National Republican., 1878-05-30
THIRD PARTIES,

''h'e 'hc iounuatiOn OF tniS Government
of the people, for the people and by the
people" there have been clearly defined
Political lines and divisions into parties
which have been formed in support of GER
tain dogmas incorporated in creeds or plat
forms For most of the century of our cx-
istence there have been two great divisions
or parties, though occasionally third party
has sprung up, had an cpchmeral existence,
and has passed away, soon to be forgotten.
No third party has endured the friction of
politics for very long period, and not one
has won national victory. After q brief
and fitful life the third party, after feeling
for standing room between the two great
divisions, has been crushed out and be ONE
obsolete.
The most formidable third party in the
history of our politics was the American, or
know-Nothing party. After the con-
test of 1874, which resulted In
the defeat Of Mr.. CLAY, mainly
through his own concessions to the slave
element, the Wing party became disinte-
grtted and disheartened and the introduc-
tion of o new party element, based upon na-
tionality and religion, found prompt and
large following. However, in 1913 the
Wing party, with TAYLOR and FILLMORE
rs their standard bearers, won O victory.
TAYLOR died, and FILLMORE succeeded to
the Presidency. His administration was a
repetition of the history of 40 to "A. and
the Wing party had then fought its last
successful battle. The American party
grew as the Wing organization weakened,
until, with some accession from the Democ-
racy, it carried several important States,
but 1t failed to secure q national power of
material consequence, and when the crisis
Of national affairs called the Republican
party into existence in lS56 the American
party began to lose its standing ground,
and in 1850 1t entirely disappeared, its ele-
ments finding n lodgment in the two great
political divisions, with preponderence in
favor of the Republican side.
Since then the country has passed through
five years of bloody strife, and twelve years
in recovering from its terrible effects For
more than twenty years the Republican and
Democratic parties have steadily confronted
each other on the national battlefield, dur
ing eighteen years Of which the Democracy
have been forced to succumb to the power
of public sentiment. We have now reached
a period in politics where a spirit of discon-
tent with both political organizations has
began to breed new parties-for in embryo
there are more than One-and for q season,
unless the pending revolution shall culmi-
nate in bloody collision, these, like the
measles in q family, will have their run and
then pass away. As they are based upon
temporary side issues in politics they cannot
endure, and soon the places that know them
will know them no more.
The duty of the Republican party is to
maintain its organization, defend its prin-
ciples, and work out its mission, which
seems under the DEGREES of an Ovcrrulng
Power, to he to save the nation from sedi-
ton, revolution, and ultimate overthrow.
1t must not be diverted from this purpose
by any side issues or any cphemeral ques-
tions Of finance, currency, or social economy.
1t must plant itself upon the broad plat
form of National preservation, entertaining
minor questions in Il subordinate relation :;
but making the Constitution, the Union,
and the gaeat question of equal rights be-
fore the law, its talisman of victory. BY
these signs alone we can and shall conquer.