Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-07-03

presses t will be my duty, Is II viii be the duty
Of all devoted, experienced and thoughtful Re- |
publicans, TO continue % do 80, however distaste
al il may be 10 those who seem not % heed the /
lesson Of defeat am not one Of those who be-
heve that the way % make a party strong is 20 |
is to make Il indcfenslble 10 close its ranks 70
the believers in its principles. The sin for which
am now so sharply rebuked by selfcOnstituted
oensOrs appears not b be unfaithiulness 70 the
Republican platform and organization, but my
continuous efforts b. win back to the Republican
ranks honest men who still adhere 70 the Repubh-
can faith. Having advocated the ideas embodied
in the Republican creed and illustrated in Repub-
lican deeds, in nearly 1900 speeches in twenty
seven States, l ought TO know something Of the
feelings, desires and purporses Of the American
people. Finding nothing in the Constitution, nor
in the traditions Of the people, that forbds Vice
President to entreat or to advise political assOei
ates to heed the lessons of experience in legisla-
ton and administration, have warned, remon-
strated and protested against mistakes believed
would bring defeat if not dishonor.
Eighteen months ago, thought l saw danger
looming up in the near future. l warned my Re.
publican friends Of the impending peril and adj
| vised that we should, by wise and prudent legis
| ton and administration, and by timely and ell
cient organization strive to the present
House. But was considered, by some who did
not "scare WELL" an alarmist, and was told with
| that supercilio1s arrogance which has driven
| from us so many Republicans accustomed to or
ganiZe victories that "the Nice-Presdent had bet
ter not play the role of a political prophet" In
spite, however, of confident assurances of these
presuming but not very sagacious politicians, UNI
| eXampled disaster came. l had no doubt then
that these were Republican defeats rather than
Democratic victories. Nor have any doubt now
that majority of the nation still adhere to the
distinctive principles Of the Republican party,
and can recover what was then SO heedlessly
thrown away.
| So believing, think duty to the country de.
mands that Republicans should do all they can
to reinstate their party that it shall again invite
and command the support of all who profess to
believe in its principles, and who rejoice over
every reform of acknowledged abuses. have
endeavored to look the situation squarey in the
face, and have done and intend to do all i'm my
power, in spite of carping and captious criticisms
to reunite Republicans and to secure again the
ascendancy of the party that has saved Union
and emancipated a race. Believing the continued
success of the Republican party to be conducive
nation in its varied interests, upon the achieved
basis of human rights, think its presses and its
leaders should now in the spirit of self.sacrifce
subordinate their personal aspirations, rivalres
and ambitions, and welcome all to their ranks
with generous magnanimity, and so leave to
reunited, reorganized and reinspired party thu
selection at the fitting time of its candidate fol
the Presidency. They should now forgive ant
forget; and by reformatory and generous policy
and by earnest and honest appeals for unity, VIII
back, in the elections of this autumn, Ohio, Penn
sylvania, New York, California and Massachu
sets. Successes so won will assure q nationa
victory in 1876 Such victory will give to tn,
Republican party, With its brilliant record for lib
erty and union, grand opportunity to illustrate
the opening of tho second century of the republic
with glorious deeds.
HENRY WILSON.