Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-17
Party and Principles.

Under this heading the Norwich Conn., 20 N5ter,
one Of our ablest exchanges, says
We believe in the republican party, advocate the
republican party and strive for the success Of the
republican party, because We believe in, advocate
and strive for the SUCCESS of its essential principles
These principles radical, inasmuch az they are
thoroughly and truly democratic and to give them
influence and efficiency they must be the centre and
life OF political organization. Hence, and hence
only the necessity for party-a republican party.
This party must submit to the difficulties and dan
gers which in the nature of things beset and plague
all parties. It must and will from time to time,
have men and measures foisted upon it and con-
nected with it that are troublesome; but which in
no wise belong to its substantial character touch
It's genuine vitality. Whilst It is overwhelmingly
dominant, soldiers of fortune, ambitious asprants
for petty and high Offices spectators and ntrigu-
ers with Vulnerable axes to grind idoatOrs of pet
and impractieabe theories for reformingt the human
race generally, in the tBinklng OF an eye-every-
body and everything that hopes TO use mighty ma
chinery for special personal ends viii flock to its
banner and insist upon being recognized in its ranks
and be- very likely, among its most vocferous agi-
tators.
Here is an evil but not an unprecedented evil !;
not an evil peculiar to the ascendsnoy of the popu
lar majority that has administered public affairs
for the past eight years It ought not to disturb or
brighten those who read history Alright understand
how the world gets progressively in the long
Yet have alsrmists, ever anxious for the fate of
the republican party; ever troubled lest it should
meet with some temporary or real discontinue;
ever nervous ard feverish if anything is said or
done that may ALLEVIATE, sides issues, few votes
These innocent malcontents and croakers play into
the hands Of the " opposition
1t is precious moonshine, the whole Of this pro-
phecy-whether it come from the lips Of weak
friends or from those of persistent enemies.
TIE principles Of The republican party are sure 70
triumph for they represent the prisepLss Of our free
institutions, the ideas of the age, and the motive
force of advancing civilization. They are the an
tagonists of caste systems and u1onopolies, Of the
tyranny of the few over the many, o. aristoerstic
violations of inaiienabls human rights In this
fact resides their inherent strength I'd shar unas-
ssilsblo life. They the rallyng cries OF revo-
luton the world over, and revolution cannot go
backward. Why should faith in them waver2 Why
should they cease to be cherished az immoyable
convictions Especially why should there be any
dstrust Of their potency in crises that seem like
convulsions2 Are we to learn no lessons from the
experience Of the paat2 In this country these
principles have been already subject to the severest
of ordeals and the heads, hearts and strong right
arms Of the people rushed to their rescue What
has been, will again be- whenever there is noed of
manifestation Of popular devotion 10 the cause of
equal justice Impartial laws and constitutional lib
erty. The party consecratcd TO the maintenance
and defence Of this cause cannot fall unless human
nature is 20 prove false TO lis noble5t instincts and
refuse TO accept the grandest opportunities.