The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-01-27

less observer of political affairs thar
the main, If not practically exclusive,
business of the Republican leaders from
now until the meeting OF the National
Convention will be to reconcile the
hostile factions which at present divide
the party. and which, by their sharp
antagonism. so largely contributed to
its recent deseat Unless this recon-
Citation can be effected. there is not
the ghost of q chance for Republican
success in 1884. 1t will be interesting.
therefore, to inquire how these two
factions =" Stalwarts = and ANTI
Stalwarts,' or HaIf-breeds were
divided. what are the points at issue
between them. and the prospects Of
thoroughly uniting them within the
next eighteen months.
As there has been no formal separa-
ton, and consequently no opposing
platforms of principles put forth, it is.
of course. impossible to trace with alb
solute accuracy the line of division.
That it began with the beginning of the
Republican party is, however. uliici-
emily plain. As early as 1855, when
Fremont was candidate for the Presi-
dency, Republicans were by no means
unit in feeling. except so far as beat
ing the Democracy was concerned.
One wing, composed of the old Adolf
tionists and their sympathizers, favored
tho immediate extinguishment Of
slavery; while the other. composed Ut
old Wings and converted Democrats.
was content with preventing the eyteh-
sion Of slavery into free territory. In
the campaign of 1860 the two wings were
still at odds on this question, and the
Conservatives as they may be called,
had their hands full in keeping such
radicals as Owen Lovejoy and others
from doing fatal damage on the stump.
In Illinois, for instance, it was consid-
cred doubtful and dangerous expert
ment to let LoveiOy speak as far south
as Alton, and not until he had promised
to be discreet did the Republican man
ayers give him permission. The cleo.
ton Of Lincoln and immediate breaking
out of the war temporarily suspended
the family disagreement. but it will be
remembered that one Of the most seri-
Gus difficulties with which the new Adj
ministrat;on had to contend was the
persistent grumbIing aud interference
of the Abo.itionists. They charged
Lincoln. who was born in Kentucky,
with being q "a Southern man. under
Southern influences" therefore UNI
worthy and unfit to lead strug-
gle baptized in the sacred blood OF
John Brown. His uncon auerabIe pa
thence and marvellous tact enabled him
to hold his worriers at bay until the
war was virtually over, but had he lived
year longer they would have forced
him to yield to their demands or
made his second term moro uncom-
portable than the first. The experience
of johnson in attempting to carry out
Lincoln's Southern policy shows what
was in store for his predecessor. When
the Fifteenth Amendment and Civil
Rights laws had supplemented emanci-
patton, the radical Repu Fcans concen-
trased their efforts upon the south,
which owes to them the ineffable in q
mics OF Reconstruction" IRON 1865
to 1874 the party was to all intents and
purI oses radicalixed, though there was
always a respectable minority having
conservative proclivities and OCCASION
ally making feeble effort in the direc-
~ - nu.o ~ ans 90 onu 'srm'
$3.50, 1851 hs. mu' nsessy - men'. y;
minority and threatened to chauge the
balance of power. Then it was that
Blaine, bitten by the Presidential taran-
tula. endeavored to rally the Radicals
az r'S ua aI ha ues!owou upon nS
man whom ssStalwarts'' now hate with
.nsonso a.u .c.l' eAora vio oseeInoss
; ~ INC n - u.~ i~ p anu sne DOLL oze
nas IN ~ 81 e vs1. "'l'e ~ 1910
"S ~. ING nls: o'e watt ue:eae
no'l ~ 'n .ho cll.ne na1 PIaceu
Isu'Pel ~ .ns Lsocu. V9 cnaIr me
o s.5 a M ansl ,s.; nepuoncans
sssss.l'cu 'Io i0n1so Posl.'ons 'ney
occuPy io hayes siaeu wun INC
anus ae,easeu s.e sou'n rom the Fay,
ones a!u css Pou,oaR Yoke: Pa.ron'zed
, ,eiofm - = snlan way snaD'ea conk,
nns, mn 1880: Soon NO seocA 70 sne miro
.erm BUSINESS. among the Staiwarts