Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-06-21
A Brilliant History.

THE history of the Republican party is
not long, but it has bright record OF un-
broken triumphs. Its fifth National Con-
vention has just adjourned at Philadel-
phia. Let us look, briefly, at its four pred
ecessors
The Republican party was organized in
the spring Of 1854-5, and had already en-
ioyed its first victories and held prelim-
mary Convention at Pittsburgh, when, on
June II, 1856, it assembled formally. at
Philadelphia, for the nomination of a
Presidential ticket. Frank Pierce's
wretched Administration was odious
throughout the North, and the outrages
in Kansas had stirred deep and bitter
feeling Of resentment. In wild hurri-
cane of cheers, John c. Fremont and
William L. Dayton we're nominated, and
the Republican creed was propounded
with all the vigor and audacity of youth.
It arraigned the pro-slavery Democratic
party for its hideous crimes against the
fairest of the territories, and its mastery
and intrepid indictment was so far sue
cesful that its ticket carried every free
State except New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Indiana, Illinois and Calfornia-the
States which had suffered the heaviest
Southern immigration. In the Electoral
College il had one hundred and fourteen
of the two hundred and ninety.five votes
polled.
The second Convention met in Chicago
May 16, 1860. 1t assembled in the midst
of an unparalleled national excitement,
when the hostilities had eliminated, aud
the war cloud was about to break. Under
the intense enthusiasm which centered
here, was preternatural calmness of ex-
preston that indicated deliberation and
firm purpose to go forward for freedom
and for union. The platform was a model
of serenity and conciliation. For the
Presidential candidate, William II. Sew
ard led on the first two ballots, and on
the third Abraham Lincoln was nomi-
mated, Hannibal Hamlin being added to
the ticket on the next ballot. Victory
followed. The Democracy suffered vlvl-
section at Charleston, and Douglas and
Breckenridge both claimed the regular"
votes. Breckenridge carried every South
ern State, Bell, however, receiving lew
votes. Lincoln carried every Northern
State, except New Jersey, whose vote he
divided with Douglas.
The third Convention met at
Baltimore, June Z, 1864. Lincoln was
nominated for reelection, securing
all the votes except those of Missouri,
which were cast for General Grant. The
platform was emphatic for the Union, and
it was easy enough to elect its candidates
against a timid soldier on Teactionary
platform. The party received the whole
vote of every State that participated ex-
cept New Jersey, Kentucky and Della
ware.
The fourth Convention was held in this
city, MAY 81, 1863 The war had been
successfully closed The rebellion had
been suppressed. The national honor and
its territorial integrity had been main
tanned. All this contributed to the pres
tige of the Republican party, and made
its next campaign, on the issue OF recon
struction, little less than an ovation.
Grant was unanimously nominated on the
! first ballot ColfaX on the third. They
received the votes of all the States ex-
cepting New York, New Jersey, Della
ware, Maryland Kentucky, Georgia,
Louisiana and Oregon. Virginia, Texas
and Mississippi did not hold elections.
The fifth Convention was held In Phila'
| delphia, June ). Grant was unanimously
nominated on the first ballot with most
uproarious demonstrations of rejoicing
and Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts,, was
added to the ticket on the first ballot fol
| Vice-President.
The history of the Republican party
has not only been a record of victory
| but, better yet, a record of justice. Dur
| ing the last fifteen years it has been the
salvation of the Republic-as champion
against all comers. 1t has fought its
battles, preserved its honor, paid its
debts, freed its oppressed people, recon
structed its dismantled States, raised its
credit from the disasters of a rebellion
nearly to par, and armed every citizen
even the humblest, with ballot. From
the day of its birth it has been politica
missionary; without shuttle, it has pro
claimed the broadest principles of human
rights; without cant, it has dared tt
establish justice. Its record is record o.
righteousness, and the history of thu
continent will never contain any mort
luminous page than that which bears thu
chronicle of its deeds. Chicago Post.