The Van Buren press., 1869-09-21
The Future-Its Dangers.


The rapid disintegration OF the Radical
faction, that has held the rod of party
discipline over the Republican party, is
food for earnest and profound reflection
The party that has for years swayed the
destinies of our country, is now passing
away and will soon cease to command re-
spect or exert an influence upon the poll
tics of the Nation. Upon the death of
the Radical party, we must witness the
birth of another political organization.
Its christening is unimportant--its name
but shadow. 1t may be denoninated
the Conservative Republican or Conserva-
tive Democratic party-it matters not.
1t will be composed OF men of integrity
and honesty. 1t will, for years to come,
shape the destiny of this Union. Our flu
turc will depend entirely upon the wis
dom and foresight displayed by their new
ina ters. We are now emerging from a
state in which Intolerance and proscr,p
tion were the reiguing features. The
power Of endurance Of our republican
institutions has been put to the severest
test. These institutions have barely sur
viyed in name. but have been swept sway
ia repeated instances, in substance. The
faith of many in the stability Of Il Free
Government, based upon written Con
stitution, has been destroyed-in many
others this faith has been terribly shaken.
The danger ahead, and to be seriously
apprehended, is, that a new party may
permit itself to be used by designing and
yindictive men for purposes of retala-
ton. The ler talionis may do well enough
in war, but its propriety even then is OF a
doubtful character--in politics it is de-
plorable, and is to be spurned by all true
patriots and sound rcasoners. Forgive
ness is the part Of greatness, and party
that aspires to nationality should indig-
mantly refuse to permit itselft be instru,
mental in visiting evil upon PROSTATE op
ponents Our country has already been
too long the theatre of oppression foi
political opinions, and persecution foi
past, so called, oiitiises. The ballot-boS
is no place at which to punish crime. II
crimes there be, the laws and tribunals ol
justice are instituted for their punishment
FLAWS do not reach the particular of
fence then, for Heavens sake, amend
your laws, and disdaip to punish indirect
ly what the law does not punish directly
Political persecution is only second ii
iiniauity to religious persecution. A
party whose chief aim is to hold on to
place and power, by DISTINGUISHING and
disabling statutes, cannot long exist in
country, whose people have once been
free. The new party must avoid the
danger, that has proved the death blow
to the old one. The Radical party, viii
the entire machinery of our Government
prostituted to its vile purposes. is fas
dccaying Its life has been short, and as
ignominious as short Let the new par
~ learn, that it is wise to profit by ones
experience, but wiser still to profit by thu
experience of others. If prescription and
intolerance is to be plank in the new
platform, then brief will be the politica
existence of the new party. Our Fedora
Constitution knows nothing Of proscrip
tion of any kind. The genius of GU
Constitution is GENUINE FREEDOM ol
OPINION and PERFECT FREEDOM OF AcTio,
within fixed bounds, plainly marked GU
upon our Statute Books Our laws re
recognise no act Of omission or commits
sion as o crime, unless so "nominated ii
the bond" Our laws are not suares tc
.cntrap the unwary, but plain rules o
conduct commanding what is right ant
prohibiting what is wrong. None are te
be punished, where the laws do not la,
down the mode, manner and sum of the
penalty Er post .facto laws are posihre
y forbidden and rREEDoM, in its widest
Legitimate sense, is guaranteed.
N
Tu3 THE FIRsT BALE Mr. CHARLES CAR
ROLL, brough. the first bale Of cotton,