The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-02-04
THE VICE PRESIDENT,
How He Thinks the Republican Par
~ Can He Saved.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l6,. 1877

~ Can He Saved.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is, 1875.
To the Editor Of the Springfield Republican:
[ find in your journal statement that
agree with you that the Republican
party is ''dead." beg leave to say that
[ do not agree with the Republican or
with any man or set of men in the opin-
ion that it is dead or hopelessly defeated.
On the contrary, believe that the Re-
publican party has it in its power to re-
cover what it has lost, and to elect the
next President.
In saying this, [ am not unmindful of
the grave questions at issue, and which
are pressing for solution; of the disasters
that have fallen uponit; nor of the hopes,
expectations and strength of the Demo
cratic party-a party whose strength and
power have never moderated. l be-
lieve it can recover all it has lost, win
back its former prestige, and still retain
its power in the government. And be-
lieve this because l believe it to be ne
cessity of the country. The grand work
of liberty and patriotism it has performed
imperatixely demands that it should con.
tinue to guide the policy Of the nation.
Liberty, law, order, protection and civili-
cation cannot afford to have it permanent
ly defeated.
| saw quite as early as any one the
perils of the Republican party, and. more
than thirteen months since, l warned my
political friends Of the danger of losing
the next House of Representatives.
The party has made mistakes, and
is now paying the penalty of those mis-.
takes. But its ideas, principles, 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. 1t would seem that neither
selfishness nor stupidity could fail to un.
derstand them, or could misinterpret
their import. 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 a policy Of
rewards and punishments, or by party
discipline. There are hundred, OF
thousands in the Republican party,
to-day, who spurncd the brides and
frowns Of power, and left the Wing and
Democratic parties for the sake of prin.
ciples deemed by them important and
sacred. These men cannot be seduced by
the Establishments Of power, nor great.
~ moved by threats of discipline. Mere
politicians, who think they can govern by
the whip Of party discipline, will find that
they cannot thus reach or control the
thoughtful and Independent men who
struck the lash from the hands Of the
slave.masters.
Nor can we recover what is lost in
Massachusetts, or in the country, by the
impertinent intcrmeddling Of officc.hold.
ers in nominations and elections. Office.
holders should learn from recent elections
that they can serve the Republican party
best by performing their official duties
with scrupulous fidelity. The
people should be left free to man.
age, in their own way and with.
out official interference, their primary
meetings and elections; for, rightfully or
wrongfulfy, they have been compelled to
believe that there are those holding Office
in Massachusetts,, in the country, and
especially At the South, some Of them in
important positions. who do not fifty rep.
resent 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.
The disastrous division in the Rcpub.
lican party in 1871 was to me distress.
ing event. 1t seemed to me to be the un-
necessary separation Of comrades who
had toiled together for So many years for
noble purposes and glorious cause. ]
did all could, by rcmonstrance and ap.
peal, to prevent it, and have since sought
to reunite what was then so disastrously
and unnecessarily broken. And | now
would throw the doors wide open for the
return Of those who voted for Mr. Gree
ley in 1873, and earnestly invite them to
reunite again with their old associates.
Indeed, at any moment since that election,
l would have pursued generous and
magnanimous policy toward the men who
then left US. And now, without the loss
of single hour, / would, in all sin.
certify, extend the hand Of reconciliation.
[ would appeal to you, sir, and your as
sociates Of the press in that unfortunate
division. to unite with the great party
which, with all its errors. faults and mis-
takes, has made glorious record for
country, freedom and progress. do not
ask you to refrain from criticism, nor to
leave unnoticed its mistakes: for a party
that cannot tolerate that is already in its
decadence.
There has been, and now is, a class OF
men in the South, Douglas Democrats
and old line national Wings, who were
dragged into the rebellion, but who have
very little sympathy with the Democratic
party. / have believed, and now believe.
that these men should be invited to co.
operate with. the Republican party, and
share in its. responsibilities and
honors. I believe that peace in the
South, the bletting oct Of divisions
on the line Of race, the advancement 81
real reconstruction permanent Southern