St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-03-05
The Republican Party.
An Able Resume of it's Deeds and Misdeec

Inc R6puDl1can H9rUy.
An Able Resume of it's Deeds and Misdeeds.
After controlling the executive de-
partment of the government for TWEEN
ty-four years, the republican party is
about to surrender its power and take
leave of the White House. 1t has made,
during this most eventual period in our
history as nation, a record of which
it's members have right to be proud,
and one that, in spite of its blemishes,
has never been equalled in honorable
achievement by any other political or
ganizatiOn.
The republican party was organized,
for national purposes, in the conven-
ton held at Philadelphia, June II,
1856. 1t was formed to resist the eX-
tension of slavery into the territories
of the United States. the ''normal con-
dition" of which it declared to be that
of freedom. It's first platform was
grounded upon the principles of the
Declaration of Independence and the
precepts of the constitution. 1t ''denied
the authority of congress, of IL terrific
rial Legislature, of any individual or
association of individuals, to give legal
existence to slavery i'll any territory of
the United States. while the present
constitution shall be maintained" and
declared that "the federal constitution,
the rights of the states and the union
of states shall be preserved" The only
other resolutions of Importance were
those favoring the immediate admis
sion of Kansas us free state, denOunc-
ING the Ostend circular, asking federal
aid in constructing "a railroad to the
Pacific ocean, by the most central and
practicable route" and in improving
"'rivers and haTbOrs of a national char
acter." The spirited and determined
canvass for "FremOnt and freedom"
followed, and in the election the Wig
OrOus new party polled ,34i ,264 votes,
to ,S3S. l69 for Buchanan, and S74 ,534
for Fillmore, the ''American" candi-
date. 1t carried eleven states, having
ia electoral votes, to 10 for the demo-
Gratis, with la electoral votes. The
defeat was presage of victory in the
next contest, and with the election of
Lincoln in 1860 the republican party
entered upon that long period of re-
spOnsibility and power which is now
ended.
1t is the habit of the organs and lead
ers of the republican party to claim for
it the credit of the wonderful increase
in the nations wealth and population
that has marked this era. But the ma
ton has grown and prospered under
every administration, and will continue
to do so while the attractions and ma
tuI nj resources of our country remain
what they are--while land is cheap,
education and conscience are free, and
fl, ,f Il
tons for the mass of mankind is attest
ed by the inflow of emigration. But
there are enough statesmanlike
achievements and moral victories for
which this party may fairly claim the
credit, to entitle it to high distinction
among the forces that have shaped civ
ilization and advanced the progress of
the human race during the past quar-
ter of IA century. Organized to resist
the extension of slavery, it was the in
strument under providence, of abolish
ing that monstrous moral wrong, and
putting an end to what has proved to
have been stupendOus economic
blunder. To have emancipated 1000,
600 Of human beings from the barbar
ism of slavery, and to have given to
one half of the Union the boon of free
labor, IL free press and free speech, is
sufficient title to lasting honor. But
the republican party has done more
than this. In its hands was placed the
direction of the war for the preserva-
ton of the Union, and To the patriot
ism, patience, sagacity and under
standing of the people possessed by
Abraham Lincoln the successful issue
of that contest was largely due, al
IL,
erals and soldiers, contributed their
full share to the result.
To the republican party is due the
building of the Pacific railroad at the
time that great enterprise was under
taken and pushed to completion and
to that and the homestead law, like
wise republican measure, the rapid
development of the mineral and agri-
cultural resources of the great West
must be accredited The republican
party abolished the ranking privilege,
reduced the rates of postage, estab-
lished the principle of international.
arbitration, passed the civil service re-
form bill, and initiated wise and hui
name Indian policy, which, if not vet
adequate to all the needs Of the abo-
rhymes, has put stop to Indian wars
anu DldCtu TIC VI Ilt race III
the way of civilization. If some of
these measures were only passed under
the whip and spur of an lnsistent pub
lie opinion, the party in power is en-
titled to the same measure of praise
for their adoption that it received of
blame for neglecting them. The re-
publican management of the public
debt and finances has been, on the
whole remarkably successful, as the
high state of the nations credit and
the consequent low rate of interest tes-
tify. 1t carried out the resumption of
specie payments against stupid resis- |
lance from within and obstinate oppo- |
sitiOH from without. And it has beat
EN- down the dishonesty and fallacy of /
the movements, at one time formidable !
even within its own ranks, for taxing |
bonds, in violation of contracts, and !,
paying" them in other promises to-