The national Republican., 1869-03-03
THE REPUBLICAN PANTY.

Tnroukn the enorgles ana stcauy PURPOSE
Of the Republican party this nation has been
saved, and by the impetus Of tho princi-
pies and corresponding action OF this organ
ization this nation has taken'a new depart
urc In Its career Of greatness and prosperity,
tho grand results Of which 1t were impossi-
bic to over-cstimate. Had not the Republi-
can party stood firmly by tho Government
in the trying and troublous hours Of the re-
bellion there would have been no Union Of
these States to-day; but where was once q
glorious confederation of States, constituting
q flrst-class Power on the earth, there would
have appeared q broken up, discovered, In
tegrated community Of nationalities, In the
form Of so many petty republics or deapotisms
without power or influence In the family Of
nations. Thanks 70 this great party, the
nation lives.
Early in the history of this country the
Democratic party, as Ii is called, sold Itself
body and soul to the slave oligarchy, and be-
came on all occasions the sworn and staunch
champion Of human bondage. It antago-
nlzed the Republican party for years bsfore
upon the slavery question, and during and
since the war. The Democratic party has
always been a unit upon the question Of
slavery. The existence and perpetuation Of
that system has been contended for by the
Democracy with consistency and persist.
ency that knew no backward steps-no yield
ing, no doubt nor uncertainty. Tho course
and deliberately chosen policy Of the De.
mooraey in this respect is so plain that We
only need state the fact and there leave Il
with this one remark, that the pro-slavory
Characteristic Of the Democracy Is as paten
to all the people as the existence Of the part!
itself
There Is now another central Idea o
grand principle which has become the hea
of the corner, and upon which parties arc +
be made up in this country. 1t is no less
matter than the public credit. It Is whethe
this Government shall keep Its faith wit
tho public creditors, or consent to rcpudii
ton.
The platform laid down at Chicago,
respect to this question, was not, as our o
pouents affirmed at that time and oil throug
the campaign, a mere figure Of speech, an
OF no moro account than SO much party ella
trap. Congress has not-as we knew
would not-allowod the Republican party
mako 'thls promise to the car aud brca
1t to the hope" as the following bill wi
shows
Be u enacted, That in order to remove an
doubt as TO the purpose OF Government
discharge all Just obligations to public ere
itors, and to settle conflicting questions al
interpretations of the laws by virtue
which such obligations have been contracte
1t is hereby provided and declared that 4
faith OF the United States Is solemn
pledged to the payment In coin, or Its equi
alent, Of all the obligations Of tho Unit
States, except In cases where the law n
thorlzlng the issue Of any such obligatiC
has expressly provided that the same mi
be paid In lawful money, or other current
than gold and silver.
Sec. 2. Aud be u further enacted, That al
contract heretofore made specifically pay
bic In coin, and the consideration Of while
may be a loan of coin, or u sale of propert
or the rendering Of labor or service OF ai
kind, the price of which, a. carried into Il
contract, may have been adjusted on Il
basis of the coin value thereof at the time
such sale or the rendering Of such service
labor, shall be legal and valid, and may
enforced according to its terms.
This bill passed the House and Senate
almost strict party vote: ll0 to Gl In t
House, and 80 to 10 in the Senate.
On one side of the line In favor
keeping the faith Of the nation and pr
serving the public credit invlolate stands Il
Republican party. On the other side
favor Of fraud, repudlAtlon and dishon
stands the Democratic party. The issue
made uD,