Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-12-16
Senator Wilson on the New
Departure

IL IA ~ u
Hon. Henry Wilson Of Massachusetts, con
tributes to the Atlantic Monthly for January.
which is already out, noticeable article
On The new departure OF the Republican
party" Mr. Wilson is e shrewd observer
Of the DRIFT Of American politics. \ man
of principle and keeping great principles
almost always in view, he by no means loses
sight Of questions Of expediencv and popu-
larity and availability and no man makes
fewer mistakes in judging what is likely to
be popular. available, and politically expe-
dent Ee Is not fault-inder OF prophet
Of evil. lie can almost always discover
plenty Of signs Of good in the situation, es-
pecially while his own party is IN the as
eendent; and though not "a lawyer bred, few
professional advocates more readily appre-
eiate the " telling facts and points in any
case which he makes his own, OF can set them
forth more efectually. This article of Lis,
however, looks forward rather than back
ward Ii is not defence OF a gl0riication
Of Ia. past record Of the Republican party,
Nut ! thoughtful attempt to answer the
question. how shall the Republican party
continue to maintain Its ground and accom-
plish the grand objects Of its mission In
point Of fact, says Mr.. Wilson, the Govcrn-
ment was despotism up to the time Of the
rebellion, the only option given to the people
being that Of choosing between two nation
al parties, both Of which were nearly alike
obsequious to the southern rule. But now
the king is dead and his secptrc is broken,
who shall take his place? Some new usurp-
CT? OR viii the people learning wisdom
from their past fearful history, reduce TO
practice the theory Of selEgoyernmcnt SO
long and SO inconsistency held?
Considering the points of danger, Mr..
Wilson thinks that too many Of his country
men merit Bismarck censurc Of the French |
people, that they were far more ready to |
claim their rights than to perform their
duties.
lie alludes to the growing dangers from
the influence of wealthy corporations. The
Erie Railroad has p, 600 employees, and its
stocks and bonds amount TO SOL, 935, 600. |
Two other railroad corporations have equal
wealth, and ominous evidence of the I'M
scrupulous use Of their power Is supplied by |
recent elections and State Legislatures. |
IN s.,n -,
same time with a vast extension Of suffrage |
to the freedmen, Just emerged from chattle-
hood Education, therefore, becomes Of |
momentous Importance. Senator Wilson con- |
siders the two great necessities Of the cGun-
try at the present time to be " unifcation /
and education, the removal Of everything |
calculated to promote sectional striles and |
animosities and the elevation Of the igno-
rant voters everywhere, to a knowledge and
exercise of their rights, powers and duties as
men and as citizens. As for the Republican
party, It's first great duty is administration.
Entrusted by the nation with the seals of
office and sceptre Of power, it is responsible
for their faithful use. The Thirteenth,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments must
not he permitted to lie a dead letter in the
Constitution As the South, for two gene
rations, made the most of the compromises
in the interests of slavery, the Republicans
should exhibit equal energy in using these
guarantees of human rights in the interests
of freedom.
With regard to financial measures, Sena-
tor Wilson thinks there is little need of |
other action than to leave the laws of trade
and the existing legislation to work out their
legitimate results. Gold has settled from