The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-12-21

r'l,e Course for the Conservatives.
The Republican party came into exist
enee a the Offspring of agitation and
strife Ii has grown and tlrlven upon
civil disorder and the iousing OF the evil
passions OF men. Like Milton's Satan, its
motto has always been, 'evil, be thou my
Good" 1t never had a triumph that was
not sectional. sinister and threatening to
the peace and welfare Of the country. Its
policy has been to gOad its adversaries
into Illegal acts, OF something that could
be tortured into resemblance to illegal
ity; and then, having placed them con-
structiyely in the wrong, appear IN the
disguise of conservators of the public
peace Thus, while protesting to adj
vance the interests Of law and order, it
has tostered and promoted the widest
and most dangerous schemes against the
welfare Of the country.
II has been 4 misfortune that there have
not been wanting among its opponents eN-
treme and violent men whose utterances
could be seized upon, paraded rs exam
pies OF the feelings OF all, and thus pow
eriully aid its bad purposes. The excited
and dangerous state Of public feeling that
preceded the rebellion was largely owing
to this cause. 1t was used to fire the
northern heart" al through the bloody
scenes OF the actual conflict And there
have, ever since the war closed, been
found here and there something Of the
kind to fling broadcast over the land as a
means to the same bad end
The country is now confronted by a
state Of things which the Republican par
ty is straining every nerve to make its
opportunity for placing the Democracy in
4 false position. The game which lack
Chandler and his brethren are playing is
as bold and unscrupulous as at any time
in their political history. The rotten
borough system which their policy found
ed in the South is being used to set up a
Dental election The cheat is so trans
parent that decent and fair minded mem
bers OF their own party confess that it
ought not to succeed. and many more. of
as strong sense of justice but less cour-
age. secretly hope that it may not New
ertheless, the pretence Of that they have
elected Mr. Hayes will be kept up with
violent assertion, denunciation of their
opponents. and the utmost flourish of
trumpets by press and speakers. The
hope that inspires all this is ohvious-a
hope that members OF the Democratic
party may be goaded into some express
slons, or threats, or acts which may be
tortured into IN intention OF violence or
armed opposition. That is precisely what
they desire above all things. Then will
go forth the cry Of new rebelllon-the
armies. secret midnigh arrests of proml-
nent Democrats, and the filing Of govern
ment Bastles with prisoners Of state-all
to be followed by the inauguration of
Hayes in the presence OF an immense
army. And thus would history repeat it.
self
There is wisdom enough in the Demo
cratic party to avoid this trap, SO inviting
ly set for their destruction. The eXpe-
rence is too recent, the participants still
too numerous in active life, and the mem
cries of former tactics too fresh, for I;
wholesale repetition at this time. We
should pursue Fabian generalship, and
let the enemy tire himself out with his
own marching and counter marching
Let us plant ourselves on the impreg-
nable legal strength of our position, our
rights under the laws, and appeal to the
sense of justice of the whole people and
to the national conscience. But let there
be no hot-head talk of a resort to arms,
of bayonets, guns and blood. States can
be saved without the sword.
II the Republican party is determined
to pursue the course it has begun-if this
great crime against self-government is &c
be perpetrated, despite remonstrances and
protests-the penalty will not fail to be
visited upon its authors. Every man who
shall have a conspicuous part in such al
assassination of the vital principle Of
our government will be stamped with the
brand Of public opinion rs u desperate.
The party that supports it will be annihi-
lated by popular wrath, and perish from
the face of the earth. The people Of this
country will not support the arbitration
OF arms. neither will they suffer the rule
Of 4 despotism Of demagogues, longer
than its extinction by the forms of law
can be decreed through "a further appea
to the ballot box.