The Portland daily press., 1875-06-09
The Views of a Veteran.

NlCe TTeSiueuI WllSOu udS dCqulleu tho
reputation of possessing great political sag
acity and the talent of correctly forecasting
political combinations and results. To him
perhaps more than to any other man is ow-
ing that rupture of the national council of
the American organization which resulted in
the formation of the Republican party-the
most mastery stroke in political warfare for
fifty years. He is, too, the most conspeu-
Gus living member of that band of anti
slavery leaders whom we once fondly called
the champions of freedom. He assisted at
the birth of the party of liberty, took part in
the glorious achievements of its youth, and
shared in the triumph of its lusty and vigor-
Gus manhood. His long service, fidelity and
experience command for him an attentive
hearing, and give to his words weight
scarcely possessed by those of other leaders.
Mr.. Wilson believes that the Republican
party can carry the country if it conducts it.
self wisely and with prudence. He recog-
nizes that great opportunities and much
strength have been wasted, but holds that
the lost ground can be recovered if proper
measures be Immediately taken. To accom-
plish success a reunion of the divided forces
is necessary. Indeed this proposition is only
a simple arithmetcal statement. The coun-
try was carried by the Democrats last fall by
the aid of Republican votes. The Democ-
racy can only succeed in 1875 by retaining
these votes. The Republicans can recover
national ascendency only by regaining these
votes. On the record we stand as minority
party. In the autumn elections the Democ-
racy carried twenty-three out of thirty-seven
states, secured popular majority of $4,000
on total vote of only 100000 less than the
presidential vote of 1872, and gained y large
majority in the House of Representatives.
That this vote was an expression of conf
dence in the Democratic party is not claimed
by the wisest leaders of that organization.
That it was rebuke to the Republican party
its trusted chiefs have repeatedly acknowl-
edged. That this large body of voters hold
deny. Whichever party commands their
suffrages commands success.
These men who hold the balance of power
are by education, affiliation and conviction,
Republicans. Last fall they we're alienated
by causes which have been repeatedly set
forth, and which there is little necessity of
dwelling upon now. Suffice it to say that
many of their objections to the party have
disappeared entirely, and others have lost
much of their weight. If these objections
are entirely removed the seceders are more
likely to return to the Republicans than to
continue to act with the Democrats. Indeed
their old dstrust of the Democracy has of
late revived. The character of its selections
for the Senate, its administration of State
governments, its reactonary utterances, its
utter incapacity for the work of national re-
form, its want OF we'll defined policy, and
its absurd position on the financial question,
have greatly weakened its claims on the
thoughtful voter. In effect it has voluntari-
ly closed its recruiting Offices, and those who
Joined its ranks for its term of good behavior
consider that the time of their enlistment
is up.
On the other hand the Republican party
has been growing stronger in the last
months. Causes Of dissatisfaction no longer
exist. The camp-followers have been sent to
the rear. Unmistakable position has been
taken upon national issues, and every sim
cere Republican made to feel that he can do
more good in the party than out. The stua-
ton has greatly improved; but it still requires
mighty fight to win the battle, for our op-
ponents have the prestige of success. 1t is
necessary to pay heed to the counsels of the
Vice President, and to throw the doors wide
open. 1t is not probable that Mr.. Wilson
contemplates the framing of formal treaty
with the discontented ones. 1t will be suf-
ficient to follow out the wise course entered
upon by the party in the great states of Penn
sylvania and Ohio to demonstrate that the
organization holds with fidelity to the con-
victions of its youth, and that it has shaken
off the causes of alienation. Let fit nomina-
tions be made, let unworthy men be retired
al every opportunity, let the voice of the con-
ventons be clear for the right, and those who
now wait without the lines will hasten to re-
enlist in the old cause. Then let fight be
made such as the Republican party with its
superb organization is capable of making,
and victory is ours.