National Republican., 1881-08-03
Republican Antcccdents and tactic

business Office.
Republican AntcCcdents and Factions.
The Republican party had its birth in
the death of the Whig party, the relics
of the latter being to some extent divided
between the new Republican and the old
Democratic organizations. The divisions
in the Wing party occurred more dis
tnctly over the question of human free
dom than any other. The "irrepressiblc
conflict" generated these divisions until
they crystallized in factions. The friends
offreedom and of the slave were known as
"woolly-head Wings" while the more
conservative pro-slavery element of the
party were designated as "silver grays."
Theconilict between these factions became
fierce and ultimately led TO the demise of
the Wing party.
The Republican party took the place of
the Whig party in the political arena,
with the "woolly-head Wings" and the
Free-soil Democrats" who had deserted
the pro-slavery Democratic organization,
as its leaders. These combined elements
fought the good fight and won the victory
which has perpetuated power in the
hands of the Republican party from 1861
down to the present time. Another ele-
ment entered into the Republican COM
position-the milder form of silver-gray-
ism, which has never been able to exert
other than factional influence in the party,
and which until recently has been pow
erless in the organization. The revilcd
woolly-heads of the Whig party, allied
to the Free-soil Democrats who had Sc
cedcd from that organization became the
"Stalwarts ofthe Republican party, and
impaired to it vitality and power which
has rendered it famous for its
repeated triumphs with the people.
But of needs factions in party politics
must come, and hence the Republican
party has not been exempted from its in
fiuences and mischiefs during the later
period Of its history. The more conservd-
tive or former pro-slavery element of
the Republican party, which was injected
into it from the old Wing party under
the name of silver-grayism, has exerted
an influence and accumulated a strength
by insidious approaches which have
broken into open hostility against the
" Stalwarts," and is waging a war for their
determination in the party. Petty jeal-
ousy has been excited to action over the
distribution ofpublic patronage, until the
cry has become open and bold: "Down
with the Stalwarts" Put none but
Half-Breeds,' who are the lineal de-
scendants of the old conservative and
silver-gray wing of the Wing party on
guardW This experiment has been tried
promises nothing better than ultimate
overthrow and ruin for the Republican
party.
tits TO be hoped that the stubble of
faction has been consumed in the late
senatorial struggle at Albany, and that it
will never more make its appearance to
mark the history Of the Republican Or
ganization. 1t is upon that hope that the
true men Of the party rely for future Re-
publican successes. Further victories
cannot be won with faction feeding upon
the vitals Of the party. Unless this spirit
is exercised the Republican party will be
brought to contemplate the inscription
on its own tombstone, Envy, jealousy,
hateful elimination and more hateful re-
elimination must all be buried here and
now, or the Republican party has scored
its last victory. A candid survey of the
field and a wise consultation of the
margin of power We now hold will
teach the sane mind that faction has
been tolerated in the Republican organi-
cation quite as long already as is safe to
its future control ofthe government of this
Nation. halt called now may save the
prestige and power Of the party but a
further dalliance with the poison of fac
ton presages only its downfall If there
are any lingering fomenters of the spirit
of faction around the footstool Of power,
either Danish them therefrom or reform
their tendencies. If there are those who
seek to prescribe Republicans, let
them be taught that lie who stands
faithfully and fearlessly by the Re-
publican flag in defense Of Repub-
lican principles is eminently entitled
TO consideration, confidence, and respect,
1t is time TO consider the members OF
the party only in the light Of fidelity to
principle and devotion to the public in
terest, Let by-gones be by-gones, or the
Republican party will soon be numbered
with the past.
TnE New York Tribune will certainly
desist from further unkind illusions tc
the editor of this paper after having
demonstrated, TO its own satisfaction that
whoever is criticized is thereby placed in