The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-02-04
Vice President Wilson and the Republican
Party.

Party.
The Springfield (Mass.) Republican recently
contained the following letter on the political
situation from the Vice President of the United
States, which has attracted much attention
throughout the country, and IS regarded as
damaging arraignment of President Grant for
his management of public aud party affairs:
WASHINGTON, D. O., Jan. 10. 1875.
70 the Editor of tho Republican: ,.
I find in your Journal a statement that I
agree with You that the Republican party is
dead.
I beg leave to say that do not agree with
the Republican or with any man or any set of
men in the opinion that it is dead or hopelessly
defeated. On the contrary, believe that the
Republican party has it in its power to recover
what it has lost and elect the next President.
In saying this I am not uumindful of the grave
questions at issue, and which are pressing for
solution, of the disasters that have fallen upon
it, nor of the hopes, expectations and strength
of the Democratic party--a party whose
strength and power have never underrated.
I believe it can recover all it has lost win back
its former prestige and still retain its power in
the government; and [ believe this, because l
grand work of liberty and patriotism it has per-
formed imperatively demands that it should
continue to guide the policy Of the nation
liberty, law, order, protection and civilization
cannot afford to have it permanently defeated.
saw quite as early as any one the perils of
the Republican party, and more than thirteen
months since warned my political friends of
the danger of losing the next House of Repre-
sentatives. The party has made mistakes, aud
is now paying the penalty of those mistakes;
but its ideas, principles and general policies
have not been condemned. 1t has been taught
by recent disasters that it is mortal, and if it is
wise it will heed those lessons It would seem
that neither selfshness nor stupidity could fail
to, understand them or misinterpret their i'm
port. If the Republican party now dies it will
die by the hand of the suicide, for there is no
arm, other than its own, potent enough to
strike it. down. 1t cannot, think, hope to
recover its lost prestige and power by policy
of rewards and punishments, or by party dis
cip1ine, There are hundreds of thousands in
the Republican party to-day who spurned the
bribes and frowns of power and left the Wing
and Democratic parties for the sake of princi-
pies deemed by them important and sacred.
These men cannot be seduced by the blaudish-
ments of power, nor greatly moved by threats
of discipline Mere politicians, who think
they can govern by the whip of party disci-
or control the thoughtful and indepen-
dent men who struck the lash from the hand
of the slave masters. Nor eau we recover
what is lost in Massachusetts, or in the country
by the impertinent intermeddliug of office
holders in nominations and elections. Office
holders should learn from the recent elections
that they can serve the Republican party best
by performing their official duties with scrupu-
lous fidelity. ,.
The people should be left free to manage in
their own way, and without official interfer-
ence, their primary meetings and elections, for,
or wrongfully, they have been com
PEELED to believe that there are those holding
Office in Massachusetts, in the country, and
at the South, some of them in i'm
portant positions, who do not ftly represent
the desires and wishes of their localities, and
who have not the public confidence. The
party, burdened by such, is not likely to be led
to victory by their obtrusive interference, either
in Massachusetts, or in the country, North or
South. ..,...f t..s. 10 ... 90. ..
The disastrous division of the Republican
party in 1872 was to me distressing event.
It seemed to me to be the unnecessary separa-
ton Of comrades who had toiled together for
SO many years for noble purposes and glori
GUS cause. did all l could, by remonstrance
and appeal, to prevent it, and have since
sought to re-unite what was then so disastrous
ly and unnecessarily broken. And would
now throw the doors wide open for the return
Of those who voted for Mr. Greeley in 1872, |
and earnestly invite them to re-unite again
with their old associates. Indeed, at any mo- |
ment since that election would have pursued
eyo1 Too orH
the men who then left us, and now; without
the loss Of single hour, would in all siucer-
ty extend the hand Of reconciliation. would
press in that unfortunate division; to unite
with the great party which, with all its errors,
faults and mistakes, has made glorious record !
for country, freedom and progress. do not
ask you to refrain from criticism, nor to leave
its mistakes for party that can
not tolerate that is already in its decadence.
There has been and now is class of men in
the South, Douglass Democrats and old line
national Wigs, who were dragged into the re-
belion, but who have very little sympathy
with the Democratic party. | have believed, |
and now believe that these men should be in
vited to cooperate with the Republican party,
and share in its responsibilities and honors. |
believe that peace in the South, the blotting
out of divisions and the line of race, the ad-
Of real reconstruction permanent
Southern prosperity and the success of the Re-
publican party, demand that all honorable |
efforts should be made to withdraw such men
from association with those who led them into
brought such fearful and ndescriba-
BILE rnin upon them, and who still adhere to |
the 'aost cause" 1t seems to me that Repub-
licans everywhere in Office and out of office,
should subordinate all personal desires, aspira-
tions and ambitions, sacrifice their interests if
need be, rally again for the party invite every
body to crowd its ranks and bring to the front,
to the important positions of the government,
all the experience, ability and character they
can command. A. broad, wise and maguani-
nous policy should be promptly inaugurated
and steadily and honestly pursued. When the
country clearly sees, as it will see, the only
alternative presented, the real issues involved
the policies and men to be supported, their
record in the past and their present affiliations
who and what shall prevail if the Republican
"a rtN be SET aside When the country sees |