Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-02-08
The National Republicans

eA1e TN VI OepteulDeI last, sLOuiu uo ose e"o6As
its members lesson not soon to be forgotten.
Entering the contest with all the prestige
which long continued succession OF VIC
tories could give; battling upon platform
which had its foundation in the hearts OF
the people and fortified 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 solid, unbroken
front to the foe, cemented together with love
for republican institutions and desire to
preserve our national unity. 1t was the
palladium of our liberties-the bulwark
which arrested and rolled back the angry
waves of the tide of secession which threat
ened to bury US in national oblivion. 1t
carried our banner in triumph from the
Potomac to the Rio Grande, from Atlanta to
the sea. crushed to the earth an aristocratic
oligarchy and struck the manacles from mil
lions of serfs. 1t has developed the fact that
We possess resources unbounded, placed US
in proud position among the mightiest ma
tions of the earth and given US name which
commands respect everywhere. 1t has ever
been the party of progress; why has its .ad-
vance been checked: The reason is too OBJ
vious to necesitate elucidation. That ga
house divided against itself cannot stand"
was painfully exempli6ed by the result of
the campaign last Fall. Scheming politi-
clans. anxious only for their wn preferment,
determined if they could not rule to ruin the
party, succeeded in accomplishing the latter
portion of the programme. With a skill in
the art Of assembling which would have re-
fected credit upon the arch fend himself.
they masked their designs under a cloak of
''purity," and by distracting the
attention of the people from the main issue
involved. created a schism in the ranks of
party which had never before faltered. By
base accusations of those who received NOM
nations they impaired the confidence of
the rank and file of their leaders, and by
creating feeling of distrust and suspicion,
the indecision and inactivity which followed
led to defeat. The disorganizers accom-
plished their dirty work under the name and
guise of National Republicans" The name
was enticing and many who were dissatisfied
with a portion of the regular nominees voted
that ticket. All know the result of the de-
fectlon. It handed the State over to the
Copperheads, the design of the National
when they formed their or
ganization. Has any one ever heard an in
dividual who belonged to that party, or q
paper which advocated its course. express
regret at the result: Never. During the
entire canvass, while protesting 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 defeat
of the Union party. Having succeeded be-
yond their most sanguine expectations in
placing the State under the control of the
Democrats. the supposition that they would
now bury the hatchet and return to their al
legiance, is natural. We are sorry to see,
however, that such is not their intention, and
that they are determined to work all the mis-
chief in their power. At recent meeting of
this "pure' organization, held in San Fran
cisco, they refused to affiliate with the order
Of Freedoms Defenders. on the ground that
those who "opposed George c. Gorham were
prescribed by that order" For the purpose
of removing the least shadow of reason for
separate action on the part of the "National
Republicans" the following Resolution was
unanimously adopted by the Central Coun-
Gil of the order of Freedoms Defenders
Resolred, That in the organization of Freedoms
Defenders there is design to prescribe any party
or individual, who is loyal to the Union Eepub-
can party, for past political action and that
tend cordial invitation to all who willing to
ndorse the preamble to our Constitution and assist
in the objects of our organization, who voted for
Abraham Lincoln at the last Presidential election,
or would have voted if opportunity had pre-
sented.
The preamble alluded to reads as fol-
lows:
''This organization, created solely for political
purposes, shall be known and designated as 'Free-
dom's Defenders
ssIts objects shall be: To sustain the American
Union to protect the liberties of t people to
extend equal justice all men exalt loyalty and
patriotism to promote honorable standard of
political action; and to harmonie e 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
Freedoms Defenders was to heal the dissen-
sions 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. evinces disposition to
continue 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 whipping in strag-
glers and discip lining their forces. Weknow
from bitter experience that we have power
full foe to contend with. Flushed with vic
tory. they will not be easily vanquished. If
we carry this State next Fall it must be by
combined, harmonious action. Our forces
must be a unit, undivided in purpose and
prompt in execution. The recent revolution
ary action of the Democratic Legislature of
Ohio in attempting to rescind the Amend
ment to the Constitution, shows the anin,us
of the party, and should open the eyes of the
people to their danger. The election of q
We accomplished during the war. The vote
of California might avert such a calamity.
Shall We havo ;ts