The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-03
WHAT WE MUST WORK FOR.

4
WHAT WE MUST WORK FOR
The duty of all patriotic Republicans
to work increasingly to retain the gener
government in the hands of their part,
The good of the country is dependent upo
this. 1t matters little to anybody, exceI
the mere office-holders themselves who Fl
our local offices, which are in no way cor
nected with the general politics of th
nation, SO long as the central power is i
the hands of those who will maintain th
present condition of things, and prevent
restoration of the old Democratic rule.
| The Republican party has reconstructe
the government according to its ideas upol
a strong federal basis, in which the nation
al authority is declared to be paramount,
and the States subject thereto. This theo-
ry has been recognized and admitted
though unwillingly, by the Southern States
which accepted it as a condition preceden,
to their readmission, with the abolition OF
slavery aud the enfranchisement of the
colored race. As it was accepted under
protest, and contrary to the wishes of
large minority OF the people, it is probable
that they will respect aud abide by the
terms imposed any longer than the party
that imposed them shall have the ability
to compel obedience to the conditions at
least, until time shall have wrought rad
ical change in the sentiments of the peo-
pie, and buried the pass in the tomb of
forgetfulness. t.s. ass e
The old generation of secesslonists of the
Alex. Fl. Stephens and jeff. Davis school,
who tenderly nurse thoughts of return
to the good old ways of their younger
days, will never yield their sentiments or
surrender their aspiration, until the grave
has closed over them and they finally rest
from agitation. But the new generation
that il. growing up are not imbued with
those old State-rights aud antedeluvian
theories, and in few years when they
come more actively upon the stage of po-
litical life, to take the place Of their fathers,
the heresies of the past will have been lost
sight of, and bs as little known or talked
about as the old stage-coaches which ftly
embemize their era.
But these young men and women will
not be ready to take the reins for some
years yet, and during that interv which
We may call the transition period. it will
be necessary that the present progressive
and enlightened conductors of the govern 4
ment should control its affairs and keep it
in the right direction; that they should
carry it SO far. beyond the dangerous parts
OF the road, before resigning it into their
hands, that there will be no danger of any
accident or relapse through the suddenness
of change. 1t must, in word, be carried
over the trestle-work to the summit of the
mountain, and little beyond, that it may
not roll back again through inexperienced
and reckless handling
The Republican party can carry us over
in safety, but the Democratic party would
ruin the country at the very first plunge it |
made. Indeed, it has been accused of such |
felonous intention, and has not protested |
its innocence by so much as "nay!' We |
cannot and will not trust it. 1t was baIky |
Of old, and has learned many new tricks
instead of forgetting its former shying,
kicking and cavorting plishments.
Therefore, that venerable animal will |
lot suit. His age is against him, and he
s blind of both eyes, spawned, wind
broken, ring-boned, lame, stump sucker,
las the pole evil, and bears the damaging
cars of those innumerable battles which
lave won for him, the title of Old War
Iorse. He has seen his best DAYS no
more to wars will he go. A grateful
,eople have turned him out on the COM
non, and there let him Craze in peace till
lie meets tranquil death from sheer old
ge. He "lags superfous !" but while he
) harmless let him lag. The young colt
is now the Dexter of ths
curse and his time must not be beat; With
ieneral Grant for driver it will not be
The Republican party must therefore
eep well together, and strensthe its
umbers from all available sources by
recruits. 1t must prepare, as
bismarck has prepared, for the future in
bis time of peace. We may lose few skir-
lishes, but no matter if we only have our
orces well in hand for the great, decisive
attic in 1872. That should be the obiec-
we point of every Republican. The small
sues that may arise in the interval will
Q merely personal and local, Of no con-
squence TO the great National Party, and
Mould not be allowed for a moment to
'ad us astray from the direct path of
uty, which is the path to success. We
lust bend all our energies and thoughts to
arry the next Presidential election.
->&D>----
A delegation of the Grand Army of the I
epublic, including General Logan, Gen. I
arnum, Colonel Marshall, Assistant Ad-