National Republican., 1877-10-19
Political Parties.

The health anu NlgOr OF tins Government
require that the people shall be divided
into parties representing distinct princi-
pies, measures and issues The Democratic
party has greater longevity than any other.
and for long series of years was the ruling
party of the nation. The Wing party took
issue with its positions, principles and
measures for some twenty five years con-
secutivcly, and during that period elected
two Presidents, HARRISON and TAYLOR,
hut were defeated in each event In 1856
the Wing party gave way to the Republican
organization, and disappeared Since that
period the Democratic party have held power
in the nation but four years. 1t had been
waning in popular favor for years Its
peculations. which are unparalleled in his
tory. taken in connection with its cspousal
OF the cause of slavery. had so far impaired
public confidence in its honesty and leneii-
cence that in 1850 it was overwhelmed in o
Waterloo d. feat, from which it has never fully
recovered, and whatever advantages il has
gained since have accrued to it more
through Republican bundcrs than Of its own
merit.
Democratic devotion TO the institution of
slavery had betrayed it into acts and meas
ures which were obnoxious 10 the free SEN
timent of the country. and which had he
rett it of respect and strength. In its mad
ness over defeat in lsG0 that party sympi-
thiZed aud plotted with the treason that
eliminated in rebellion in 1-6l. 1t is con-
Ill
MED and disproycd, that the Democratic
leaders of the North gave promise of aid
and comfort to the cause of rev olt to an cN-
tent that prompted to open outbreak 10
sundcr the Union. The leaders of the re-
bcllion assert it, and history during that
bloody strife confirms the statement, that
but for the sympathy secretly rendered
them by the Democrats OF the North, the
blow aimed al the Government would never
have been struck. 1t is well known. and
the fact has passed into history. that during
all the years Of war and carnage which en-
sued the Democratic party never in national
ConN enton offered word of drnuncutiOn
or even of rcbuke relating TO the rebellion
and its dreadful consequences upon the
common country.
Several parties outside these two great
divisions have sprung up, have had an
ephcmcral existence and have died out
leaving the gauge Of battle to these contest
ants The Republican and Democratic
parties are naturally and unayoidahly an.
tagonistic The one has cspouscd the cause
of the Union and the Constitution, and de,
Tended the rights of liberty. equality and
Justice for all classes of the American people
while the other has allied its efforts tt
wrong, oppression and injustice down to III,
present moment. While slavery existed il
was its chief guardian, and not only re
sisted its abolition, but strongly advocated
its extension into the Territories. Now thai
this institution is us dead as the rebrllior
which ensucd on its account, il is the maiI
object Of that party to alridge the rights %
the coored freedmen at the South. and holt
them in thrall more oppressive and dcgrad
ing, il possible, than slavery itself.
The two great parties are now confronting
each other on these premises, and they mn,
continue to exist ~ antagonists for mucl
time to come. Under these circumstance
the attempt TO initiate and inject other par
ties into our political contests will prove N
utter failure. There is no room bctwcrl
these divisions for third, based upon sid
and non-cSsrntial issues. All the main qucs
tions relating to Government and its meas
nres and policies are involved in tho gran,
political division and hence n third part,
would be about as useful and efficient aS TIN
fllth wheel to II coach. The remark is Otter
made at the present crisis that under tin
dissensiOns that mark the two great partir
there is provocation and room for nrv
organization Such an effort would prov,
chineIical and unavailing 1t would lin,
no standing or fighting room, but woul'
soon disappear, after having shown itself Il
he the offspring of spleen or selfish amhi
ton, or of both, and pass into history am"n
tho fOllies that originate in selfshnc~s, ar,
die from u parsimony OF principle. TIL
architects OF such movement would nice
cayly and inevitable defeat after brief AM
nlischioyous existence.