Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1871-01-21
PARTY MOVEMENTS.

in the ranks of the Republican party
and we are satisfied that disaffection
has grown out of palpable neglect of
great questions which are, and have
been of vital importance to the country,
while the party has been running after
that would have been better
let alone. There is not school boy in
the land but knows the causes which
led to the late unpleasantness" be-
tween the North and South-Constitu
tional questions which have been agi-
tated since the first formation of the
Government were discussed and cam
vassed, partizan feeling fostered, and
sectional hatred engendered, until it
ended in the thunder and smoke of can
non aud the bayonet charge.
The people of the Southern States,
believing in the principles iuculcated
by John G. Calhoun and his coherents
-" that State had a perfect right to
Judge of infractions of the Constitution,
as we'll as the manner and mode of re-
dress'-in other words, they were firm
in the belief that when, in the opinion
of a State, their interests were inter-
tered with, or their wishes frustrated,
although it might be for the substantial
benefit of the country at large, they
had, # they chose to use it, perfect
right to nullify all proceedings, bv qui-
etIy seeding from the Union. Bellev-
ing this to be their Constitutional right,
whenever they became dissatisfied with
any of the proceedings of the Govern-
ment, they resorted to their, as they
deemed, legitimate right, and, as far as
they could, severed their allegiance to
the general Government, aud declared
themselves independent.
But after battling for four years for
the sustainanco Of their independence,
they found it was impossible for them
to act the part they desired, they gave
up the contest, and yielded to the force
of circumstances
They believed none the less firmly
that they were right-they never ad-
mitted anything which denounced the
principles for which they had been
contending Cat least but few of them
did); they were subdued by superior
force, but not line or u word has es-
capped many Of them that could be con-
stiued intd concession that the princi.
Piles for which they had been fighting
were anything else but right and
proper. The people expected, as nat.
nral sequence, when the war closed, to
see an amendment eugraft2d into the
Magma Charta of American liberties for
ever placing this vexcd question ut rest
In this they were disappointed
They also expected to see action,
vigorous and strong, to make treason
odious in the eyes tf the whole people
so that the United States would never
more be troubled with such scenes as
had already been enacted on this Cont.
nent. But instead of that, We saw those
who had acted prominent parts in the
effort to break up the Government, moi
onlyIurned loose and allowed to do and
say what they pleased, but in few in
stances, even given lucrative situation,
under the fostering care of tho very
Government which they had been fight
ing to destroy.
After the war closed and peace wa.
established, another Of the great ques'
tions which followed in its wake wa,
the settlement of the public debt. On
this question, many true hearted patri
OTIS differed. Some were in favor O
paying the debt at all hazards, Will,
the ground was taken and we'll sustain
ed by others, that the blessings to b.
derived from the sustentation of Re
| publican Government in this countr,
would be shared, not only by those nov
living, but by coming generations. Hat
there been none to share the blessing
to accrue from the upholding of tn,
Government bnt those now living, i
were worse than useless to spend 81
much treasure, and spill so much bloc,
as was split and spent during the lat
rebellion.
1t was for the benefit not only of our
selves, but for those to come that th
sacrifice was made; and as boon t
be shared with them, it is no more thar
right that they should share the bur
den. The public debt should be pal,
honestly and fully, but we are incline'
/ L. s..I. Al, r. e Al 81