Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-11-23
The Pathway to Victory.
By HON. SCHUYLER coLrAx.

From steadfast Maine to redeemed Cal
ifornia-from the Pacific slope to the At
lantic-the political horizon is aglow with
the brilliant rays of Republican triumphs,
and the huzzas of victory thrill millioa as of
happy hearts. Montana, too, responds
joyously TO Connecticut, and Wyoming to
North Carolina, as they range themselves
Under the Republican banner; while faith
ful Colorado clasps hands across the
mountains with faithful Rhode Island in
renewed pledges of fidelity to principle.
The enemies of Republicanism, who have
been exultingly predicting its disintegra-
ton and Iall, find their prophecies but as
tinkling brass as the grand party of pro-
gress once more rouses itself for action
like giant stirring himselfin his strength.
And the deubting and faint hearted, who,
like their predecessors in every campaign
since 1864, were almost ready to concede
that its word had been at last accomplish
| ed, have been rebuked 10y the stern upris-
ing of the rank and file of the noblest par.
ty that ever existed in the Republic, who,
loving the cause and praying as we'll as
working for it, attest the sincerity of their
convictions, without offices or honors, by
their patriotic determination and their un-
selfish and energetic action.
/ No. thanks to the noble enthusiasm oi
that army oftrue hearted privates, another
victory for the right is evidently within its
grasp in the coming contest. True, there
have been needless and weakening dis
sensions and chickering's among its leading
men, and unity should take the place of
/ discord: for, if a house divided against it.
self cannot stand, a party divided within
itself cannot triumph. The millions who
hold no positions of trust or profit, but
/ who labor so earnestly to win success for
: the cause thev love, teach those who are
called leaders, by their patriotic example,
the pow wer and the bcneticcnce, too, of po-
litical discord.
But, despite these impeliing discussions
despite prophecies ofevil, already SO sig
nally reiuted; despite some sins of onlis-
sion and commission, from which no great
party can hope to be totally exempt, the
prospects Of success in 1872 are iar bright
er than they were at the opening of the
well remembered national struggles of
! 1850, 1864, and 1868. " hen Abraham
Lincoln was rcnoniinatcd, in 1864, promi-
ncnt Republican statesmen and papers
hesitated for some months as To his sup
port. Another national convention was
called, and placed its nominees i'll the
field. But the people were migh:icr than
politicians, and commanded the unity that
finally won the brilliant triumph which
hastened the downfall OF the Rebellion.
The State elections Of 1867 inspired our
opponents with hopes of success, which
the returns of November, 1865, dashed to
the ground. And never were they more
sanguine than in 1866. Then a President
with unexamplcd ingratitudc and bitter
ness had turned the whole power Of his
administration against the confding party
which Lad hon0red him by its bestowal
His entire Cabinet, formerly Republicans
had followed in his footsteps Rcpuhli
Can senators, generals, editors, Will
a many talented associates, walked arm in
q arm at national convention with theil
former opponents, proclaiming that tht
: work If their party had been accomplish
ed by the end of the Rebellion and the
destruction of slavery, ana that the h0ur
for new organization had already struck
, The two distinguished men in Congress
J. who were regarded as the Republican
It leaders there-Charles Sumner and Thad
It deus Stevens-were denounced from on
a end of the land TO the other, not only b.
'e ancient political enemies, but also by til
= new confreres of these enemies, as Wanio
violators OF the constitution they wer
sworn to support, and as reckless. mi:
guided, malignant, anti-reDublican an
dictatorial. The most shameless person
oil calumnies were not lacking. And froI
hundreds of stumps President and pol
ticians united their voices in personal an
political denunciation against these alb
statesmen. Had they been the unworth
est of Americans, they could not hay
been more vilely illuminated. But IL
people again proved themselves mighti
than the politicians. Turning deaf e;
to denunciations from the lips Of tho
in whom they had so recently and largel
T. cunhded, they rallied most enthusiast
cally and unitedly at the polls, winning
more magnificent triumph than ever, al
II, showing that, though the bolt seem
large enough to destroy any political pa
NJ ty that had ever existed heretofore, i
W. boilers were captains without followe,
. and the cause triumphed even more 81
nally without them than it had previous
with them. 1t proved also how pointle
n and ineffective are personal calumny a
in unjust denunciation when aimed at tho
, VIII om the plain people, as Lincoln call
fac, them, believe are faithfully striving
per serve the country.
In the political struggles of this We
resulting as they have so much more a
piciously than was expected, the succ
s of the administration of President CIR;
Is. has been the stronghold of Republic
candidates, speakers, and editors. FL
the public debt aas been speedily MELT
~, away; how the taxes have been at
ice, same time. constantly diminished h
the laws have been impartially enforc'
how protection, even to the humble
against outrage and wrong, has been
ard. uppermost thought, both in enactme
re- and action; how our only foreign CO
=. plication has been changed from thrt
ming of war into brilliant exemplar
the civilized world of the manner in W b