The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-09-17
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

some two years since Hon. Henry Wilson,
in some letter or speech Of his-we do not now
recOIlect whether 1t was speech or letter
recognized the hand Of God ia the affairs Of
nations; he was pouuced upon by all the Dem
ocrattc papers, and 1t was affirmed that such
notions were little less than sacriIcglous.
We suppose we ought not to be surprised
that party which excludes all the directing
and controlling influences OF the Sovereign
Ruler Of the universe from the domain OF pol
tiles and from the policies OF human govern
ments should affect a seeming unbelef and
piouE dissent from the declaration Of the dis
tinguishCd Senator. But Mr. Wilson's idea
was sound.
Aside from all cant and all assumption, we
are satisfied that there Is a God IN the affairs
Of moH, and we think the lessons OF history
are impressively significant OF this fact It Is
clear to US that God works in and with all hu.
man agencies and human instrumcntalitics,
and nowhere are there more manifestations OF
this than in and through the governments of
this earth. Men may laugh and atheists
deride, 1t still remains n fact that there lie a
God In Israel, and that men and parties are
but His Instruments which lie combines and
uses TO work out the counsels OF His own will
The Republican party is not oaly the party
OF principle, and the party Of progress, and
the grandest party the world ever saw; but 1t
IA the party destined under Col to not only
work out the redemption OF this Land, but the
freedom and ul'imNto elevation Of universal
humanity.
Let US make brief survey Of lie Ilsc and pro.
gross. In It's incIp.cn. beginnings 1t wAsweik,
and 10 the vycs Of the proud, the lofty and
worldly powerful It wAs contemplate. l. WA
sugm't ''i'-"''Il s-'is'-"sh. IL ty'e
all, 1t steadily progressed; 1t grew TO be a
mighty power IN the Anl. II constantly
heightened its cords and Strengthened its
stakes, till to-day At stands great and he altA.
full power In the band, holding in its hands all
the InI.hty moral forces, which shall control
and shape the dCstinics Of this great nation.
Let US see what this party has accomplished
1t commenced, II you pie .sC TO -ty so, viii
one idea, but 1t was grand one. Some par.
ties have no ideas but those Of spells anil plum
der. The Republican idea was freedom Il
announced that human slavery must he re.
strictcd aud Infinitely cNtingushcl. u e.
claTcd that slavery was great moral syelAl
and political evil, and that it or freedom must
succumb When william IL Seward said that
there was an "iTFepressible conflict" he u
tered pregnant truth. It was even SO, as we
have seen. such were the principles and pro-
iessions OF the Republican party from the
start Now what has dOnel 1t has lifted
four and half millions OF chattels to free
domi II has declared their citizenship, and de-
manded and secured, 80 far as the forms of
law are concerned, all OF their indeGensible
rights. 1t has placed the ballot the frCcman's
weapoG; in their hands. 1t says that these
,,eople Of the dusky hue are men, American
citizens with all the rights and privileges OF
other men, Of other American citizens
To consummnte these things, TO make them
perfect, TO establish the rights Of all men upon
one common rni bro I'd basis, so that all shall
be equal In rights and privileges before the
law, is the work Of the Republican party, and
II will march steadily forward til this grand
end Is reached Those who look for any &c.
action that Will overthrow this party or pre-
d'ct It's downfall, tn its great mission IL ful.
allied, wiIl look In vain aud prophecy falsely.
There PeImcltes the Republican party
profound religious conviction, u Just and con.
cIen'.oIsheliefthAt righteousness cXtltcth
nations that sin Is repFOAch to any people"
The masses Of men who act with the Republi.
can party do so from a high sense Of right AL
earnest conviction and al abiding faith that
the fundamental principles Of the OrgaRizA.
ton are Justice, mercy, and truth, rs they are.
Can such a party be put down. Never. Call
II Radical, Jacobin' multiply your Upprnhrlous
epithetsi pour out the Walls Of your wrath
upon ~ hut 1t shall stand till all Its work IL
complete, and \ dlsenthraled nation Jhall sci
down under the broad and sheltering branches
OF the tree Of liberty SO mote 1t be.