National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-26
Grant, ConkIing, and stalwartism.

Grant, ConkIing, and Stalwartism.
lam Republican, as the. two great political
parties are now divided, because the Republican
party is national party. seeking the greatest good
for the greatest number of citizens. There is not
precinct in this vast Nation where Democrat can
not east his ballot and have it counted as cast; no
matter what the prominence of the opposite party,
he can proclaim his political opinions even if he
is only one among thousand, without fear and
without prescription on account of his opinions.
There fourteen States, and localities in other
States, where Republicans have not this privilege.
This is one reason why am Republican. But
am Republican for many other reasons The
Republican party assures protection to life and
property, the public credit, and the payment
of the debts of the Government State,
county, or municipality far it can
control. The Democratic party does not promise
this; if it does it has broken its promises to the
extent of hundreds of millions, as many Northern
Democrats can testify to their sorrow. am Re
publican as between existing parties, because it
fosters the production of the field and farm, and
of manufactures and it encourages general edu-
cation of the poor well as the rich The Demo-
cratic party discourages all these when in abso-
lutte power. The Republican party is party of
PROGRESS and of liberality toward its opponents.
It encourages the poor to strive to better their
condition, the ignorant to educate their children
their more fortunate associates, and, in
fine, it secures an entire equality be-
fore the law of every citizen, no matter
what his race nationality, or previous condition.
1t olerates no privileged class. Every one has the
opportunity to make himself all he is capable of
Ladies and gentlemen, do you believe this can be
truthfuly said in the greater part of fourteen of
the States of this Union to-day which the Demo
cratic party control absolutely? The Republican
party is a party of principles-the same principles
prevailing wherever it has foothOld. The DEM
ocratic party is united but one thing, and
that is in getting control of the Government
in all its branches. 1t is for internal improve
ment at the expense of the Government in
one section, and against this in another. 1t
favOrs repudiation of solemn obligations in
one section, and honest payment of its debts
i'll another (where public opinion Will not tolerate
any other view) 1t favors fat money in one place
and good money in another. Finally it favors the
pooling of all issues not favored by the Republi-
cans, TO the end that il may secure the one prin-
ciple upon which the party is q most harmonious
unit, namely gaining control of the Government
in all its branches. / have been in some part of
every State lately in rebellion within the last year
i was most Hospitality received at every place
where l stopped. My receptions were not by the
Union class alone, but by all classes without dis
tinction. I had free talk with many who
were against US in the war, and who have
been against the Republican party ever since.
They were in all instances reasonable men,
Judged by what they said. l believed then, and
believe now, that they sincerely want breakup
in this Solid South political condition. They see
that it is to their pecuniaTy interests well to
their happiness that there should be harmony and
confidence between all sections. They want TO
break away from the slavery which binds them to
party name They want pretext that enough
of them can unite upon to make it respectful.
Once started, the Solid South viii go as KU KluXism
did before, and as so admirably told by Judge
TouFgee in his Fools Errand." When the break
comes those who start it will be asonshed to find
how many of their friends have been in favor of
it fora long time, and have only been waiting
some one take the lead. This desirable solution
can only be attained by the defeat and continued
defeat of the Democratic party constituted.
The above, it is almost needless to say,
is the celebrated speech made by General
Grant at Warren, Ohio September 2S,
1880. The General was followed from
the same platform by his associate Stall
wart, Senator Conkling. From that hour
the dark clouds of despair which lowered
over the political horizon of the Republi-
can party, by reason of the loss of Maine
under Blaine's leadership, was instantly
dispei!ed, and the courage, hope, and en-
thusiasm of the diSheartened Republicans
throughout the country were aroused,
and, under the inspiring leadership of
Grant and Conkling, the party marched
to victory. There were no faint |
hearts after they sounded the charge |
The principles announced by General |
Grant and elaborated by Senator Conk- |
ling were worthy the high ambition Of |
great party seeking to advance the best |
interests of a vast Nation of free people. |!
The citizens of the Republic responded |
to the sentiments uttered by these patri- |
Otic statesmen, and the Republican party |
was clothed with another fern of political |
administration. But, alas! what now is !
the condition of that great party,
saved from utter defeat by the |
great labor of Grant, Conkling, |
and their Stalwart associates? Weak |
ness, indecision, hesitation, petty |
spite, intrigue, and distribution of patron
aye to serve personal ambition seem to |
be the all-absorbing and governing mo-
tives that characterizes those in power.
They secured their temporary authority !
from the people on the presentation of /
principles so forcibly set forth in the |
above speech of General Grant and ad- |
vocated by Senator Conkling. Let us
cover rs with a mantle for moment the
sad reflections which arise in the breast
OF every Stalwart Republican as he con-
templates the party treachery of those
who propose to tear asunder the grand
old Republican organization and destroy
one of its most trusted leaders in order to
prosecute personal spite and crafty per-
sOnal ambition.
lay GoT-rD testified the other day in 4