New-York tribune., 1879-09-10
I REPTBLIClN 1NNITERSARY.

The Massachusetts Republicans Will celebrate
this evening, at Worcester, the tweniy-hith
annivcIalry of the formation of the KepuDh-
can party. and wili according to the suGges-
iion OF the circular address issued ny the
State Committee. "revive the tender and gio-
"rious memories of the past, and take counsel
'for the duties aud riunphs of the future"
The same adIross claims that during its exist,
cnce the Republican party has abolished
slavery has subdued gigantic rebellion; has
paid seven hundred millions OF the National
dcb. mas enforced apology ami reparation from
Great Britain has made the National cur
rcncy equal IN value 10 gold the world over !;
and, in short, has exhibited "a modei "i
"wse, honest, humane AMI economical gov
ernment." especially in Massachusetts. No
fault need be found with these assumptions.
The history OF the party, in The main, is one
If winch its members need not be ashamed.
There have been mistakes about measures and
mistakes about men; and some credit Is nisD
due 20 the whole country without regard 10
party distinctions. Whatever may he SAID TO
the discredit of the Republican party, there
are no such blOts upon its record as those
which lsigure that of It's principal opponent
The Democrats during the civil war, consiG-
cred as 4 body, were undoubtedly IN difficult
pOsition, but it cannot be said that the
best was made OF it. With some hon
orable exceptions, its members were either
lukewarm or avowedly disoyal. Moreover
The Republican party, mainly organized to
pIovont the extension of slavery, was very
GYm upon that ground, and true to that idea
for some years before the war. Ii was then
~ now party the rank and file OF which
were honest and conscientious. 1t had the
ritht upon it's side, and, of course, the other
side was in tho wronS. With prosperity
aud maturity inevitably came errors aud vices !;
but as TO man is always ana infalliby
right, 20 no party can always be so. When
Inc history of tho Republican parry shall 20
written, 10 part Of it Will be more interesting
AMI instructive than that OF its internal differ
ences II has always been full Of men who
held partisan allegiance lightly. lt WAS no'n
of a bolt it was made up originally OF men
who were dissatisfied with the action and
character of the older organizations; and
it has always itself been subject TO
such desertl0ns. Every soldier III it
bas fclt that under certain circumstances his
sword was his own. When the party began
first 10 coaIesce il was sneercd at in Massa-
chusetts as a Conscience party; and such 1t un-
doubtedly was there, and to q considerable
extent elsewhere. especially in the West. To-
day it would not be possible to hold it to-
ce,her for even one more National election, If
n majority OF its members did not believe that
they were morally rs well as politically
Ia the right, and that their leaders would
be faithful to the traditions of the Organiza-
ton. It would never have existed il the cid
parties had been wise; 1t will cease to exist
when the conviction shall become general that
il has hopelcssly backsliddcn from its original
position as party of truth, of humanity, Os
enlightened patriotism and judiciCus reforma-
tory instincts.
The Republican party has already survived
many of its ablest and most honorable f0un-
ders. Some Of them saw only the beginning
of Its triumphs; Others were permitted TO
look upon the regcBerated Republic FOR the
establishment of which it had labored. Those
who have supposed that its work was done
with the suppression of the Rebellion have
found ont their mistake. AS we consider the
situation, We almost feel that It's work Is only
beginning If the mass meeting in Worcester
tonight shall show by its words and resolu-
tions that it appreciates the needs of the
hour, from all parts OF this great land viii
come cordial responses and hearty godspeed.