The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-11-23
From Harper's Me,A 81
The Republican Party.

If it be the Republican party which
: presently retires from the control of tie
government, it is well to remember that
it has prouder and nobler history than
any party in English annals. 1t came
into power sixteen years ago, when the
Democratic party held the administra
ton for a generation. That party was
the mere tool of the slave power and had
sedulously debauched and demoralized
the national conscience Inheriting from
Jefferson and Madison (the last of whom
partially d;savowed it) the doctrine of
secession, or that the Union is a volun-
tary partnership doctrine which Jack
sons proclamation did not discredit in
the party, and which was substantially
affirmed by Mr.. Tiiden in lS60-it pre-
pared the way for the movement of the
lrebelion. 1t had utterly prostituted the
civil service. 1t had totally disgraced
the American name, and it had brought
the American principle into mortal peril
But it was apparently impregnably in
trenched in the solid Southern vote, in
the doubt that it had cast upon the true
meaning of the Constitution, in the
timidity OF trade between the sections,
in the patronage Of the civil service, in
the sentiment OF the army, in the intense
| prejudice against the colored race, in the
hopelessness of constitutional interfer-
ence with slavery, and in the fear of ac-
tual trouble with the insolent and
threatening slave power.
But the firm and courageous Republi-
can appeal to the intelligence and con
science of the people of the Northern
States-for no such appeal was permitted
in the South-an appeal made in the
lace OF the most derisive opposition and
a -.
what should follow. so united the Free
States that they voted in 1860 as Re
publican unit, and they were successful
The Democratic party OF the South in
stantly rose in arms. That OF the North
passively cooperated As Mr.. Richard
IL. Dana, jr., truly says. the very term
War Democrats" is the conclusive eyi-
dence that simple Democrat was synony-
nous with an opponent OF the govern
ment No one ever thought of speaking
OF War Republicans. To be Republi |
can was TO be Union man. Totally un- |
used TO administration, the Republican !
party was at once confronted with organ /
ized civil war, with treason in the army |
and navy, with corruption in the civil |
service, with an empty Treasury, with a |
ruined credit, with denial of its constitu- |
tlonal power to act, with seceeding States, /
crunbling Union, and the sneering /
hostility OF foreign nations.
Without a moments delay it arose to
the great emergency. Relying upon the |
people Of the Free States, it created an
army and navy. 1t made enormous
loans. 1t waged a tremendous war of
four years. 1t held at bay foreign DOW
ers eager to abet the ruin of the Union.
1t maintained order in the Free States.
1t sent army aiter army into the field,
and amply sustained them. 1t emanci-
pated four millions of slaves. 1t main
tanned the Union absolutely and with
out condition. IL did not build a scat
fold nor take life in punishment. 1t
enlranchlsed the freedmen and restored |
every rebel to citizenship. 1t vindicated
the American principle before the world,
and gave the country a standing and re-
spect among other nations that it had
never known before. Itmade the Declar-
alton OF independence a truth and not a
lie, and for the first time made America
mean liberty instead of slavery. In the
ten years since the war ended il has paid
eight hundred millions of dollars of the
iebt. 1t has reduced the interest account
BY fifty millions. 1t has reduced taxation
by two hundred and sixty millions. 1t
las immensely reduced the percentage
collection and disbursement of the pub
ic money. 1t has greatly decreased the
'unning expenses of the government per
,apita since the last Democratic Admin
stration. 1t has negotiated bonds at
our and half per cent 1t has declared
or the resumption of specie payments in
S79. 1t has saved the existence, the !
character, and the credit of the United
states.
This is the party which, if Mr.. Tilden I
'e elected, now retires and gives place to
he Democratic, with Democratic leader
hip, doctrines, and practices unchanged.
This is the party which Democratic :
'rators, and Republicans who have de !
erted their party because ito did not give I
hem Office, denounce as totally corrupt
his IS the party which Messrs. Morris !.
ey, Belmont Kelly, Wood, Spinola, :
'chell, Fellows, and Sullivan (Which last
famed gentleman, according to the pa
ers, called upon the band at Tammany
lall on election night to play The
v caring OF the Green" as il the country
ad worn the blue long enough) deride as
5 a party made up OF Belknaps 9
nd Babcocks oil Shepherds and Buffers I
here have undoubtedly been knaves
nd rascals in the party, but for every
scalawag, there are a hun q
red Democratic. There have been {
buses and oifenses, for which the party, Z
ven If successful, pays the penalty by
Is small majority. Should it be const-
utionally decided that the Republicans a
etre, they will not protest. So the 8
'ankees withdrew from Bunker Hill, lI
ut they carried America in their
carts. The Republicans have re-
ealed the glory and the power OF Il
he American principle, and among them r
/ this moment are TO be found the quail [
lies and the convictions that give the :,
rord America its distinctive~meaning. :