The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-07-13
HAS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
CONPLETEDITs MISSION.

The Republican rorty came fully into be-
II ~ in 1856. The ensuing battle was to be
etwssn the friends Of freedom and the adj
+. COATES of slavery. The new party adopted
as its chief resolution the distinguishing fea-
turs OF the declaration Of Independence, that
all men are born free and with an una len-
able right TO life, liberty and happiness With
the magic name Of Fremont upon its banner
it fought ga liant contest, but was defeated.
Following that defeat ensued four years more
Of compromise and slave hunts, Dred Scott
decisions. Kansas s.s.rages and personal as
saults. But the era of compromise and slave
hunting was about over. The CREST issue
which was sooner or later to demand the
judgment and decide the destiny Of the Amer
lean people was at last fairly presented viz :
'Freedom or slavery As the time for an
other election approached the record Of the
Republican party was examined by the peo-
pie and it was found to have proved itself
true to its profession. The distinguishing
principle between the two parties had been
contested in the territtry of kansas, and
1850 found that eiritory virtually free
State. But the contest was not surrendered.
On the 24th May, 1860. resolution offered
in the q. >. Senats, declaring that freedom
Of speech In oil the States and Territories Of
this Union, on all subjects OF domestic and
national policy should be maintained invo.
late, was defeated BY a vote of So to 20, the
minority all Republicans. Four days prior to
this reoreant action of ths Senate the Repub.
lican National Committee met at Chicago, H.,
Its chiet resolution declared that the CAUSES
which called the Republican party into exis-
tenes, were premature In their nature, and re-
iterated ~ their cardinal doc :rine, tie prin.
ciples Of the Declaration of independence.
Il declared all citizens native and naturalized
at home and abroad, entitled to equal rights
and protection. The convention further
so'smnly asserted that the Union If the
States must be preserved at whatever cost.
With these principles, as note t. tae rest,
they placed the name Of Abraham Lincoln
upon the folds of the National flag, and en-
tered the campaign. One wing of the Demo-
cratic party few the black and another pie
bald flag, but all vert down before the en-
blem Of Union and Freedom Wrong peve,
willingly submitted to right. Beaten at the
ballot box the South appealed to arms. In
the chosen arena, the territories, freed, m lad
vanquished slavery, but the same day tina.
witnessed the admission of Kansa as a State.
witnessed also TIE departure of Jefferson
Davis and his co-traitors, to begin the work
oi blood. The Republican party had do.
clarsd in its platform that the rights Of the
States should not be disturbed and Hat :,
held in adherence all schemes for disuuion
fasently had the eight waited for it's tardy
triumph. Now was 1t to b, subjected to So.
Preme test. The sun secession was already at
meridian, and the war Immediately followed.
The Republican party desired no contest would
have gladly declined one, but it was founded
upon principle and could not deviate from its
constitutional duty whether that duty lay in
the paths ofpeace or the Relds oi war. Durinr
the war II had proved faithful to it's pledges
of 1850 and in 1854 was continued in nowsr.
when the smoke of carnage had been dispeI.
led from the face Of the natioh, the same par.
ty was again opposed At the ballot box.
More than three years of this Administra-
t"n have passed, and once more we survey
the record Of the Republican party. What
does It propose to dot Before the war il had
won The battle Of free MISUNDERSTANDING the
war It aboltshed slavery. Protesting to alb
hor all attempts at disunion. it has steadfas
y and successfully maintained that Union
against all adversaries. It has submitted to
the people three Amendments to the Constitu-
ton. which have been ratified. These amend-
nents' besides abolishiaR slavery, have made
citissnship unis.rsal, and hsse granted equal
rights TO all. The goysrnmsnt has BEEN con-
dustsd upon an economical basis and the tar.