The Portland daily press., 1871-01-07
The VIEWS OF Woe PRESIDENT Co1rAx on

THE VIEWS OF VICE PRESIDENT CoLFAx ON.
THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
The n. Y. Independent this week publishes
an article on the future of the Republican par
ty, by Vice President Colfax, in which he says
Ito all the prophets of evip' who assume to
predict that the great party which won the
three last Presidential campaigns, and has
controlled the National House of Representa-
tiyes during fourteen out of the last sixteen
years, is destined to pass away before the next
election, and to be next succeed by some
new organization, answer that it is impossi-
BILE. Politicians did not create it, for it rose
into power by a spontaneous movement of the
people. Ithas fearessly confronted issues be-
fore which all other parties had qualed. 1t
has gone forward from one issue to another,
with the buoyant, healthy, elastic step OF pat
riotic progress. 1t has written history for
itself, and for the nation as well, which has no
parallel in the annals of parties in the whole
civilized world. 1t has maintained its predom
nance through canvasses of national despon-
dency. as in 1862 and canvases of political
disafection, as in 1870. 1t is the hope to-day
of the millions who dread the results of VIC
tory won by those who ruled the Democratic
National Convention of 1868. 1t is anchored
in the affections of those who rejoice over what
it has done for the natiOo and they will not al
| low 1t to die. But in various quarters is heard
the cry sit has performed its mission" and a
new patty is therefore inevitable. Precisely
| snch an8sssumption fell from the lips OF An
drew John.on in the summer of 1865 when he
had resolved on that treachery to the party
| that had ELECTED and honored him. which be-
came SO manlfest the succeeding winter. Els
argument was thatthe rebellion having been
| crushed ana slavery Destroyed, the work of the
hepuDncan party mad eaded and new political
Convention of the next Near was the result of
this prOnunciamentO. Test came in nerson or
by letters from Senators, Cabinet Ministers.
Representatives, editors, e3Goyernors. ex-
| ambassadors, prominent offics holders, ETC.,
etc. who had stood high in the confidence Of
the Republican party, wieldiDg,as thew SUI D.
| posed, sufficient political and personal infln-
ence to make their wishes good. Inteed. such
| an exodus would have been more taan sniff :
Gent to shatter any of the parties of ne olden
time. But when the contest came at tie polls
the grand and patriotic Republican party
proved stronger than ever. Men calling then.
selves leaders had left it, but they had no fol-
lowers; the people stood firm and steadfast.
Mr.. Coliax then reviews the history and re-
suits of the party during the last ten years
and continues: what preserves the Repub
lie from the rule OF the Democratic party
which contains these elements within it, is the
continued power of the Republican party and
| it is because the voting masses of this patriot
ic organization, who, without the leading poll
ticians, created it, realized that il was reform
| party at its birth, and has been a reform party
daring Its existence, and has carried throus
more vital reforms than all other parties dur
ing the century of our national life, and can
elaborate and coLsummate all needed reforms
In the future, as their necessity becOmes appar-
| ent, that they intend to win anuther triumph
for it and its standard bearers in 1872. Howev-
| er the President its successful candidate in
1868, may be criticized or attacked, believe
him Stronger with the people at large than he
| was when thus chosen. Then there were fears
With some that, though Republican, he mi yht
| not be in its advanced line. Who fears now?
| Some doubted whether, with life spent in
armies, and all his fame won there, he might
not be too quick in pushing international ques-
tionS to warlike settlement. Let his stand
in regard to Cuban intervention, despite his
personal sympathies with that struggling peo-
pie, prove how these doubts have been dis.
PEELED.
The article concludes: "With such record,
and on the platform already written by the
Presidents hands, with whatever additions the
intervening two years may prove essential to
the national veal, General Grant with some
one Of the many Republicans East or South,
whom all confide in, and will delight to honor,
associated with him, will, I sincerely believe,
lead the Republican phalanx las he has so often
led those under his banner, to a signal and aus
picious victory; and it will be victory that
will give stability and rest to the country by
ending forever, as it will, all hopes of Demo-
cratic reaction against the results of the war AS
embodied in our Constitution and laws,