The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-02-01
ELKTON, FEBRUARY 4, 1865.
The Republican Party and tl.e
Approaching Conflict.

| The solid votes of the Republicans in
Congress cast upou every important ques-
ton which divides it from the Rebel and
Democratic party, shows a stitfening up in
that body, and closing of ranks which in
vain we looked for year ago. The rebels
of the southern States encouraged by the
Democratic party of the North and the per-
fdious demagogue in the Presidential chair,
have rejected every plan Of reconstruction
that has been offered by long suffering and
magnanmous people. Every proposition
short Of virtually surrendering to them all
the Confederacy went to war for, has been
rejected, and every offer met by increased
demands and insults on the part of the reb
| els. Different modes of reconstruc elton have
been tried by Congress in hopes that a solu,
ton to the problem might be found, short
of clothing every loyal man without respect
to color, in those States, with the ballot
| The rebels showed that this last resort of
Congress was the only mode by which the
rebel States could be republcanized, and
every citizen protected in his life and prop
erty. Having been driven to this conclu-
sion, by the lngratitude and inhumanity Of
the men who waged four years war for the
destruction Of the Government, and having
become convinced that the plan laid down
in the Reconstruction laws, is the only safe
and effective mode by which those States
can by brought back to their places in the
Union on sound and solid Republican prin-
ciples, Congress has shown its determine.
ton to place the control of the government
Of those States in the future, in the hands
of the loyal people of the South.
The history of the Democratic party for
the last quarter of a century proves it to be
the party of disintegration, with its States
Rights and notification principles. When
that party united with the ariStocracy Ct
slavery, lost control of the government, it
at once made war on it for its final destruc,
ton. The Democratic party has been a
slave party from its birth and in no way did
it prove its inseparable connection with that
institution more conclusively than in its
steady support and sympathy with the re-
bellion. Numbers who belonged to that
party left it when its southern wing lifted
the sword against the government. But as
soon as all such took sides with their coun
| try, and against the rebels, the Democratic
party disowned them. The men who enter
ed the army or joined the Republican party
from its ranks were styled abohtionsts and
Black Republicans, and every invecive
poured out against them.
| The men who swore eternal enmity to.
and eternal separation from the North, and
who fastened to pass ordinances of secession
are now bitterly complaining that their
states are excluded from the Union by Rad.
ical tyranny and Congressional usurpaton as
they term it; while they call conventions
and publish addresses to the people of the
South to abstain from voting on the Consti.
tutions formed by regularly elected delegates
Of their own people, and by their own PEG
pie, and thus, if possible defeat what they
so loudly clamor for, restoration of their
| states to their original positions in the Gov
| ernment. These men are .terminel to be
satisfied with nothing that will not place the
Union men, both white aud black of the
rebel states under their feet; and they are
encouraged in this course b, the Democrat.
ic party of the Northern states and an apos,
tate President.
In view of these facts the Presidential
election to come Of next fall will be one of
| the most momentous elections that has ever
been held Ia the country. On the triumph
of the Republican party III that contest de
ponds the safety of the lives and property
of the Union men of the rebel states. the
| preservation OF the fruits of four years
gigantic war, involving the loss ofthree hun
bred thousand loyal lives and FIVE thousand
/ m;;lions Of public treasure.
On the success of that party depends the
future peace and pro1'anerity of the country,
and the restoration from the Sc'Dht LETT by
war upon the Southern states, the payment
of the national debt, and reign olprosper.
ity, peace and plenty throughout the land.
This is the great stake which the Republi
can party must play for in the next Presi-
dental election, and in the presence ofsuch
solemn responsibilities, the party in Con.
gress is healing all minor dissensions and
closing in 4 solid phalanx to meet the enc
my. The Republican masses throughout
the country, impressed by the solemnity and
danger Of the hour are calling on the hero
of Vicksburg, of Richmond and of Apo.
mattox, to lead them in the last grand
charge against the enemies of free govern.
ment and the rights of man; against the
Democratic party Of the North and the rcb.
els of the South.
The very danger which is threatened by
the Democratic party of reputation and of
vengeance to the loyal people of the South,
inspires the Republicans with the con.
fdehce of assured victory. The first gun of
the campaign was fired in Ohio on Monday
last, and resulted in Republican victory
and Republican gain over last year. The
second will be fred in Alabama on the 4th
of this month, in the election for the adop.
ton Of the constitution, and q victory is
confidently predicted.
CAUTION In our changeable climate,
coughs, colds, and diseases of the throat
lungs and chest will always prevail. Cruel