The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-06-08

Somethiuc for the National Republican
Convention To Digest.


psr,S. Giving its history from its inception 10
the present time, and showing his own intimate
connection Herewith during the whole of its ca
reer down to Grants administration, the Sena-
tor said
Here was nothing personal, nothing mean or
petty. The Republican party was necessary and
permanent, and always on an ascending plane.
For such party there was no death, but higher
life and nobler aims; and this was the party to
which gave my vows. But alas how changed.
Once country was the object, and not a man;
once principle was inscribed on the victorious
banners, and not name only.
REPUBLICAN PARTY SEIZED BY THE PREsI-
1t is not difficult to indicate when this disas-
trouss change exalting the will of one man above
all else. became not merely manifest but pain
fully conspicuous. Already it had began to show
itself in personal pretension, to which l shall
fer soon, when suddenly, and without any warn.
ing through the public press, or any expression
from public opinion, the President elected by the
Republican party precipitated upon the country
an lll-consdered and ill.omened scheme for the
annexation of II portion of the island of st. Do
mingo in pursuance of a treaty negotiated by
person Of his own household styling himself
'Aid-de.Camp of the President of the United
States" Had this effort, however I'M 0aicious in
object been confined to ordinary and constitu.
tional proceedings, with proper regard for CO.
ordinate branch of government, it would have
soon dropped out of sight, and been remembered
only as blunder. But it was not SO. Strange
~ and unaccountably it was pressed for months
by every means and appliance of power, whether
at home or abroad, now reaching into the senate
chamber, and now into the waters about the
island. Reluctant senators were subdued to its
support, while treading under foot the consttu-
tion in one of its most distinctive republican
principles, the president seized the war powers
of the nation, instituted foreign intervention,
and capped the climax of usurpation by menace
of violence to the black republic of Hayti, where
the colored race haye commenced the experiment
of self-governnent, thus adding manifest outrage
of the constitution, while the long-sutfering AZ
rican was condemned to new ndignlty. All
these things, so utterly indefensible and aggra-
waiting, and therefore to be promptly disowned,
fonnd defenders on this floor. The president,
who the original author of all these wrongs,
continued to maintain them, and appealed to re-
publican senators for help thus fulfilling the &C.
centric stipulation with the government of Baez,
executed by his Aid-de-Camp.
In exhibiting this autocratic pretension, SO
revolutionary and unrepublican in character,
mean to be moderate in language and to keep
within the strictest bounds. The facts are in
disputable, and nobody can deny the gross vio-
lation OF the constitution and of international
law with insult to the Black Republic-the
whole case being more reprehensible, also
plainly more unconstitutional and more illegal
than anything alleged against Andrew johnson
on his impeachment. Believe me, sir, should
gladly leave this matter to the judgment already
recorded, il it were not put in issue again by
the extraordinary efforts, radating on every
line Of Office to press its author for second term
aud OF, o;1a -
all these efforts are his efforts. They become
more notev orthy when it is considered that the
name of the candidate thus pressed has become a
sign of discord, and not OF concord, dividing in
stead of ur ting republican party, shat these
extraordinary efforts tend directly to the dsrup
tion of the party, all of which he witnesses, and
again by his silence ratifies. "Let the party
split" says the President, III will not renounct
my chance of second term The extent OF this
personal pressure, andthe subordination Of tn,
party to the will of an individual, compel u,
to consider his pretensons. These, too are in the
issue.
PRESIDENTIAL PRETENsIoNs.
son what meat doth this our Caesar feed" tina
he should assume so much d? No honor for vic
tory in war justify disobedience to the con
stitution and to law; nor can it afford the leas
apology Tor ANY personal immunity, privilege o,
license in the presidential Office A Presiden
him that he can do wrong. He is response
BILE always. As President, he is foremost servan
OF the law, bound to obey its slightest mandate
AS the elect of the people, he owes not only tn
example of willing obedience, but also of fidelt,
and industry in the discharge Of his conspicuou
once with an absolute abnegation Of all self
seeking. Nothing for self, but all foI country
And now as we regard the career Of this oaudi
date, we find TO our amaZemont how little it &C
cords with this simple requirement. Bring it t,
the touchstane and it falls
Not only are constitution and law disregarded
but the presidential Office itself is treated ~ lit
tie more than plaything, and perquisite-
vheE not the former then the latter. Here tn
details are ample: showing how, from the begin
ming this exalted trust has dropped to be n per
sonal indulgence, where palace cars, fast horses
and seaside loiterings figure more than duties
how personal aims and objects have been NOR
prominent than the pablo interests how tn
presidential office has been used to advance hi
own family. scale of nepo,ism dwariug ev
erything If the kind in our history, and hardl,
equalled in the corrupt governments where thi
abuse has most prevailed: how in n. same .pirit
once has been conferred upon these from whom
he had received gifts or benefits. thus maxim
the country repay his per-on.l oblgatinns hoy
personal devotion TO himself r,ther than publ
or party service, has teen IN ,de the standard u
favor how the vast appointing power, conterre,
by the constitution for the genera, welfare M,
been employed at his will to promote his schemes
10 reward h's friends, W punirh HIS opponent
and to advance his election To n second term
how all these assumptions have untured in
2)erS0naE g0terhaReIt, semi.milita,v in character
and breathing the military spirit. being - specie
OF Cpsnrisn or peis0Hd(tSW, abhnrrent tn renu
lican institutions, where suhserveuce TO IN,
De- ,Q..,s Z 10.