The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-09-29
Nliooleburp Asgisttr,
The Republican Party

II ,s with lustiiiaLle pride that we
poiui to the noble record of the Repub-
lean party. II came up from small
beginnings. A little band of Free Soil
ers felt it TO lie their duty to utter the
protest against the extension of human
slavery Of entire separation from all
political affiliations with parties run
In the interest of the Ubiquitous system
of dealing In the merchandise of hui
man beings and immortal souls. They
knew they were in seemingly hope
less minority. but with God and the
right on their side they had faith that
they should ultimately triumph. The
Democratic party had the prestige OF
long continued success, the most power
full party machinery, and the control
of extensive governmental patronage.
But this was of no avail in conflict OF
principles. The right must eventually
triumph. In 1860 the little band oil
reformcrs had grown TO be a great ma
tonal party with power TO seize and
and from that time until the present it
has controlled the policy of the nation,
ON the Inauguration of President Lin
coin in the spring Of 1861, the crisis
came in the struggle between freedom
and slavery 1t assumed the hideous
proportions of civil war with all that
Is signified by that fearful name. In
dustry was paralyzed, our sources OF
revenue dried up, immense expendi-
lures of money followed in the equip
ment and support of armies and the
provision of the sinews of war, ana
what was most terrible fall, rivers OF
blood, the precious blood of sons and
brothers and husbands, flowed from the
mountains down to the sea. Those
were dark days. Hope almost went
out while mourning and the sable
weeds of widowhood and orphanage
were everywhere present, During the
four years of war which followed, de-
feat alternated with victory and it re-
CURED strong faith TO keep up hope in
successful issue. But the administra-
ton which was the visible representa-
tive of the Republican party and Re
publican principles, pressed patiently
forward in the noble work of its APP
pointment and at length, after so many
and such noble sacrifices, including the
martyrdom of the sainted Lincoln, the
contest was ended and victory perched
upon the banner of liberty. Our free
Republican government was to sur
yiye. 1t was settled forever that no
traltorous hands should pull down the
flag of freedom and flaunt their own
flag dedicated TO the oppression Of the
human race, defantly in the face OF
the Goddess of Liberty.
party has been called TO 6 work even
more difficult and more exalted, Re
construction required the highest
Craftsmanship. If there has been n
partial failure in this most difficult of
all tasks, if our statesmen have failed
70 attain, as the results of their efforts,
all that we could wish, yet when it is
considered what they have accom-
plished, and the difficulties in their
way. tho most contunnacious fault find
er must concede that the results have
been far from Inadequate. With dis
affected population in one-third of the
states of the Union. with large mass
Ofignorant and often vicious people of
different race, just freed from abjoct
slavery, and given the franchises OF
citizenship, of course stimulated to
pride and arrogance and arousing most
bitter antagonisms, ii could scarcely he
expected that such peaceful and hap
py solution of difficulties could be at
once realized, as we might reasonably
hope for from homogeneous popula-
ton not excited by passions and preiu-
dices, as our southern brethren are
With all the intricate problems of his
reconstruction our leaders have crap
pied and with measurable success. The
weak had to be protected, and the
strong controlled with firm hand.
And while doing this they have exer-
cised true kindness and Cancellation
The leaders have been pardoned, and,
indeed, not one exemplary execution
has been demanded or enforced. So
today, with the fresh record of one OF
two exceptional fiascos before us which
only prove the necessity of Federal
surveillance for some time to come we
may maintain The assertion that the
states lately in rebellion are self-gov.
erned, and that the permanent con.
altions of true civil liberty are in peace
ful and habitual prevalence,
The successful foreign policy OF the
dominant party is notable instance
Of the good work they have done TIL,
government has secured and main
tanned pacific relations with all tn,
powers of the earth, even though com
plicating circumstances have, in sever
al instances rendered il a Herculeai
TASK. The result OF the Geneva arbi
tratiOn and cur relations with japan
and China and the rest of the worlC
have been such as to flatter our nation
vanity. and Justify self congraiula
tion.
But, perhaps, the chef d'muyre rf it
accomplishments, is the financial sue
cess. On the lst of March 1868, OH
national debt was no less than 81 ,525
1853, 200, and in July 1874 it had beef
reduced to s., l43, Oss, 24l, a decrease o
$3s2, 1875, 0ls, reduction of Is per cen
in five years. In May, 1869, the treas
ury purchased its own bonds at the pa
of 500 for the sinking fund at the rat
ofs2 72-100 gold. The market value o
the same bonds In September, 1874 il