Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-08-12

sions to which they owe their elevation
And they clamorously insist that they are
the only friends of our Union-a Union
that can only have sure foundation in fra
ternal regard and common desire to pro-
mote the peace, the order aud the happi-
ness of all sections of our land.
Events in Congress since the ad djourn-
ment of the Convention have vastly in
creased the Importance Of a political victo-
ry by those who are seeking to bring back
economy, simplicity, and justice in the ad-
mnistration of our national affairs. Many
Republicans have heretofore clung to their
party who have regretted the extremes Of
violence to which it has run. They have
cherished faith that while the action
of their political friends has been mistaken, :,
their motives have been good. They must
now see that the Republican party is in
that condition that it caunot carry out
wise and peaceful policy, whatever its mo-
tives may be. 1t is a misfortune, not only
to country but to governing party itself,
when its action is unchecked by any form
of opposition. 1t has been the misfortune
Of the Republican party that the events Of
the past few years have given it so much
power that it has been able to shackle the
Executive, to trammel the Judiciary, and
to carry out the views of the most unwisc
and violent of Its members. When this
state of things exist in any party, it has
ever been found that the sober judgments
of its ablest leaders do not control. There
is hardly an able man who helped to build
up the Republican organic alton who has
not, within the past three years, warned it
against its excesses, who has not been borne
down and forced to give up his convictions
of what the interests of the country called
for: or, if too patriotic to do this, who has
not been driven from its ranks. If this
has been the case heretofore, what will be
its action now with this new infusion of
men who, without decent respect for the
views of those who had just given them
their positions, begin their les islative Ca
reer with call for arms, with demands that
their States shall be regarded a sina conli-
tiOn of civil war, and with declaration that
they are ready and anxious to degrade the
President of the United States whenever
they can persuade or force Congress to bring
forward new articles of impeachment.
Tie Republican party, as well as we, are
interested in putting some check upon
this violence 1t must be clear to every
thinking man that division of political
power tends to check the violence Of party
action and to assure the peace and good
order of society The election of a Demo
cratic Executive, and majority of Dono-
cratic members to the House OF Rcpresent-
atives would not give to that party organl-
zation the power to make sudden or violent
changes, but it would serve to cEeck those
extreme measures which have been deplor
ed by the best men OF both political org an
izations. The result would most certainly
lead to that peaceful restoration of the
Union and re.establlshment of ira;ernal re-
lationship which the country desires. l
am sure that the best men of the Republ
can party depore as deeply as | do the
spirit of violence shown by those recently
admitted to seats in Congress from the
South. The condntion of civil war which
they contemplate must be abhorrent to
every right thinking man.
l. nave UO uieTc ptISOudi "iShro "uiCu
mslead my jud !ment in regard to the pen
ding election No man WHO has weighed
and measured the duties of the Office of
President of the United States, can fail to
be impressed with the cares and tolls of
him who is to meet its demands. 1t is not
merely float with popular currents, with
out policy or purpose. On the contrary
while our Constitution gives just weight
to the public will, its distinguishing feature
is that it seeks to protect the rights of mi
norities. Its greatest glory is that it puts
restraints upon power. 1t gives force and
form to those maxism aud principles of
civil liberty for which the martyrs of free
dom have struggled through ages. 1t de-
clares the rights of the people
ito be secure in their persons, houses,
land papers against unreasonable searches
"and seizure. That Congress shall make
mo laws respecting an establishment of re-
''lision or the free exercise thereof, or
"abridging tn freedom of speech or Of the
'press, or the right of the people to petition
''for redress of grievances. 1t secures the
"rght of speedy and public trial by an
"impartial jury.
No man can rightfully enter upon the
duties Of the Presidential office, unless he
is not only willing to carry out the wishes
of the people expressed in constitutional
way, but is also prepared to stand mp for
the rights of minorites. He must be
ready 10 up hold the exercise of religion.
He must denounce measures which would
wrong personal or home rights, or the reIi-
gious conscience of the humblest citizen of
the land. He must maintain, without dis.
tinction of creed or nationality, all the priv
ileges of American citizenship.
The experience of every public man who
has been faithful to his trust teaches him
that no one can do the duties the office
of President, unless he is ready not only to
undergo the fasehooGs ard abuse of the
bad, but to suffer from the censuro of the
gold who are msled by predjudices and
misrepresentation There are no attrac-
tions in such positions, which deceive my
judgment, when say that great change is
going on in the public mind. The mass Oft the
Republican party are more thoughtful, tenn
perate and Just than they were during the