The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-07-11
Grne Nortbermer.
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF REPUBLI-
CANISM.


The Republican party has reached its twenty
fifth birthday. In its quarter OF century @
hfe il has accomplished a grsnder work tina
any other party OF this country in any numbe
OF yesrs. Although it was born in 1854, 8
that it is now twenty five years old, it took it
first part in national election for Presiden
in 1856. In 1854 1t had an effect on nstions
politics by electiug Congressman; but in 1876
it contended for supremacy in the Republic
aud that with great power and vigor. Tw,
years later, in 1883, it captured the organiza
ton Of the House, though 1t had not ma
jorty. In 1860, its second Presidential con
test, il elected Abraham Lincoln President
aud largely increased Its strength in Congress
still, until the south seeded the Republican.
did not have numbers enough to organic,
either the House or Senate. The inexcusabl,
secession Of Democratic states gave the Re
publican party full control OF the government
From the 4th of March, 1861 till now, Repub.
iicanism has had control Of the administration
except during part OF Andrew Johnson's term
and has also controlled Congress, except that
the Democrats had majority IN the House OF
the last two Congresses, and have been su-
preme in both branches since the 9TH OF March
1879.
When the Republican party came INTO power
i'll 1851, 1t found the treasury plundered. and
the credit OF the nation about destroyed; its
army and navy dispersed; all its defenses
broken down; its departments swarming with
traitors many defiant secessionlsts in Con-
eress; number of states i'll open rebellion
its forte, navy-yards, arsenals, and public
property in the south seized; the Democratic
party and its administration had abandoned all
hope OF saving the Union, and had announced
that any attempt to put down rebellion by
force would be unconstitutional: and the Re-
public seemed to be in the very throes of final
dissolution.
The Republican party saved the Union
That Is an imperishabe glory. 1t created
armies; ii created currency: il carried
through to success the grandest war of the
present century. 1t took the nation apparently
dying, bankrupt, deienseless, the Union broken
into many fragments and, ia five years. II re-
stored the Union, conquered the rebellion.
created enormous armies, filed the public
treasury, revived the public credit, and made
this Republic the most powerful and strongly
ar~ed nation Of the world ct that time.
The Republican psrty abolished slavery. and
made free men and women, and citizens, of
four millions OF slaves. That 10 another i'm
pershabie glory, which Will glow brighter and
brighter In history so long as history exists.
The Republican party, as the result OF its
first success IN national presidential election.
gave to the Republic Abraham Lincoln. who
VIII forever shsre Washngton's fame for the
purity OF bis patriotism and greatness in states
manship. That Is another lmperishable glory.
the like OF which no other political party has
achieved.
After the death OF Abraham Lincoln. at ;,s
next presidential triumph, the Republican marty
elected as President Gen. Grant. who ia uni-
vsrsally recognized, the world clear around. as
the greatest of living Americans in peace. and
the most renowned American soldier OF opr
national history
nder the Republican party the nation has
grandly increased in wealth. population and
material development. Republicsnism has
given to the country the homestead law. tho
railroads which stretch across the continent
at has opened up our commerce with China and
Japan has paid some eight hundred millions
OF the public debt; has raised the credit OF tbe
United States to the highest point ever at
talned, and TO the level OF the richest and
strongest nations of Europe has peacefully
settled our controversies with foreign nations.
has added many new states to the Union: has
marveously developed our industries bv ifs
legislation. ,
10 whatever part or portion, interest or in
OF the Republic we turn, the bene6-
cent influence OF the Republican party is plainly
evident. Its legislation is immoyably imbedded
a our laws-aye, in the very rock Of the con-
'tituton itself-and always in favor OF liberty.
complete destruction OF the Republic can eradl-
ate its marks; and even then some OF its
'reat works would survive to be embodied in l
whatever new form OF government might fol-
ow' Its name is on our waters-you cannot !.
'ash 1t OUT" it is printed deep In our SOIL
oo cannot plow it up; 1t has become par. OF r
ur c'vIizaton-it cannot be eradlcsted; it is :,
all the breath OF American fame, in the is
nShtest radiance of our glory, in the very Il
oul Of American honor, In the noblest part of d
merlcin history-imperishably lodged beyopd
ie assaults OF fortune or OF time. 70 endrro h,
'revsr as party OF glorious memory. what ri
YER may be its fate hereafter as a no,;,;o., OF
rgsnlzation. ct
besides the usual list OF accidents and 8Yes -