Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-05-05
Side Issues.

The Pittsburg Gazette, of April 2sth'
contains the following timely and very tor
chile observations relative to the side Issues
that some of its members would tack on to
the Republican party. The party, from ITS
iuccption. has been the advocate OF the great
principle of freedom. and before 1t can boast
of having firmly established the measures
for which it has so long contended, and
which constitute its true glory, it has still a
mighty work to perform, and hence it cannot
afford to fritter away its strength on the side
issues with which some would burden and
endanger its existence. The Gazette says:
Whoever supposes that the Republican
party is in darger OF going to everlasting
smash, that nothing will keep its organiza-
tlon unbrokcn, unless variety of side Is
sues are resorted to, clearly fails to apprecl-
ate the real foundations npon which the
party has been built up. If Republicanism
has no solid merits of it's own, which are
independent of the varying phases of the
hour, and which spring out of the immuta-
BE principles Of morality and public Justice;
if it has been merely temporary political
shift, 10 bring about a change of places be-
tween the outs and ms if the field OF Ma
tional politics to day presents only exhaust
ed questions and accomplished results, not
one wrong needing to lie righted, not one
mistake yet to be corrected, with no longer
any public duty neglected or any private
right denied-if Liberty, Equality and JUS
tice, the public faith, the obligations of the
Union, and the supremacy of the law be
everywhere acknowledged aud respected-if
the partisan opposition, which has so long,
so bitterly and so powerfully withstood the
final triumph of Republicanism, be at last
extinguished, never to be revived-if, in
fine, all the people of the States be cordially
agreed to accept and stand faithfully by the
new order of things for which Republican
ism has apparently won such decisive victo
ries-then, perhaps, there will be no further
use for it as political party, and We may
wisely turn our attention to the attractive
side issues of foreign wars, and annexations,
or to the more domestic charms of the tenn
perance question, or that of the rights of
women.
but the facts do not yet justify us in con-
graduating each other upon the complete
triumph of the Republican cause. Let US
complete Reconstruction, reform the civil
service, purge the Treasury, and make fair
start in the payment of the vast war debt,
before we talk of the Republican mission as
complete.
Fortunately, there is no danger to be ap-
pretended in the direction of foreign policy
of annexation or war. In that quarter, are
rocks which would shatter the Republican
party in an instant and hopeless wreck. But
whatever madness may possess individuals,
the wiser councils of Republicanism will steer
clear of that palpable ruin. The real perils
to be feared will be found in the side issues
which are likely to afflict our politics for the
next two years, with an Egyptian pertinacity.
Here lies the hope of the opposition, and,
possibly, temporary disaster to the great
party which feels itself strong to risk any
thing, and which is strong enough to over
come any Onposition outside ofits own ranks -