National Republican., 1875-06-19
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADER.

Admitting that President Grant IS out of
the way so far as the next Presidential
nomination is concerned, there seems to be
variety ofopinion and an unmistakable di-
vision of sentiment regarding the character
of his successor. The Democrats are not
entirely free from similar complications re-
garding their nominee +; but with them we
have nothing to do for the present Our
object is simply TO point out the impend-
ing opportunity for leader of the Repub-
lic&n party TO assume such a prominent
and commanding position as to compel his
nomination to be the candidate of the next
national convention of that party. This
opportunity resides no less in the ostenta
tious demonstrations of sectional reconciI-
iation which are just now 50 popular than
in the deep seated and occult danger which
threatens the success of the principles of
the party If not the perpetuity Of free gov
eminent. The m emOrial day ceremonies,
the centennial celebrations, and current
public demonstrations of similar kind
have lately had the effect to lull the fears
OF many earnest and thoughtful men re-
garding the condition Of the South, and at
the same time to deceive others into be-
lief that the results Of the war rest securely
upon lasting organic foundation. The
somewhat uncircumspect habit of the
American people as regards political 4falrs
in tunes of peace, and the volatile
manner in which they run off after
strange gods, serves to confirm the
suspicion that the reckless disregard of
the future indicated by these facts is now
exerting an ominous influence. In short,
the political situation is fraught with as
great danger as It was in 1S60-'61. The
temporary absence of campaign excite
ments secures comparative peace and quiet
in the turbulent States; but it is the quiet that
precedes the storm, and the ill-feeling which
lies dormant only requires the beginning
Of political contest TO give it new life and
cruelty criminal vigoT We arc not alarm
lists by any means. nor DO we write thls
warning for mere scnsasiou's sake, bu. be-
cause we earnestly belize pecessity ex-
lists that Some man Of sterling worth, Of
natural leading abilities. and Of acknowl.
edged foresight should grappie with these
questions and arouse the people to a full
appreciation of the actual facts. Such a
man, perhaps, is Mr.. ex.Speaker Brine
With Characteristic csrefulness he pTepsred
statistics for his speeches in the Connecticut
campaign to show that the State It!gllfs
States e., the secession States-cuuIJ, 1
with the aid Of few votes from Northern
States, control the next Electoral College.
Senators COnkling, Morton, Boutwell,, and
other gentlemen Of equal prominence have
not hesitated to announce the same views,
and no onehas yet been bold enough to ddny
that the Democratic party still adheres to
the doctrine Of paramount State sovereignty
as the cardinal principle of its platform.
The result, then, Of Democratic saceess in
the next national election would be the !
restoration Of the Secession party to power.
1t is against the possibility, if not the prob 1
ability, of this result that the coming leader
of the Republican masses should instantly |
raise his voice. 1t is true, the institution
Of slavery no longer exists as selfish ND |
tive for renewal Of the wal, but the b8aeflll |
effects of its previous existence still refunjl |
to make the former slave holders as bitter
as they ever were in their opposition "a
doctrines. II is also true that |
the blue and gray commingling fever may
serve to weaken the force of the secession
project; but, as true as the blue will sepa.
rate from the gray when the contest begins.
50 true is 1t that the gray will take sides in |
support OF former treason. Why, thea. /
does not Mr.. Blaine retrieve the errors of