The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-10-14
MISSION OF THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY

1t was generally supposed when
LoVEJor, HERNDoN and finally LIN
colin, in Illinois, coalescod in tho idea
OF slavery restriction, which idea was
subsequently adopted in the National
Republican convention that put FIRE.
MONT in nomination, that no other
question was involved. A few abolish
ionists wero the leavou, and il was nee
esSary TO secure Il party from mdivid-
uals OF other organizations, other plat
form planks had necessarily to bo abau-
doned. Two shiboleths Of tho same
import glittered their war cry to the
people. Nor was it promulged to tn
people of the slaye-holding states only
to those of the free states. One was
the famous blouse divided against
ITSELF speech made by MIR.
LINCOLN to tho Republican caucus
in his state for nominating a senator,
and the other the moro celebrated "irre-
pressible conflict" of Nix. SEWARD. No
pretence of aught but was against slav-
cry extension, and the right and duty of
congress to legislato il out Of territories
was made at the time the party was or
ganized. History shows that the so
called Frco-state men sincerely united
with the Abolition party before the nom
nation of LINCOLN, aud contemplated
tho very results that have subsequently
lllled the country with mourning and
financial distress.
A calm observer would naturally infer
that when that object, and far more than
they had hoped for in the very destrc.
ton Of slavery had occurred, the ele.
ments of the party would have divided
on other questions OF national policy
and entertained some independent
opinions. 1t might have anticipated
that men like DAN Sioktrs.
JouN A. LOGAN and other yiolont
Democrats previous to tho war would
have returned to their principles after
the union had boon preserved, which
they proIcsscd to he their object in tax.
ing up arms against tho south. But II
must bo remembered that in tho menn-
time the Republicans had obtained
power got into their hands the reins of
government and possessed the KEYS of
tho treasury vault. Hence whilst anti
bellum Democrats, like GRANT, BUTLER
and the like, followed the Republicans,
thousands of honest mon who saw no
occasion for the continuance of a marty
after the accomplishment Of the unions
preservation, felt as though they were
entitled TO the liberty Of conscience, and
voted with that party which represented
their views on national questions rather
than throw away their SURFACES ON the
dead issues of the past.
And now In all candor, is there any
threat of the union being dissolved, /.
there any danger OF tho object OF the
war, which was to preserve the union,
being defeated by any conceivable vio-
lence or lcgordemalu9 Aud whatan ,h.
surd spectacle Is prOgentod in the case
of Democrats who had been "rod
ihoutheu' on questions existing before
the war and now, as on the tariff issue,
for example, directly aud squarely ad.
vocating the most odous form of pro.
tective tariilf The Inconsistency proves
total dishonesty, aud It is agreeable to
see that those Democrats north who he
lioved In the fundamental doctrines of
Democracy are generally leaving the
ranks of the Republicans, with unutior.
BILE contempt for those who remain to
seek and divide political plumber. Dem
ocrats who rGurn, or rather ro-unite
themselves with the national Democ.
racy, act from principle, The othors are
mere camp followers, and care noithor
for principle nor public opinion. What
they want Is simply "booty.n