense powers of recuperatiOn. What has
been done elsewhere. under greater natural
disadvantages than our people have to en-
counter, will be done here also. The people
of this State-and especially the poor peo-
ple-those who are struggling with adversi-
ty, and striving to do something for them
selves and their children, will yet thank
God that the Republican party has prevail
ed in North Carolina.
Nor is this party going to be sickly,
canting, sentimental organization. 1t is
party of brains, and Drawn and muscle-of
practical vigor, of energy, of directness of
purpose and action. 1t will stand by its
principles as Grant did by the flag till Lee
surrendered and it will wicld its energies in |
its own behalf and for the good of the peo-
pie as Richard the Lion did his battle axe
against the infideI. 1t docs not mind abuse,
or ridicule, or calumny, or falsehood. AS it
is not controlled by passion, so it is not at
fected in its course by the malignant pas
sions of others. Let our opponents remem-
Der this when they abuse and revile US. They
only injure themse Ives in so doing. They
can not hurt US. The Republican party
lives. 1t controls the State. 1t makes the
law. 1t is paramount. 1t is of all and in
all that belongs to the State and to the peo-
pie A: and its mission is to live on, to prosper
and flourish, to labor for the great interests
of Liberty and Humanity, and to make
North Carolina one of the greatest States in
all respects in the Union.