The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-05-10
The Republican Party on Trial.
From the New York Time.


Like all great organizations, it will do
its part in history, and make way for
something better adapted to the times
IL has already won a name in American
annals which will always be remembered
with honor. 1t began with the highest
enthusiasm and noblest purpose the
struggle with the most firmly defended
and powerful system of injustice which
the world has seen. Though defeated,
it renewed the struggle. BY the mad
ness of its adversaries, the contest was
transferred from the field of politics
TO that OF war, and the Republican
party became not merely the guardian
OF liberty, but the defender of the life
of the nation. Through the most
terrific civil contest of modern times, it
led the councils as well as the military
movements of the Northern people.
Its present civil head gdided its armies.
Under his leadership, struggle long
doubtful resulted in complete success.
The same great organization was then
put on trial, as TO its worthiness to lead
the counsels Of the nation in peace.
The people decided by an overwhelm-
ing vote again to entrust the Republican
party with power. For nearly eight
years, amid many difficulties, it has
undertaken the immense task OF gov
erning a conqured district of vast size,
OF reuniting hostile States, of amalga-
mating rebellious population with
their conquerors, Of bestowing rights
upon a late servile and ignorant multi.
tude and protecting them as wards
trusted TO the nations honor We do
not assert that this most difficult and
responsible labor has been perfectly
performed. There are many things
doubtless which could have been bet
ter done, and some which should have
been left undone. There are delicate
and perplexing questions not yet set
tied In the administration of the South
ern States. Still we do confidently
assert that there is no instance in
history where great and conquering
political party has administered such
vast and complicated affairs so wisely
and so safely.
Take the uniform experience of
Europe in putting down rebellions and
finishing revolutions. France exiled,
after her religious civil wars, almost her
whole Huguenot population. Still later
the excuses of the popular party, in
1898, left seeds of revolution and con.
vulsion which have been ripening ever
since. In England and Ireland the
passions of the conquering party sub
jecting Ireland have exposed that UNI
happy island TO discord, discomfort and
civil war during every generation; and
in England itself, the excuses of both
Puritan and Royalist left wounds which
time has hardly healed yet. When cid
ever conquering party inaugurate to-
ward rebels such mild and humane
legislation as the Republicans have
done, ever since the surrender of Lee?
Not rebel leader has been executed
hardly one ever punished. Where is
there an instance of more humane and
wise administration than this same
party has exercised toward the negroes
Under their wise guidance, emancipa.
ton, instead of being nvulsion, or
the overthrow of all industrial interests,
or the degradation of the laboring
classes, as was feared, has been
healthiul and invigorating change.
Disregardipg the prejudices of race, the
Republicans have conferred the right of
suffrage on these emancipated slaves as
a means of protection. Wisely consid-
ering that in a Republic education is
the basis OF liberty, they have
provided for their mental training. To
them, as to the whites, they have
opened all offices and every career.
To the surprise of the world, under
such generous and judicious legislation
the blacks have shown themselves |
worthy of freedom. No excuses have
been committed, no agrarian laws have
been introduced, no rroLetaire classes
have been formed.
The negroes have produced the great |
crop of the Soutn, TO an extent In value |
equal to the best under slavery. They |
are orderly, law-loving, and without
spirit Of revenge toward the whites. |
They have used their liberties as we'll |
as any emancipated population was
ever known 10 use them. If adventur-
ers have here or there employed the |
negroes TO carry out personal and dis.
graceful ends, it is no more than our |
own white demagogues often do with |
our own lower class. The criticisms on
the success. of the Republican party at
the South are too much from an i'm. |
practicable and doctrinaire standpoint. |
Where did any country or party ever
succeed better with an emancipated |
people? What would our opponents
have done?
More than this, this great party had
the enormous problem to solve of pay
ing off gradually one of the heaviest
debts of modern times, and at |
the same time of not burdening the |
people too severely. We do not assert /
that in this also they have done per-
fectly. We have often, as is well known.
criticised the action of Congress keenly |
on this subject. Still, what party ever
did better? Where was ever an instance
known of such an immense amount of |
debt paid, and such great reduction of
taxation brought about? The financial
policy of the country may not have
been perfectly wise, yet we stand now
in an unexampled position of prosper-
ty and financial success before the
world.
Beyond all this, we had on our hands
the interests Of those unfortunate wards