The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-11-10

Inc hcpuDllchu party ID not Close cor
poratlon, belonging to any one man or fac.
ton. Neither is II party of one idea to be
eSpounded by any single individual or spe.
clal ring Of local politicians, who assume to
make rules and volunteer opinions for their
peers In the Republican ranks. Neither docs
II belong to any two or three self.assured,
conceited gentlemen, who would like to as
sumo ownership II 1t were safe to do SO. Not
at all. But 1t does belong to the great
masses who make up the rank and file of
this organization. For its permaueuce, pros
perity and good name, all Of Its members
are equally responsible. Each Is the peer
OF the other, and each should be jealous OF
Its character and careful of Its reputation.
The rank and file have rights as well as the
consecrated few, who sometimes assume 10
BIO the party aud to dictate what shall DO
Its policy and who shall be It's friends.
There will often be found self-constituted
trio, quarto, or other limited number In al.
most every community, who play this role,
and dogmatically assume leadership upon
no other capital except their own concclt
and arrogance; and this, perhaps, Is more
distlnguishable In local politics than any
where else.
But there Is no good reason for the exist.
ence Of such a condition OF things. There
no propriety In fact In permitting 1t TO
continue. 1t may, and undoubtedly will, II
apathy and careless indifference rule the
hour. II the mass OF sensible, intelligent
men will not assert themselves and express
their honest convictions, we may expect
nothing else but that charlatans and dema.
gogues will manipulate and control our
affairs. II this class Of our citizens would
practice the high virtue of self-assertion for
little while, and act up to their deliberate
and well-considered convictions Of right and
duty, a corresponding degree of elevation
and improvement would appear. There can
be no doubt OF the benencent result Of such
action. 1t would be seen and felt through
all the avenues Of public thought and feel.
ingi whilst dignity, self.respect, and COM
mon veal would more than compensate for
all reasonable and Just eudeavor In this re-
spect. Certainly the stability, honor and
success of the Republican party, here aud
elsewhere, are Of paramount importance.
But these will not assert themselves with.
out voice. Good sense, reason and intelli-
gence will not be manifest, when none will
speak out. A good healthy spirit Of manly
Independence, animated by Just motives and
truthful ends, however, will overcome all,
and In the end establish the reign OF right.
To cultivate this feeling and develop
such Influences, should be the steady aim of
ha tNa ~ a,,l
should unite in harmonious accord for the
successful contamination of the same end.
For this high aim we shall strive; and while
we shall avoid controversy in all matters
merely personal, we shall nevertheless try to
deal fairly with all public questions, and ad-
vocate such measures as sound policy die
tates and the public good demands. With
our views Of Republican principles and per-
sonal duty, we can do no less. Standing
here upon the commonly received policy of
General Grants administration, which we
have consistently and continuously sustained,
we feel strong in our position. Conscious Of
an honest desire tn snstain none but Just
measures, and uphold no cliques but such az
minister TO the rectltude of our party aud
the general public good, we shall continue
to conduct the REPUBLICAN, as we have en-
dcavored heretofore, for the accomplishment
OF these ends. We shall not prescribe those
who do not think exactly as we do, upon
immaterial matters because we claim some
latitude ourselves, in the line of opinion, and
we freely concede the same to our friends.
In this, we believe we shall have the sup
port OF generous, llberal-minded men.