The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-06-09
The Republican party.

Our Democratic friends are greatly
elated over the political situation. They
see in the present unfortunate contro-
versy in the Republican ranks gratify-
ing evidences OF the approaching disso-
luton of the Republican party. To the
Bourbon heart, that has so long yearned
for political power and mourned be-
cause it found it not, the political omens
are irridescent with hope and Joy full
promise. Visions of Post-offices and
Consulates and all sorts of plethoric
and eleemosynary positions fit before
their enraptured imaginations like
section from the Arabian Nights. Like
The Thrncian huntsman with his spear,
Full in the gap, and hopes the hunted bear
the Bourbon horde have hungrily eyed
the game, and like the darkey after the
opossum, they have been confident of
success because they 'smGst have it, as
we are out of meatn ~ -sNsL
The HdtOkeye begs leave to caution
them against over sanguineness in this
matter. Let us read a little history to-
gether. History is the philosophy OF
the ages; what do its pages recall con-
cerning Republican schisms? After
Lincoln was inaugurated President he
very soon had . Cabinet intrigue on his
hands, and there were apparent evil
dences that the party was going to
pieces. In 1862 the elections all went
wrong, the reactionists were impudent
and threatening, and some Republicans
were weak and tinid. Secretary Chase
had already begun figuring on the Pres
idential succession, Seward was not
without ambition, Ben Wade and Hen
ry Winter Davis were off on tangent,
and the outlook of the Republican
party was anything but cheerful. But
what happened? Did the party go to
pieces? Did internal dissensions and
external assaults break il down? Not
at all. Even q gallant war Democrat at
the head of the ticket did not suffice to
resuscitate the Democratic party, and
Republicanism took another four years
lease of power.
Lincoln passed away and again early
In the new Administration the party
was torn with dissension. Andy johnson
fully expected to wreck it, but even a
President with all the patronage of the
Government in his control. and the
Democratic party as an ally, could not
accomplish that end, and in 1868 Cen
eral Grant was elected. His two terms
were characterized by trouble within
our ranks, in which Sumner, Schurz,
Doolittle were leading malcontents,
and in 1876 the Democrats were conf
dent their time had came. But it had
not. General Hayes was elected, and
his Administration, like his predeces-
sors, had to withstand the brunt of
an internal conflict. The family
quarrel did not prevent a hearty
reunion of all the elements of
the party when brought face to face
with the common foe. Republicanism
triumphed in 1880 and, in accordance
with time-honored precedents, has now
O little family row on its hands. We
admit it is little early in the season
and somewhat unexpected, but as it
had to come in the natural course Of
events, it might as well come now as at
any time. There is nothing in it, how
| ever. that need elate our Democratic
friends to the extent their manifesta-
tions of giec indicate. Indeed, some
of the wiser heads among them have
already expressed their regret at the
early development of the quarrel III
it had come two years later it might
have proved to be an advantage
to the Bourbons; but coming this early
it will be of little more than temporary
benefit to them, manifested, perhaps,
in the next autumnal elections in few
of the States.
The Republican party still has mis-
sion. We do not believe it is going to
pieces. Looking at events from the
present standpoint. every true Repub-
lican can but deplore the unhappy di-
visions IN our ranks. But the voice OF
the party will be emphatic and irresis-
tible when the time comes to face the
common foe. The ranks will be closed
up and the Bourbons will again be left
to mourn as those without comfort -
Burlington Hdt0keye.