National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-05-10

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Great War came there wa fusion of parlle,
All were enlisted under the old banner VIII,
were determined on the preservation of tn
Union, to the defeat of Slavery. Everything
else was secondary, Aud 50, in the Nationa
Army, AID the people who stood behind 1t
there was no division Of opinions as 10 the poll
cy aud administration of tho Government il
, peaceful times, because of the great overshad
owing question. shall there be u Government Il
he administered in peaceful times ut ALL
Aud have always thought that whcr thu
war was over, aud slavery eIterminated, and
the Government was safe, and there WAS M
chance ~ JEOPARDY 10 the achievements Of the
WAT no ri K of violation Of obligations result
Ing from the war-when the necessary amend
ilents To the Constitution were made, and un
lualinedly respected aud equal rights were in
fact ~ well as In name secure To all, and every
dollar Of the Nations debt was, as some ono
has said, las sacred asa soldiers grave"-whcn
the Republican party had accomplished its
original object aud agreat deal more, then,
have thought, the original elements u. the Re
publican party would, to u certain extent, re-
|
issues arising there might be readjustment
somewhat of party platforms nm! party lines.
say of new issues arising, because they are
arising have already arisen, aud will ever arise.
Aud the nation, standing in the presence OF
new aims aud aspirations, new hopes and du-
ties must meet these issues, nor attempt la
derde or evade them. The world moves, and
| %, man and the m -fiea Win la NOT moNe az
will he run over and crushed out. But while
| have thought party lines would be- construct
ed somewhat anew, have hoped the Republic
can party, sloughing oil the useless old and
taking in aud inspired by the vital new, would
he substantially the party OF the long futn'
! II wac such noble party 1t reprcsr" ed such
indispensable ideas of justice ~, equality 1t
went 80 braNcll "tnder IT, cloud and through
the crimson sea" !. did its work SO we'll 1t
i, euca noble party Has such ~ grand cot
i ucncy-has such vantage ground Is 80
capable of carry ing out the best purposes of
the wisost men Il seems to me that such n
! GRAND historic organization has not yet done
it, work. aud Is not yet To pass away. Ger
tainiy, not vet are the pall-oearcrs at the door.
AAI it Is lot IL bc the party of the iutnre,I
certainly Is the putty Of the present. Wheie
o..e j. -..,l.
rejoice Al very s!sa ola new departure by
,hc u, !n",r rat. e., .ry token that regulating
their OH positions, they accept the new situ"-
to-. sad h,s 80, new lie. But Whatever they
may d. a, individuals or in individual states
what tile hay, they, A. national party, to
the cJ.ii,lc.cc 81 the people and the "oItrulo
tho government Asapar,y they were tainted
Mi,I Gi.,uy.,t. Cli!as tie war, AMI at1c Acv-
e. been f.aa'. =, genuinely loyal since the war.
In the last rrceiioutiar struggle. they virtual
lyiuscribod Oh t.c.a banners reputation oithc
national dc6t and notification y the coustitu-
tional amendments. The party. d 1t has been,
/, uuwulthy to exist. 1t ought To die and be
buried. 1t can really live again only on new
platforms and under new watchword-. lis
mo i sa.acious leaders understand 1t. The |
new platforms and watchwoIl- are coming
have already come in some quarters. And the
nca or they arc t. those of tie Republican
party the ucttcrit will be Nothing should he
moro gladly hal ed Ian the hearty acceptance
ON all sides everywhere of all the results of the
great strusglc-a forgetting of the things that
are behind and a reaching forward to those
t lat are before. Blessed will be that day when
there shall he a return of frateinal feeling and
mutual wll-when the determination Of
the people shall be as cordial ard complete as
the war was bitter and terrible
We m ust all pray for that day 1t has not
come yet. 1t will never come except by
steady persistent Government tile alton, in
the line " ich shuts out all revival Of the old
issues, and all possibility Of revival until, SO
far as the legitimate and logical results of the
war are concerned, all, by whatsoever name
called. shall become in fact Republicans,
There must be no turning to the right hand,
nor to the left by the Old Guard, until the old
,oHGic; is al cone.
This is the sentiment and the will of tie
people. The Democracy of Connecticut, and
New Hampshire may put themselves on per {
toc;ly acccItabic platforms, may present meet
.XcclleAt and popular candidates but victory l
: not with tAon. The people do lot yet be-
ieve III the sincerity of such leadership in the {
Democracy, nor i'll the conversion Of the rank t
md file. They know that the division between
he Republican and Democratic parties was a
ouuded upon absolutely irreconcilable views c
fthc nature of government and human ri.h hts. i
There Was great gulf between the industries |
.ud tLco.its Az life and conscience of these I
wo parties The two sides were tested in the c
are OF battle The formal acquicsceuce in (
he defeat does not eradicate the difference. |
simply saying by cones shall be by Cones, does {
lot make it so. That does not take away the a
ID partisan, obstructive, Bourbon spirit. i
.Ei S. hen the Democratic party says so only {
i certain localities, and, even where it does J
Iy SO has its sincerity somewhat doubted, a
no is audacious enough to think that to the t
coping of tlut party, with its bad history as |
ad as il can be, the people, whose memories il
re fresh with the burdens and blood of the =
ar, will commit the precious interests of the Il
epublic Il
The thing is not possible. The Democracy 5
now it is not possible. And while | do not
hibernate the power of that party, its pas a
on and wealth, its able mea and anxiety for u
)ntrol, believe in my heart it has no hope ?
= it-elf, of getting possession of the Govern
lcnt. IL
Where, then, lies the danger if any there be u
light within the Republican lines. Outside of
lose lines, and barring all aid from within, !,
ere is not an enemy that can begin to stand
, In the coming Presidential struggle !.
Why is there danger in that direction, and
hat is its extent : There are Republicans
me Of whom have been in the very trent of =
e party in all its grand career, who declare :,
q pre sent aimiustr IA ion 40 II sfactnrv in