Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-01-05

1t is evident even to the most caro- |
less observer OF political affairs that |
hle 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 defeat. Unless this recon
Citation can be effected, there is not
tine ghost of a chance for Republican,
success in 1884. 1t will be interesting.
therefore, to inquire how these two
factions -" Stalwarts " and "anti-
Stalwarts, or Half-breeds '-,were
divided, what are the points at issue
between them, and the prospects of
thoroughly uniting them within the
pext 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 abb
solute accuracy the line of division.
That it began with the beginning of the
Republican party is. however, sutfici-
emily plain. As early as 1856, when
Fremont was candidate for the Presi-
dency, Republicans were by no means
unit in feeling, exceptso far as beat
ing the Democracy was concerned.
One wing, composed of the old Adolf
tionists and their sympathizers, favored
the immediate extinguishment of
slavery; while the other, COMPOSED of
old Wings and converted Democrats.
was content with preventing the extern
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 Lovejoy 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 Ad-
ministration had to contend was the
persistent grumbling and interference
of the Abolitionists. They charged
Lincoln. who was born in Kentucky,
I with being "a Southern man, under
Southern Influences" therefore un-
worthy and unfit to lead a strug-
gle baptized in. the sacred blood of
! John Brown. His uncomfortable pa
thence and marvellous tact enabled him
to hold his worriers at bay until the
war was virtually over, but had he lived
a year longer they would have forced
him to yield to their demands or
made his second term more uncom-
Portable than the first. The experie nee
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 Republicans concen-
trated their efforts upon the South,
which owes to them the ineffable in a.
mics OF reconstruction" IRON 1865
| to 1874 the party was to all intents and
purposes radicalized, though there was
always respectable minority having
conservative proclivities and OCCASION
ally making feeble effort in the direc-
ton of reform. Grants second term,
for reasons not necessary to mention.
brought heavy reinforcements to this
minority and threatened to change the
balance of power. Then it was that
Blaine, bitten by the Presidential taran-
tula. endeavored to rally the Radicals
around his flag and bestowed upon them
the name they have since borne. The
man whom Stalwarts', now hate with
1 intense and inexorable2 bitterness
was the first "Stalwart," and the NOM
nation of Hayes over Blaine in 1876
was the first Sta,wart defeat
| When an immortal crime had placed
a usurper in the Executive chair the
Stalwart and anti-Stalwart Republicans
assumed the relative positions thew
occupy to-day. Hayes sided with the
ants; released the South from the bay-
onet and carpet-bag yoke, patronized
reform in small way, snub5ed Conk-
ling, and took no stock in the third
term business. Among the Stalwarts
it may be said that
None knew him but to curse him;
| None named him but to damn"
Directly and indirectly, however, he
contrived to pay back his enemies with
interest. and probably considered him
self 'even' when Che second Stalwart
defeat came in the Nomination of Gar
field over Grant. Of the brief triumph
of the ants. the longer triumph of their
opponents, and the earthquake which
has lately flung both factions Gin a
heap" it is needless to speak AS they
now stand, what is il each represents?
This question is easier asked than an
swere1. but it is sufficient for our pres
ent purpose to say that Stalwartism is
understood to mean, in one shape or
another. boss and machine rule.
the civil-Seryice just as it is. just
enough reform in that and other thin rs
to fool the people, 1.-The spoils system
/ in its utmost perfection. and any device
short of actual force that will restore
Republican supremacy in the South
Anti-Stalwartism is understood TO mean
the destruction of s.boss" and Tina
chine" rule, some important changes in
the Civil-service Department, some real
reform there and elsewhere. and letting
the South in general and the negroes
in particular entirely alone. Here.
then. is a wide and deep gulf, the
first indications of which were visible
twenty six years ago. and through VIII CHI
flows the stream Of accumulated differ
pnpQS ipal0ucioq and hatrade uD,y