New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-30


In declaring the faith and the purpose ofthe
Republican party we trust that the Philadel-
uhia Convention will be emphatic and wise.
Let it remembered that the great principle of
the Republican party is freedom, and its log
ical policy in government, therefore, is JUS
tice, which secures freedom Equal and
exact justice to alp is the familiar and tau
tological maxim of the party, which, more
than any party in history, il has reduced to
practice. 1t went into its first campaign
with the glorious battle-cry Of free man, free
speech, free soil. Let Philadelphia remem-
Der those inspiring days; that awakening
music.
How nobly the party has justified its ex-
istence, and proved its faith by works! The
history Of the last twelve years, mingled of
grief and glory, is its record. They are
years and deeds which pledge every generous
member of that party, proud of it as a sol
der of his army, to continue its old work in
its old spirit and to justify the mastery which
it holds.
The Convention will not forget that it is
not the battle of yesterday which wins the
victory to-day. There are questions with
which the party has not yet fairly grappled
with hearty sympathy which are now of para
mount Importance. A platform must satisfy
the demand of the popular mind and heart
to-day, and party is already moribund which
thinks that the SAVIOR of an old feast will feed
a new guest. There are Republican leaders
who must understand in time that they do
not monopolize wisdom, and that to trust to
enemy may be way to stumble into success,
but is not the way to command it. The
orator who told his pupil always to fear his
audience and always TO do his best, had the
wisdom with which no party leader can dis
pense. The Republican party is surrounded
by enemies. 1t is still serenely master of
the field. But if it cannot discern the signs
of the times it will be master no longer.
Let the party adopt what the President
has proposed, and relieve him from the false
position in which unwise friends have placed
him. The country demands, and the party
which has begun must approve and confirm,
a radical reform of the civil service. The
Philadelphia Convention must proclaim it
absolutely, unequivocally. When the Presi-
dent recommends it, Senators Carpenter and
Cameron and Morton oppose it; and it is
said that as they are the Presidents friends,
they oppose with his consent. 1t is untrue,
but ii is persistently declared. Senator Nor
ton, indeed, frankly said in New York that
the President had gone farther than some of
his best friends approve. Let the Conven-
ton apprise Senator Morton that the Pres-
dent has not gone farther than the party APP
proves. General Butler sneers in the House
while General Garfield affirms the good faith
of the President. Let the Republican party
declare that not General Butler, but General
Grant and General Garfield, speak for it upon
this subject.
The President has also recommended am
nesty, and "some of his best friends" oppose
it. There is really very little disability left.
Everybody may vote, although some leaders
of the rebellion are ineligible to office. But
what remains is of no use as a punishment
or as stigma. 1t serves only as pretense
for complaint. 1t is source Of weakness to
the country, not Of strength. Moreover, the
last Republican platform demanded amnesty
just so fast as the public welfare would JUS
and nothing more, the public welfare de-
mands it. Let the Convention follow the
President in declaring amnesty. 1t is the
proper crown of its work in subduing the
rebellion, and achieving a victory which is
unspotted with vindictiye blood or severity.
1t is the victor Of Appomattox who proposes
amnesty. Let it be the party which held up
his strong arms then that seconds his gem
erous heart now.
And with amnesty let the Convention de-
clare for the security of that equality before
the law which it has established Let it re-
quire absolute conformity to the law of
equality, and permit no discrimination be-
tween citizens wherever the law can prevent
it. Social relations and companionship the
law does not and cannot influence. But it
is the duty of the Republican party to show
that it means what it says. At this Conven-
ton, by its hearty support Of the principle of
Mr.. Summers bill, let it show its resolution
to purge the land, so far as the law can do
it, of the last lingering faint of slavery.
The convention may proudly point to the
reduction of taxation which it has accom-
plished simultaneously with the diminutiOn
of the debt. But while great revenue must
still be collected, and while indirect taxes
are most satisfactory to the people, let the
convention remember that freedom, Justice,
and equality are the party watch-wOrds, and
that taxation must be equalized, and indus
try, as far as practicable. left unfettered.
But the convention will, of course, be con-
scious that the Republican platform is Repub-
lican performance. 1t is the condition of the
country in every aspect which will be the true
appeal of the party. If the nation is sunk in
degradation and sinking deeper. as is some
times alleged; if respect for law is lessen
ing, if honesty has become name only, the
Republican party and its Administration must
bear the responsibility. On the other hand,
II Cnere Is Oeep natlOnal sense OF SCaDl1ty !;
if industry is everywhere prosperous and Sc
cure; if the debt and taxation are steadily
and simultaneously reduced; if investigation
has shown the malice Of charges of corrup-
ton; if reflection reveals the contemplate
pittiness of a swarm of objections which are
urged against the Administration if false
hood and SANDER are seen to have been, and
to be, necessarily striving to stab official
character and to distort the simplest facts if
exceptions have been constantly magnified
into rules, and spirit of detraction within
the party itself has been plainly exposed
then the Republican platform, in declaring
justice and economy to be the law of Repub-
lican administration, will tell only truth
which the country will recognize.
The convention need have no fear, nor
suppose that the country will be frightened,
if its declaration shows that there are some
things which the Republican party has yet to
do. If there were not, if its only business
were to praise its historic deeds, there would
be no need of a convention. Let it point to
the past as the earnest of the future. Let it
say to the country which for twelve years has
heard its voice SO gladly, not I" See what l
have dOne!" but "See what / am going to
do-and follow met"
From the Baltimore Americana
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