Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-06-11
AN IMPORTANT LETTER,
RepubIIcaniSm n Rope OF sand
Democracy n Compact, Wcil-or-
ganized Body.

fSepubltcAm1$m n 1kopc Ca Sanu-
Democracy n Compact, WeiI-Or-
ganized Body.
From Correspondence Of Cincinnati Commercial
WAsTIINGToS June 8, 1870 : : The
war at an end, the questions of admins
, traiion revive, and The one problem above
all others that the Republicans are called
upon to solve is whether there remains,
after the war is closed and the issues
growing out of it are settled, platform
broad enough for the clements the war
brought together to stand upon harmo-
niously. If such exists, the party con-
tinues alive. If not, it is dead, and q fu-
neral is next in order.
One can well wish and pray for such q
common platform. There are so many
near and dear associations in the past of
The Republican party, SO much to be
proud of, so many true hearts in its lead
ers that we loved while living and mourn
now dead, that there can be but sorrow
over the desolaiiOn. The brave acts and
bright names of our organization which
have passed into history are now the most
precious of its brightest pages.
But, the fact remains, staring us stub
bornly in the face, that unless we can
find some code of principles, yet holding
US together, immediate and final separa-
ton is inevitable. -
Turning my back upon what l could
wish for, and looking with calm, philc-
sophical impartiality upon what is, l am
forced to say that there is no more cohe-
sion, beyond mere Office holding and
public plumber, in the Republican party,
than there is in a rope of sand. For over
year l have been in Washington, en-
ployed to criticise our public men, and
put to newspaper record their political
acts. wrote the fact that while the
Democracy is compact, well-organized
body, representing certain feelings, that
make of its parts one efficient whole, the
Republicans are of one party only in
name-and each leader is the representa-
tive of a faction in deadly hostility to
some other faction inside the organization.
Were caucus TO be called to-day for
the purpose of considering any one Of the
more important measures now under
consideration, its deliberations would be
marked by violent discussions, personal
abuse, and every evidence of hate and
suspicion, to end in violent dissolution.
No such caucus has been held since l
have been in Washington, and no such
caucus can be held. The fact is signif-
cant that no measure of public interest,
passes Congress, except as a compromise
logrolled through with schemes of public
plumber and leaves behind Republican
minority that secretly rejOices that such
measure has yet to be passed on by the
people, although in such popular adjudi-
cation the result may be the triumph of
the Democracy. In word, the Repub-
lican party in Congress is composed of
factions in such deadly antagonism to
each otLer that the hate among them
selves is more intense than that given the
Democracy.
If from this unhappy condition of af-
fairs in Congress, we turn to the Execu-
tive, the condition is yet more deplorable.
At tine time when our country needs a
statesman, and our party, at least,
shrewd business manager, we have man
whose ignorance of and indifference to
public affairs excites only contempt. For
the first time in the history of our Gov
eminent, we have seen our President
standing hat in hand at the doors of the
Senate, begging the passage of job-and
begging in vain. In this San Domingo
fraud have not heard a single promi-
nent man offer a defense of President
Grant, that was not based on his ignor-
ance. seen. Grant" they say, sis
well meaning man, but he is ignorant as
politician, and therefore liable to be i'm
posed upon by designing men,"
The best illustration, however, or
what wish to say is to be found in the
agitation lately experienced over the
tariff. Had Gen. Grant and his friends
possessed s particle of common sense, or
any honest desire TO continue the Repub-
lican party in power, they would have said
that there was question upon which
Republicans can honestly differ and yet be
Republicans. Therefore let US strive to
compromise upon an adjustment that will
make some approach to general satisfac-
ton. But no, the Administration begins
by throwing itself into the arms of the
prohibitionists, and ends by prosecuting
the advocates of free trade. This tall end
of the Republican party, this little knot
of prohibitiOnists, is the meanest and
most corrupt faction with which we are
cursed. With Simon Cameron, at lis
head, and Ames and Morrel, of Penn
sylvania, whose fingers are tainted with
untold plumber, who stand in their
places, and without blushing, vote money
directly into their own pockets, at its tail,
VIC are told that their vile dogma of pro-
lection is the platform of the party, and
on our belief in it depends our recogni-
ton as Republicans.
1t is understood within the last two
days that the bonds of union between this
faction and the administration have been
strengthened. The edict has gone out that
the office now held by David A. Wells is
to be superseded by some stOlid believer
in thieving made legal. And His Excel
lency, who began his administration with
such loud assertions of purity, after drink
ing with Gould and Fisk, sleeping with
Corbin and dallying with Ben. Butler, has
publicly opened his executive arms to
embrace Simon Cameron, the vilest poll
teal prostitute of them all.
Last night the New York Tribune,
containing two solid columns of abuse of
David A. Wells, reached Washington.
The attack is so ahsurdly violent, so lu-
dicrous in its inconsistency, so much the
blind scolding of bysterical old woman,
that it excites only ridicule and laughter.
However Insignificant in itself, taken as a
part of late events in The political world,
| it is important. We receive notice to
quit. The partnership heretofore exist
| ing between the honest men and the
rogues is hereby dissolved, and every man
is left to go his own political way I'M
questioned. Greeley, Grant 81 Co. will
settle up and close the concern. The late
Republican party is the deadest dead
thing above ground And if the surviv-
ing friends wish to retain for it any feel
ings of respect they will hasten its funer-
al. Upon its melancholy tomb let us in
scribe this epitaph:
DIED,
After brief but brilliant career, the late
| Republican Party.
] BORN