The Van Buren press., 1870-12-06
NO. 26
The Late Elections.
Some Very Plain Talk from an Old Line
Republican Organ

out of slavery, and the great pro slavery
rebellion, are settled that the mere plat.
form of economy and REFORM" without
specifying by what measures these gilt
tering generalities are to be put in prac-
tice, is ms available to one party as an
other, and, consequently, is not available
as the special platform Of any party; and
that, on the present living issues, as to
the proper mode of laying taxes and tar
ifs for the support OF the Government,
the two old party organizations can no
longer be relied upon for their full party
vote. Both parties are, to soms extent,
disintegrated and disorganized by the
change Of issues. as might naturally b.
expected But the Democratic party en-.
tiers into the fight everywhere with the
advantage of having an issue In which
it believes, and for which it is prepared
TO vote, viz: Free Trade. The Republi.
can party, as such, for four years past,
has had no issue on this question except
within its own ranks. A large number
Of its leading statesmen. and organs. as
we'll as of its voters, are as heartily CON-
mitted to free trade or n revenue tariff as
any portion of the Democratic party.
! Upon this question there must be, and,
! indeed, to great extent las been, q un-
ion OF the homogeneous elements such as
will enable those who thiAk alike in the
two pastpolitical parties TO work together
in future political organizations. The
same necessity which, in IS4S, induced
William c. Bryant and his journal, the
New York Evening Post, to abandon the
Democratic party, with which they agreed
on all other questions, to co operate with
he Free Soil (aiterward Republican,
party, on the main question, now induces
such leaders in the late revolution in ia.
yor of human liberty as the same Bryant,
Wendell Phillips, VIM Lloyd Carson,
Henry Ward Bcecher, Lyman Trumbull,
Sumner, b. Gratz Brown, John A. Logan,
Governor Palmer Frederick Douglass.
etc and such journals rs the New York
Evening Post, Cincinnati Commercial
and Gazette, and st. Louis Democrat, to
effect such reconstruction and reorgan-
izatlon Of political parties as will enable
them to vote squarely for such revenue
policy aud civil service system as they
can conscientiously support, without be-
coming responsible for, or identifying
themselves with, the past errors OF this
Democratic party on the slavery qncs-
ton. The election in Missouri is the re-
suit of such reorganization Of political
parties, and is triumph of the distinc.
lively iree-trade party over the protec-
tioeaIsh taaatpeaAu TIE eff fseRr rsBGaqf .ppssstion
the two parties adopted in convention
substantially the same platform, the Re.
publican platform opposing protection,
and the Democratic demanding free trade.
Yet, in going before the people on these
platforms, the Republican candidates were
met by the point that in Congress, they
would be compelled by party affiliations
on other questions, to come under the
lead Of proteetienist caucuses, to vote for
a protectionist Speaker, to see their busi-
ness referred to protectionist committees,
and general protec,ionist inclination
given to their votes, whatever might be
their personal predictions. This might
have been met by the assurance that the
candidates would vote and act with Free
traders in all matters involving this Ques-
ton, irrespective of their previous asso-
Citations. In the absence of this assur-
ance, many Republicans who desired to
sustain the free trade policy, either did
not vote, or believed their votes could
he cast most effectively for the Demo
cratic candidate, This fact has had its
potency in changing the Congressional
delegation in Illinois from eleven Re-
publicans and three Democrats to seven
Republicans and seven Democrats. The
same influences have had an effect in In
diana, Missouri. Michigan, and Wiscon
sin. Had it been clearly understood he
forehand, that the next Congress would
organize, elect its Speaker, appoint ity
committees, and hold its caucuses upon
a division of parties based on new and
living issues, the people would have vo-
ted in accordance with that understand
ing But, so long as that is doubtful,
the party whose position is uncertain
must continue to give place to the can.
didates whose position is declared.
In Sclenck's district, II. j. Morrell's
and MeCarthys of Syracuse, the issue
was made up mainly on the question Of
protection and free trade--tke friends Of
free trade voting, in some degree, with
out regard to past political affiliations,
and carrying McCarthy's distric: for .
Republican free trader in the convention.
and the otler two districts for free
trader at the polls.
The time has now come when the two
real parties of the country, the free trad
ers and protectionists, must cast their
votes where they will tell most effective
ly for their principles. both in Congress
and out Of it. 1t is impossible that we
shall continue voting on dead issues,and
lodging the living and vital ones. AS
our New York dispatch intimated yes.
terday, the Revenue Reform party will
enter The next Congress prepared TO claim
the Speaker, the organization of the
House, and the appointment of commit
tees, so that the business before Congress
may be presented in a manner 10 carry
out the views of the majority of thepco.
pie, as indicated in the recent elections.
If the protectionists of the country desire
to carry this issue to a general election,
or to form national rasty on their own
basis, we shall, at all times, stand ready
to meet them If not, IL is pretty clear
that, so long as the Democratic party
elects more but free traders. and the free