The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-04-02


Tho formation OF third party in this
country Is an imposslbility. 1t has been
tried repeatedly, and the signal failures
which have attended all efforts and attempts
Of this sort should teach those who essay
these undertakings lesson Of admonltlon |
and warning, and they would do we'll to heed |
the teachings of the past in this regard But |
they will not. SO they must 20 forward, |
meeting with the same rcbuffs and defeats |
that have always been the fate of their mis- |
guided predecessors. When the wish is the |
father to the thought, men will pursue
phantom with as much zeal and pcrsistency |
as is demanded on their part when work
that promises success is offered them.
Our neighbors of the Express have in their
issue of Wednesday an article on what they
are pleased to term g the party Of the fu-
ture." We quote single paragraph, as
follows:
"The two great political parties of the
country have worn out their usefulness TO
tho public. One is too stagnant the other
too rapid for the temper Of the times and the
beat interests of the people. One has q dis
position TO sullcnly stand still, tho other to
rush on regardless of covenants and trad-
tons. One squints at reputation as II did
at peace, the other atiiliates with privileged
classes and prescription. One cries out like
King Canute to stay the tide of progress, the
other drives on Its course by selfish and mar
row prccedents Of Its own making. One is
welded to dead issues and old prejudices,
the other Is consuming Its vitality by the cx-
cess Of its ambition"
1t may seem pity to call in question SO
much line writing, and 1t may also be an ex-
hibition of temerity on our part to question
the conclusions herein stated. But before
these two great parties are demolished, and
60 into history as things that once existed,
We desire to say few words, not so much in
advocacy Of the continuance of either the
Republican or Democratic party as In re-
spect TO fixed and incontrovcrtible laws
which govern In our American civilization,
and make parties necessity and cause
them to be the opponents of public scnti-
ment in its organized action. As water docs
not rise above its level, SO neither do politi-
cal sentiments, ideas and principles seek
Manifestations through channels above or
below the average conservatism on the one
hand and radicalism on the other.
We have heard much about ''thc party o
the future" and when its advent is tairl,
announced, We hope its Ndhcrcnts will max
note OF 1t and let us know something o
Its first triumphs against and over the tw
old parties.
We have In our mind now that splendi
attempt put forth by the Philadelphia con
vcntion of 1866; how those converts to
new party that was to sweep the country
but didn't-went intothe hall in pairs. They
certainly had first rate start, and entered
upon the mission and work before them IL
splendid style. Never did movement ia
inauguratc new party commence more
auspciously or promise to be more success
full than this. But where is it now 7 Who
of all the leaders that were In this move
ment are in position to day or could com
mand position or respect II they sought 1t
No one! Some have gone into the Demo
cratic ranks, where they naturally belonged
and may possibly succeed in that organic.
ton, but never as adhcrcnts Of u third {
future party, because there can be no part
of that kind for years to come in this coui
try.
We have heard much of the overthrow
what is known as the Democratic part!
and after every election men prophcsy TIA,
this organization is on Its last legs; br
when the time CONES for another trial Of Il
strength it Is there, every time This fact
too obvious to be denied. How Wa, It in ii
last Presidential elcctioui This party, wit
all the odds against it, with all the oliu'
which attached to 1t in consequence Of
connection with the rebellion and with III
repentant rebels, population and many 9th
obnoxious features which nhorc in Its orga
ization, nearly carried the country, If II
Judge of Its strength by the popular vol
which 1t received.
1t Is a simple matter Of fact, which W
might as well accept as not, because it
true, that such party cannot be put dow
When you talk of the party of the future go
utter words without meaning and withol
force. The question returns, how do 20
propose to get rid of the Democratic part
The Republican party has fought it with
purpose and an energy for eight year, with
certainly is significant in its results, but d
spite all this this old party is instinct wi
life and vIgor, and sways az much Of publ
sentiment almost as its dominant antngonl'
Talk of future party until the Democrat
party is extinct You might US well talk
staying the waters of Niagara with strn'
How Is 1t with the Republican party!
Is a live party, radical, bold and aggrcs.iy
1t does not fear the face Of clay. 1t has
mission and work 10 perform, and all ii
will 1t do. On the stump 1t Is mighty, beio
the people it Is triumphant, 1t Is identih
with human liberty and progress. Talk
precedents and covenants These are naug
In the sense in which our philosophlC
nelghbor understands them. The aggra-
i've elements and the conservative clcmcn
In human society are at war, and while the
two elements dominate in our American ci
ilizatlon, IL is the shcerest nonsense to ia
Of third or future parties. If men do II
sec these things let them try the experiment
These sort of experiments have been trl,
repeatedly and failed, and they will fail
often as they are tried.
Our Minister at the Court of =