New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-05-11

! f. ID.
federation and Indifference.
This country is, of all others, one of the broad
est federation, and this liberation is one OF the
chief causes of its growth and prosperity.
liberation indeed, is the only basis on which
people Of all nations, races, and creeds, grown
up under the most different influences, can
manage to live peaceably together under the
same government This thoroughly humane
feature, particularly characteristic the Amer
lean people, however, ought not to be con-
founded with another, which, though vastly
different, yet borrows its name TO exercise a
hurtful influence. This is the excessive leniency
towards wrong, which IN some men has its
source in Indifference, the absence Of strong
convictions, and the incapabliiEy Of honest moral
indignation; while in others it springs from err
roneous notions Of kindness, simpartiality, and
freedom Of opinion. Both classcs-human mol
lusks they mi ht be called-have natural dislike
to men of conviction aHd principle. There is
! hardly man, earnestly devoted in the service of
a cause, who has not been frequently accused of
fanaticism, intolerance, and bigotry. Indeed the
| times are not remote when no Radical Abolition
| list escaped these charges CHARLES SUMNER,
| WENDELL PHILLIPS, WILLIAM LLorpGARRIsoN,
and GERRIr SNITn have all been denounced as
| fanatics. During the last decade public opinion
/ has undergone complete revolution the small
minority of those days has become the powerful
majority that rules the country, and has accom-
plished all that which the old minority worked
| for. Old-line Abolitionists, Radicals, and Re
publicans Of all shades-in short, the whole of
the better part of the people-are agreed about
| h'--.-- ~r--i-:aL.a ari ~iuar--i anffra and
thus far form but one great party. When 1t is
question of the treatment of former rebels
and the attitude TO be assumed towards the
common enemy, the Democratic party, it is that
the old Radical differences come to the surface,
and that selfish indifference and misplaced
| kindness boast of federation and undertake to
lecture us for our intolerant, bitter hostility"
to all Democrats But, after all, what do they
mean by federation? Ifit is simply considera
tion and regard for other peoples opinions,
creeds, actions, and habits, no one will find US
at fault, as long as others not injured by it.
If the Mormon believes that Salt Lake City will
rise some fine day with all that is in it, men,
cattle, and real estate, and 60 right up to
heaven, we are quite willing to let him rejoice
in the prospect and to let him propagate his
faith to the best of his ability Or, if the Shaker
considers celibacy religious duty, we shall
certainly abstain from any attempt to convert
n,i 4 su,ba fCja
alton is claimed for the perpetrators, or would
he perpetrators, of positive wrong, nay crime
There are certain crimes about which the world
is agreed, and for which no man in his senses
would ever enter plea on the ground Of toler-
alton crimes no one is allowed to tolerate
knowingly, since he would thus become an ac
complete and abettor. Murder, arson, fraud,
theft, and robbery belong in this category, and
we do not think that even Democratic New
York lawyer would ever attempt to justify them
on the ground that his client had only acted
according to his honest convictions.
Now, We defy any one to deny that for many
years the Democratic party has devoted its &C
tivity principally to the achievement of objects
about whose criminality the whole civilized |
world has passed its judgment. After having
failed in the attempt to fasten slavery-the |
crime that includes all others, " the sum |
of all villanies'-on the country forever, it |
has done its best TO make liberty merely |
nominal 10y Withholding civil rights from the /
We need not dwell upon its
being the party of treason, since it coaspired to
destroy the integrity of the nation. 1t is no
less the representative of dishonesty, since it
advocates reputation Of the national debt,
which, translated into plain English. means
nothing but cheating ones creditors out Of the
money they have lent. trusting in the good
faith Of the debtor. 1t is also the protector Of
fraud, since il fights most obstinatsly against
any remedy proposed against election frauds.
All these crimes il perpetrated by few indi.
vduas. would be considered too monstrous
FOR any one to attempt justification, and the
raet that millions of men or governments Of
States participate in them does not make them
ess odious We are, consequently, entitled
70 call the Democratic party q party of muir.
Ter, robbery, treason, dishonesty, and fraud.
1t would he superfuous to add that We do not
1oiu every inoNiouai bo"ocrus Rahty VI WniP- |
ping or selling slaves, or of giving material
lid to the rebellion but in voting with the
party whose platform was founded on these
wrongs, he becomes the alder and abettor, and
$ rightly held responsible.
Yet, in the face Of all this, there are many
# those amable, lukewarm people, who yet
tyle themselves Republicans, that will grow
highly indignant when you refuse to believe
Individual Democrats to be thoroughly humane,
ust virtuous, aud noble men. Directly the
ry of bigotry, partisan spirit, and luminosity
, raised Have you noleniency, no charity ~
) frequently asked. Charity, certainly, for