Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-06-03
The Spirit We Need,
From tn. Washington Chronicle.

Ahe question OF national unity IS q set
tied one. Before the war of the rebel
lion, it was debatablc question, but the
war settled it forever. Whether the
Republican party is to continue TO gov
ern the nation, or by direct Orde. of the
people, the reins Of POWER are to be trans
fcrred to Democracy. isl question that
depends upon the future. The loyal at.
taChment Of the people to those senti-
ments which carried the nation through
four years of war: the splendid record
which the party, based on these patricN
tic sentiments, presents to the world;
and the present satisfactory condition of
every department under Republican con-
troll, lead US and the friends Of the party
generally, to believe, with q faith akin
to certainty, that the party that stood
between the Republic and its would-be
~destroyers; that has overcome by its
prudence, its wisdom, and its 6rmness,
the almost insurmountable obstacles which
have presented themselves in the effort
to reconstruct the Southern States, and
that has reduced the public debt nearly
$1,000, 000, 900, in less than ten years,
will be continued in power, as the
best exponent of patriotism, fidelity,
esonomyand public virtue.
But on this point, which can only be
decided by future experience, our p%oliti>
cal opponents take issue. They be-
lieve they sec in the signs Of tie times,
in the result Of last falls elections. in
the departure from our ranks of certain
prominent men. the decay Of Republ.,
can power, which is to make the party an
easy prey to their combined attack in
1876. They have the right to this opil-
ion. They have some grounds on which
to base it. and they have given evidence,
through many years of defeat, of a devo>
ton to these principles, which justi6es
the confdencence now expressed, Of their
ability to carry the country at the next
Presidential election. Their assurance
is pardOnable, and their strength is for
midable; and, though the leaders Of the
Re publican party may affect to despise
their prOtensious, they must face the
fact that the next struggle will require
on u part, thorough organization, the
active enlistment. Of the apathetic vote of
Of last fall, and an energetic and intelli-
gent canvas With such a campaign,
commenced early, aud prosecuted as was
the campaign of 1872, the party will win
victory equal to its greatest. But if
our friends go to sleep on their arms rely
on the virtue Of their cause permit pub.
lie affairs to be managed by the enemy or
by luke;warm friends, they will find
themselves surprised political prisoners
to an enemy sleopless in their energy and
determined in their resolve to capture
The Government.
But whether tho nation is to become
Democratic. or to continue Republican,
its unity is an established fact. The
sword has settled that point, aud what
ever conflict takes place hereafter will
be within the Union and under the com.
mon flag. ...... ..
With this question Of unity settled.
what is our duty as citizens2 Mani,
testify our first duty is to become one PEG.
pie, one IN sentiment, one in our desire
to promise the prosperity Of the nation
We may hold difference opinion on
minor questions Of State policy, but OF
the ono absorbing question of nationality
should be united. as q common brOtherN
hood, in bonds stronger than those which
unto us to the party Of our choice.
This partriotic unity calls for true re.
Cancellation. This is conceded by all, by
tho extremists Of the North and South
But they differ on the method of recon
Citation. What is the true method? Ii
our opinion it must come through a vii.
lingness on the part of both North and
South not to forget tho lessons past
but to overlook, SO far as resentments 90,
those difference which once existed be-
tween the two sections. and shake hands
over tho present and future with the
pledge of equal devotion to the Republic.
Thousands Of men in the South believe
they were right, but the men of the
North believe they were wrong. Blu
this ought not to interfere with true re-
cancellation. Aud yet this seems tt
be the stumbling block in the way. Tb,
South wants the North to acknowledge
the justice Of the lost cause and the pa
triotism Of the men engaged in it. NAM