The Van Buren press., 1868-06-19
HARMONY.

public. We feel that the sign. of the
times warrant us in using this language
Ifthe Radical party should be continued
in power for four years, their aggressive
spirit would undoubtedly produce com
| plc,c revolution in our form of govern
mcnt As soon as a written Constitution
ceases to he respected or oheycd, it is
vcrging upon it, utter and entire over
throw Our form of government is such
that il derives its life from.thc written
charter called the Federal Constitution.
Enoryate this charter and our institutions
must totter; habitually violate il and our
institutions must be overthrow. The
spirit of reckless tampering, tinkering,
and changing manifested by the Radical
party demonstrates beyond peradventurc,
that political ruin awaits their policy. If,
then, we repeat, they are to be continued
in power, our Republic is doomed its
days are numbered and our proud insti-
tutions will soon find place in the grand
lumber-room of worn out Republics Our
history is already written and it is<Hgt
repetition Of the old story of the ruinous
consequences attending the tyranny of a
grasping majority. Power is sweet to all
men, The Almighty has for some in
scrutable purpose, implanted in man a
morbid desire to use power ofwhatSoever
kind and howsoever acquired. Nor do
we delay much time, seeking after the
consequences of an exercise of power,
The civil war let into power a class of
men that peace would have suffered to re-
main in mcritcd obscurity. These now
use their power TO perpetuate itself. They
care not for remote consequences. The
lessons Of history fall upon their ears to
no purpose. The Constitution so reyer-
cnccd BY our forctathers, has no charms
for them; remorsc does not visit them
for violation Of the provisions of that
instrument, although their solemn oaths
must continually ring in their ears. In
the hands of such men OF such party,
our country is not, cannot be, safe The
Conservative Democracy of the nation is
now called upon to wrest tic sccptrc from
the hands of these spoilers of our coun-
try. The absolute necessity of this can
not fail to strike every one WHO reflects
upon the past course the Ra0 'ca par
ty. The immense importance Of entire
harmony in the Democratic Convention
and afterwards in the whole party. is ad
mittcd, cannot be denied. The course to
be pursued by the Delegates from the
Southern States we cannot pretend tu
foretell In the present attitude of af-
fairs dignifed silence seems to us to be
the proper course. They represent a por
ton of the Uuion that has but little to
lose and all to gain Upon the strength
of the Northern Democracy we must rely
in this campaign The South will be so
completely tied up by oaths and so thor
oughly mongrelized, that but little aid
can be expected from her. Men who re-.
spect themselves cannot take the test
oath required of voters and the negroes
and their allies must and will do the vot-
ing. This fact need not be disguised by
the Convention and the nominations to
be made, must he made in view Of this 10
mentable state of things. The Southern
Delegates should not hesitate to fall in
with the action Of the Northern Democ-
racy They have no tower Of strength
to oppose them, but they have corruption
and vilainy. Grant is an interoper on
the Radical party and has now the hon
ors without having bourn the sweat and
burden Of the day The aspirants for the
Radical nomination, who have been con-
slant in their adherence to the party,
through good and evil report, naturally
feel very sore and disafection must he
expected. The bitterness of disappoint
ed ambition is keenly felt by Chase and
Wade and their adherents and friends.
They are not likely to get subordinate
positions and if they are offered this win
not remove the sting. We are apt to
hate with double hatred, those we have
wickedly wronged, and few favors will
fall into their laps from Radical patron.
age. IfChase is an independent candi.
date, defeat is sure, and he may find a
balm for his sorrows in this course. In
any event Grant and Colfax cannot be
deemed strong ticket Both coming
from the North. will not give them
Illinois and Indiana They will undoubt.
edly carry Massachusetts, and Vermont,