Year: 1861




continue in afiliation with those whose


opinions arc the very antipodes of their


own, in hopes to control the action of


the party upon that question. They


may succeed in a degree, but the past


action of the party in the several States


shows that radicalism has the ascend


ancy and generally controls its policy.


AT matters now stand, the radical ele-


mcnt is restive and dissatisfied. Its


organs.are pitching in" on the Ad-


ministration in a manner which, if imi-


tated by Democratic presses, would ex-


clude them from the mails as danger


ous to the peace of the country.


The pressure of the war question
may keep those elements acting togeth-
er while the war slasts, but the seeds
of decay and dissolution are already
sown and its history will soon be writ
ten. In its place will be found one
which will be composed of tile radical
portion of the present Republican or
ganization, and which will boldly in
scribe its abolition principles upon its
banner, and give battle for power and
place in the State and Federal govern
ments. The Democratic organization
is exposed to no such disaster. Sue
cess does not divide it, nor does defeat
impair its strength. Its principles
have all been tried and tested by the
infallible standard of experience, and
sre proved to be adopted to the consti-
tuition and the wants of the country
1t is true that bad men have sometimes
controlled its minor organizations, that
conspirators have crcpt into its coun-
ellis; and it is also lamentably true that
it has been betrayed by men whom it
has elevated to power and place
These teings would ruin beyond hope
of redemption any party which had not
for its basis vital and living principles,
which, in their practical workings, |
were adapted to and necessary for the
successful administration of the gov
crnment under our republican institu-
tions. These principles are as true and
as important to-day as they ever have
been: and no administration, which. de-
sires to administer the Government in
accordance with constitutional princi-
pies, and do equal justice to all por-
tions of the country, can fail to be
guided by them in its action.


This has been the case with Mr..
Lincoln, on the only question of par
ty character on which he has been
to adopt a definite policy,
viz: in the treatment of the slavery
question. In this regard Mr.. Lin
coins Administration which has been
elected in opposition to the Democrat
ic, have ultimately adopted, on import
ant questions, in their administration
of affairs, the Democratic policy
This was true of the one elected in
1913, on the slavery question; and it is
true thus far of the present Admins
tration, in their measures, also, on the
question of slavery.


The principles of the Democratic
platform are right. They receive to-
day the saction of every Democrat in
the country. And they really are ap-
proved by at least one-half of the Re-
publican party. Sooner or later those
men who thus harmonize in sentiment
must and will act together. The great
of the country will demand
it, for in no other way can the Govern
ment be saved from destruction by the
mad schemes of fanaticism. How this
is to be accomplished may not now be
a practical question, but it will sooner
or later be forced upon the attention of
the conservative portion of the Repub-
lican party, andit is worth their while
to be giving it consideration.


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