Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-30
REPUBLICAN, ASCENDENCY VITAL
TO THE NATION
BY HoS. ScUYLER CoLEAx, VIcE pREsIDEE;
OF THE UNITED STATES.
From the Independent

OF THE UNITED STATES.
/ From the Independent
When in 1866, President of the United
States, aided by his entire Cabinet, by able
Senators and Representatives, and many other
| distinguished men, turned the whole power of
his administration against the party whose
misplaced confidence had intrusted it into his
hands, it was fashionable for those who sup
ported him to excaim ''rhe republican par
ty having fulfilled its mission of destroying
slavery and vanquishing rebellion, it is time
now for new organizations and associations"
But it proved to be party with a stronger
hold on the popular heart than any of the
political parties of this country; and, instead
of being overthrown by this threatening Sc
cession, it came out stronger and more pow
erful than before.
What would have been the results to the
nation and its interests, to those great princi-
pies for which so much has been achieved
since 1866, if Congress in sympathy with
President johnson had been chosen by the
people, instead of one hostile to him and his
policy-if the compact and united republican
organization had been disbanded, and new
parties formed-is so we'll understood now
that need not detail them.
| Again, the unity of this organization-san
tilted though it has been by so much patriotic
blood and SO many sacred tears, stirring as it
has, the conscience of the nation to its pro-
foundest depths, prayed over by so many pious
hearts, and with history of which millions
are SO justly proud-is imperiled by attempts
to rend it asunder into two antagonizing ma
| al m foe no
ment of affliating one wing of the divided
party with those who, from the hour of
the birth of the republican organization, have
sought, though Intellectually, to stab it to
death.
This experiment has already been tested in
Tennessee and Missouri, with exactly identical
results. In each State one wing of the re-
publican party placed in the field republican
State ticket in opposition to the regular nomi-
nees. In each State the democracy declined
to nominate a party ticket, but supported the
independent republicans. In each State ap-
peals were made to the republican voters to
vote for the independent republican ticket, on
the ground that it was really only choice
among men of their own faith. In each State,
by these appeals and with the aid of the dem
: ocratic vote en- masse, the Independent repub-
: lican State ticket was chosen, but with a demo-
t cratic legislature and maj ority of democratic
Congressman. In each State a democratic
J United States Senator has been since elected.
And no States are now claimed-though, per-
haps, incorrectly-as more certainly against
the republicans than Tennessee and Missouri
1t is proposed now to repeat these experiments
on the broader arena of the nation. "In vain
is the snare set in sight of the bird
1t cannot be doubted that many earnest re-
publicans Joined in these State movements,
who deeply but unavailingy regret now their
results. And,s doubtless, many earnest re-
publicans, influenced by personal or legisla-
tive considerations, mray have given aid and
comfort to the pending movement, in the hope
of more suspicious results. But fort which
could be easily held by its defenders is often
, most difficult of recapture when lost; while a
party which comes into power is always con-
trolled by the elements which constitute a
majority of its membership. To capture the
fort, the aid of some of its former defenders
may be necessary. Once captured, the ma
jority of the victors hold supreme sway. If
l this is doubted, let Tennessee and Missouri
answer the doubter.
If quarter of a million, or even as many
as half million republicans could be induced
, tojoin three million of democrats in defeat
ing the regular republican organization, six
seventies of the new cabinet would belong
9 proportonately to the dominating wing of the
coalition. The supporters of the new admin
istration in Congress would be of the same
political faith. And it does not need to recall
5 the history of Andrew Johnson, nor of John
Tyler, to prove that, whatever might have
been their political principles when elected,
: administrations rapidly assimiate in political
/ policy with their political supporters in Con-
gress. If they must rely for defence on po-
litical opponents, that very necessity, by a
force more potential than magnetism or gravi-
tation, draws them together.
Can the ascendency of the republican party
in our nation be safely or wisely surrendered?
Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina
were all, after reconstruction, republican
States. The former State was carried against
the regular republican nominees for Cover
nor, &c., by what was called conservative
republican ticket, the candidates on which
claimed during the canvas to be better friends
of the President than their opponents, even
telegraphing their congratulations to him
when they won their victory. Has any one
heard of any triumphs for republican princi-
pies or ideas in its legislation since, or in the
Constitutional Convention of West Virginia
or in the Ku-Klux dens of North Carolina?
When organized conspiracy, violence, whip
ping, mutlation, arson and murder defy, as
in some States now, the national as well as
the local government and laws, despite Presi-
dent, Cabinet, Congress, and all the power of
the nation being known to be on the side of
those whom they seek to intimidate and out
rage, how much more deplorable would be the
condition of their poor victims with the re-
publican party out of power? Would their
hope of protection increased? Would their
wicked and brutal enemies stay their hands?
Would our national credit, the right arm of
our country in time of peril, (more powerful
than an army, because by it armies and ma
4 vies can rapidly be called into existence when
needed, be strengthened by the overthrow of
Republican ascendency? Under Republican
administration it has steadily improved, here
as well as abroad. A party that never bowed
the knee to prejudice, and dared to risk the
} odium OF most burdensome taxation when
needed to keep our flag flying in the field.
and which, when peace came dared to reduce
taxation, year by year, only to such an extent
as would not hazard our finances, inspires a
confidence that no other organization could
command. And its result is seen in the pros
perity of the nation, the development Of its
resources, the enlargement of its productions,
the maintenance Of the wages of labor, the