National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-21
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
The Letter Of Vice President Wilson


We print below the letter of Vice President
Wilson to Mr.. Sam Bowles, Of the Springfield
Republican, in answer TO the charge Of the latter
that Mr.. Wilson agreed with him that the Re-
publican party is dead" 1t has heretofore been
printed Incorrectly, and we give 1t to the public
now after revision by the writer, SO that It may
be accepted as q reliable copy Of the original and
correct in every particular. 1t will be observed
that no allusion is made to the Third-Term ques-
ton, as we were led to believe by rumors regard
ing 1t before its publication:
WASHINGTON, d. G. January 10, 1875,
To the Editor Of the Republican:
agree with you that the Republican party is
dead. beg leave to say do BOT agree with the
Republican, or with any man or set Of men, In the
On the contrary, believe that the Republican
party has It in its power to recover what It has
lost and TO elect the next President. In saying
this am not unmindiul Of the grave questions at
issue ana which are pressing for solution Of the
disasters that have fallen upon #, nor Of the
hopes, expectations, and strength Of the Demo-
cratic pRrty-a party whose strength and power
l have never moderated. believe It can recover
still retain its power In the Government, and
believe this because believe 1t to be necessity
OF the country. The grand work Of liberty and
patriotism It has performed imperatively demands
that 1t shall continue to guide the policy OF the
nation. Liberty, law order, protection and civil
feated. saw quite as early as any one the Perils
oil the Republican party, and more than thirteen
months since warned my political friends OF the
danger Of losing the next House Of Representa-
tives.
The party has made mistakes, and is now pay
ing the penalty Of those mistakes; but its ideas,
principles and general policies have not been con-
demned. 1t has been taught by recent disasters
that it is mortal, and If 1t is wise 1t will heed
fshRess nor stupidity could fail to understand
them, or could misinterpret their import. IL the
Of he Suicide, fcr 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 discipline. There are hundreds Of
thousands in the Republican party today who
sPurned the bTioes and iroWns OF power and leit
the Wing and Democratic parties for the sake OF
principles deemed by them important and sacred.
These men cannot be seduced by the blandish
menIs of power, nor greatly moved by threats Of
discipline. Mere politicians, who think they can
govern BY the whip Of party discipline, will fiad
they cannot thus reach or control the thoughtful
aBC independent men who struck the lash from
the hand Of the slave-masters, Nor can We re-
cover what is lost in Mass Ichusetts or in the
country by the impairment interneddllng Of
othce-6olders in nominations and elections.
Office holders should learn from the recent cleo
tiOns that they can serve the Republican party
best by performing their Official duties with scru-
pulOus fidelity.
The people should be lett free to manage in
their own way, and without official interference,
their primary meetings and elections, for, right
fully or wrongfully, 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 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 obtrusiye in
reference either in Massachusetts or the country
North or South. The disastrous, division Of the
Republican party in 1872 WAS to me distressing
event. 1t seemed to me to be the unnecessary
separation Of comrades who had toiled together
for so many years for noble purposes and q glorl
Gus cause. did all could by remonstrance and
appeal TO prevent 1t, and have since thought to
reunite what was then so disastrously and un-
necessarily broken. And would now throw the
doors wide open for the return Of those who voted
or Mr.. Greeley in 1871 and earnestly invite them
ito unite again with their old associates. Indeed
at any moment since that election, 1 would have
pursued a generous and magnanimous policy to-
wards the men who then lett Us, and now, with
certify, extend the hand Of reconciliation.
1 would appeal to you, sir, and to your asso-
ciates OF the 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, to leave
unnoticed its mistakes, for party that cannot
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
Wings, who were dragged into the rebellion, but
who have very little sympathy with the Demo-
that these men should be invited to cooperate
with the Republican party, AID snare its respon-
sibllities and honOrs. believe that peace In the
South the plotting out Of divisions on the line of
race, the advancement Of real reconstruction,
permanent Southern prosperity and the success
Of the Republican party demand that all honor
able efforts should be made to withdraw such
men from association with those who had led
them into rebellion, brought sHch fearful and
indeseri6able ruin upon them, and who still i'd
here TO the : lost cause"
It seems to me that Republicans everywhere. in
o flee and out Of ONCE, should subordinate all
personal desires, aspirations and ambitions; sac
ritice their interests, If need be, rally again for
the party, invite every body to crowd It's ranks,
and bring to the 'front.' to the important positions
Of the Government all the experience, ability
and character they can command. broad, wise
and maRnanimous policy should be promptly In
augurated, and steadily and honestly pursued.
" hen the country clearly sees, 1t will see the
only alternative presented, the real issues in
yolVed, the policies and men TO be supported their
record in the past and their present Affiliations
who and what shall prevail If the Republican
party be set aside2 When the country sees where
the loyal men Of the land are found and where
they stand, who believe in the perfect equality Of
the races and who, come victory defeat, life or
death, mean to maintain In its completeness the
equal rights OF American citizens OF every race,
nationality and faith, then will the Republican
masses rally again, achieve new victories, and
give the party new lease Of power
m. VI