Weekly Trinity journal., 1868-03-07
[From the calaveras chronicle.1
The National Republicans.n

The campaign of 1867, which eliminated in
the disastrous defeat of the Union party on tie
4th of September last, should have taught its
members lesson not soon to be forgotten. En-
tering the contest with all the prestige which a
long continued succession of victaries could
give battling upon platform which had its
foundation in the hearts of the people and forti-
ned BY right, justice and humanity, no party
ever unfurled its banner to the breeze with
brighter anticipations or more confident hopes OF
success. For years the party had presented q
soho, unnroken 'front.' to the foe, cemented to.
gether with love for republican institutions and
| desire to preserve our national unity. It was
the palladium of our liberties the bulwark
which arrested and rolled back the angry waves
OF the tide Of secession which threatened to bury
| us in national oblivion. It carried our banner
in triumph from the Potomac to the Rio Grande,
from Atlanta to the sea, crushed to the earth an
aristocratc oligarehy and struck the manacles
from millions of serfs. II has developed the
fact that we possess resources unbounded
placed US in proud position among the might
lest nations of the earth and gives US q name
which commands respect everywhere. 1t has
ever been the party of progress why has its ad-
vance been checked? The reason is too obvious
to necessitate elucidation. That "a house d.
vided against itself cannot stand" was painfully
exemplhed by the result of the campaign last
Fall Schemiug politicians, anxious only for
their own preferMent, determined if they could
not rule to ruin the party, succeeded in accom-
plishing the latter portion of the programme.
| With skill in the art of assembling which
would have reflected credit upon the arch fend
himself, they masked their designs under a cloak
of hypocritical "purity," and by distracting the
attention of the people from the main issue in
| volved, created a schism in the ranks of party
which had never befoEe faltered. By base accu-
sations Of those who received nominations they
impaired the confidence of the rank and file of
their leaders, and by creating feeling Of dis
trust and suspicion, the indecision and inactiv-
ity which followed led to defeat The disor-
ganizers accomplished their dirty work under
the name and guise of National Republicans"
The name was enticing and many who were dis
satisfied with portion of the regular nominees
voted that ticket. All know the result of the
detection. 1t handed the State over to the Cop
perheads, the design of the National Repub-
icans" when they formed their organization.
Has any one ever heard an individual who be-
longed to that party, or a paper which advo-
Gated its course, express regret at the result? ?
Never. During @the entire canvass, while pro-
Tossing to represent the true Union sentiment of
the State, they openly declared their preference
for Haight. They worked for his election, and
desired no other result. Fay, Nickerson, Wood
and their coadjutors are responsible for the de-
feat of the Union party. Having succeeded be-
ing the State under the control of the Demo-
Gratis, the supposition that they would now bury
the hatchet and return to their allegiance, is
natural. We sorry to see, however, that
such is not their intention, and that they are
determined to work all the mischief in their
power. At recent meeting of this "pure" Or
ganization, held in San Francisco, they refused
to affiliate with the order of Freedoms Defend
ers: the ground that those who "opposed
George c. Gorham were prescribed by that
der" For the purpose of removing the least
shadow of reason for separate action on the
part Of the National Republicans, the follow
ing resolution was unanimous adopted by the
Central Council Of the order Of Freedoms De-
tenders
~ Resolved, That in the organization oe Free
dom's Defenders there is no design t. prescribe
any party or individual, who is loyal to the
Union or Republican party, for past political ac-
ton, and that extend cordial invitation to
all who are willing to endorse the preamble to
our constitution and assist in the objects of our
the last Presidential election, or would have so
voted if opportunity had presented"
The preamble alluded to reads as follows:
"This organization, created solely for politi
cal purposes, shall be known and designated as
Freedoms Defenders
/" Its objects shall be- To sustain the Ameri-
can Union to protect the liberties of the peo-
pie; TO extend equal justice to all men to ex-
alt loyalty and patriotism to promote an hon.
orable standard Of political action and to har-
monize and combine all who sympathize with
the principles and measures of the National
party of Freedom and Progress
The main object of the organization of Free
dom's Defenders to heal the dissensions
existing in the Union ranks and unite the party
upon platform broad enough for all loyal men
to stand upon. The action of the so-called
." National Republicans" in refusing to coalesce
evnces disposition to continue q course which
has already resulted in defeat and which will
certainly lead to utter annihilation. We are
upon the eve of an important contest The
Democrats are already busily engaged in whip
ping in stragglers and disciplining their forces.
We know from bitter experience that we have
powerful foe to contend with. Flushed with
victory, they will not be easily vanqushed. If
We carry this State next Fall it must be by CON-
bined, harmonious action. Our forces must be
unit, undivided in purpose and prompt in execu-
ton. The recent revolutionary action of the
Democratic Legislature of Ohio in attempting to
recind the amendment to the constitution, shows
the anmus Of the party, and should open the
eyes Of the people to their danger. The election
of a Democratic President would undo all that
we accomplished during the war. The vote of
California might avert such calamity. Shall
we have it2