Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-06-19
The Republican Party

At present this is the party tlla'
,o ct trnly represents as an organlza-
ron in our country, the great idea OF
Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity
Il is in one sense theoretically the
party Of progress, that is, holding
that principles are eternal, it believes
in applying them, from time to time,
as new occasions and exigencies shall
demand. The principles of human
equality, as stated in the Declaration
of independence, are eternal truths,
and that is the best government on
earth which best comprehends them
and applies them. All is not real
progress which is real change. Words
are nothing; ideas are everything.
The Republican ideas are Gods truths
He fights against God, who hghtS
against them. Slavery IS not only
in opposition to them, but every form
of wrong and oppression. BE not
deceived. Do not think because one
soundly denounccs human slavery, he
is a republican, or a believer in the
equality and rights of man. If he
uses his riches or opportunities to
cheat labor of its due, or to wrong the
weak and poor, his actions are those
Of the tyrant, and his principles as
bad as those OF the stakeholder
Many man who has talked eloquent
" against one form Of wrong. has
been known to practice another
Rabid abohtionists have been known
to feed their hired help on poor Wet
uaIs, and cheat them out Of their just
dues. And yet they could she'd tears
crocodile tears-over the poor dar-
key in the rice swamps. Those tears
cost nothing; good victuals, do.
Republican principles are opposed
to class legislation aud exclusive priv
ileges. They forbid lawmakers, "to
make fish of one man and flesh Of
another. THE time will come, when
those who have been loudest in their
claims to being Republicans will
change their tune, and call republic
canism, agrariani5m. and every other
bad name, because, now, that suct
giant evils as slavery have been swept
away, the people will insist on the
application Of the great principles Of
republicanism to the correction of 9th
er abuses and wrongs.
They will insist on fairness in leg
isIation,-they will set their face.
against comforting vested rights OF
monopolieS and privileged classes
and demand equality in sustaining thu
public burdens.
Does the Republican party under
stand It's work? Is it prepared f,
fill mp the measure of its duty? If Sc
well; if not so, the scepter will deDar
from Judah, and another party, witt
new leaders and a new life, will arise
to take its place and do its work.
Let not republicans think that the
can now discharge their whole dut
by giving the old dead carcas Of slave
ny an occasional kick. They must lic
at real evils and wrongs, inside or out
side of their own ranks, and prov
that the party is fit to live, because /
sees a work to do and means to DO it
The leaders af a party, Of course
give tone and charaetor. 70 a party.
Leaders are apt to become corrupt
and work for selfish ends. The,
should therefore, be often displaced
and sent back into the ranks, If the
are not willing to go there, they ar
not fit to lead. With the true patriot
everything for the cause and NOTHING
for men is the motto.
With some, it is a serious question
"will the republican party be triumph
ant next November ?" 4 more ser
oQs question isis it fit, by virtue o
fidelity to its great principles, to ruI
this nation for four years more? Thi
is the question, and let the party hec
it weII.-Rmland independent