New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-21
The Unity of the Republican Party.

We commend to the consideration of on,
readers the following article from the
Golden Age, contributed by Theodore
| Tilton:
The great multitude of young men in this
| country whose chief experience with politi
| cal questions has been as voters in the Re
publican party-whOse maiden vote was
| cast for Fremont, and who cherished a
hearty affection tor the political organiza
| ton which resisted the extension of slavery
which defended the Union against the
| rebels, which emancipated four million
serfs, and which enfranchised all types and
classes of men-this younger multitude OF
Republicans look with uncommon regret on
the threatened disruption of their political
party by Presidential chief who. instead
of cleaving it asunder, ought to be binding
it together.
Last week one wing of the Republican
party unfolded its banners and encamped
in the Academy of Music Brooklyn; the
other, in still greater numbers, and under
the clarion call of two favorite Senators,
made its first demonstration of battle at
Cooper Institute, New York. These two
opposing meetings were within one and the
same party-an array not of Capulets and
Capulet against Capulet-dividing an an
cient and honored house against itself-a
split which should not exist and which,
since it was caused by one mans attitude,
could be cured in an hour, if that solitary
parsonage would step out of the way.
Let us be frank. The good of the coun-
try requires not only that Grant should not
be renominated, but that he should volun-
tally, and in advance, and without fur
Their delay, notify his partisans that he will
not be candidate at Philadelphia. Five
fuoy 4 he 20 ~. Il
would keep the Republican party unbrOken.
Otherwise it will Open-like an oyster into
two shells, perhaps leaving the enemy to
feast on what lies between. If Grant has
the good of his country at heart, if he
would rather see his party united than di-
vided, if personal ambition is not the chief
motive OF his breast, he will recognize the
fact that his threatened renominatiOn-ths,
and this alOne-is severing the Republican
party and that, take away the fear of this
denomination, and there would be no cause
for the Cincinnati convention. If he would
serve his country land we believe he seeks
to do sol his course is clear-let him retire
from the field.
No matter how the Republican dissatis-
faction toward him has arisen-it exists
This fact is evident, paramount, and stag
gerlng. Last week as the two great meet
lnSs-the one for, the other against him
composed, as both were, of the best men
IN the two cities-we asked ourselves this
question:: If the East river, flowing be-
tween these twin sections of common party,
could'wash out this mans unwelcome name
as candidate for second term, what else
would exist to divide two such throngs of
life long political friends Nothing at all
Is it not q pity, then, is it not a calamity. is
it not shame, that one mans personal am
bition-and he, too, of meagre ability, and
without any of the natural or acquired
qualifications of atesmanship-should be
allowed to disrupt the greatest political
party known in American history
There is one way-and but one-of keep
ing the Republican party intact; and that
is, by Grants withdrawal from the candi-
dacy. Thousands and<eens of thousands of
Republicans would not vote for him again.
even though he should be jointly nominated
both at Cincinnati and Philadelphia. Some
base their opposition to him on the whole
some principle of one term-a reason which,
if there was no other, would be enough;
others like ourselves) On the commonplace
and mediocre character OF an administra-
ton which las we have often described it,
is too good to be bad, and too bad to be
good; others on the disgraceful character Of