Year: 1868




the republican party the party of broad, liberal
views and statesmanlike policy, and have
utterly crushed out the Jacobins who were
already preparing to array themselves against
Lincoln at the time Of his death, had
he called Congress together upon his
accession to power and united with
the legislative department in carrying out
his policy of Southern reconstruction. He
neglected the opportunity, and thus arrayed
his party against him. A number of seedy
politicians attempted to raise up the conserva-
tive republican banner from the dust at the
famous Philadelphia Convention, but they only
succeeded in running themselves into copper
headism, and were laughed ct for their pains.
Grant was looked up to as the coming leader
of the conservative forces, and he was cham
pion dreaded by the radicals. But they set to
work to undermine the citadel they despaired
of carrying by assault, and Grant fell before
them. 1t is q singular fact that only few
months ago Grant was feared as the great oppo-
nent of radicalism, while Chief Justice Chase
was regarded as its coming man. When the
present Congress met the influence of the pre-
vious elections made itself felt, and again con-
servative republicanism asserted it's power.
The radicals found themselves in minority,
Butler and Stevens were beaten at every turn,
and impeachment went by the board. But by
perseverance and tact, Joined with unsurpassed
boldness of action, the Jacobins again secured
the upper hand. johnson fell into the trap
prepared for him by his vindictive enemies,
and, bated with Grant, impeachment at last pre-
vailed, and once more conservative republi-
canism seemed forever crushed out of exist
ence. ~


The apparehD annihilation of conservatism
may, however, prove, after all, its salvation.
Now is its golden opportunity. The impeach-
ment, to which the radicals have pinned their
fortunes, is miserable failure before the
people, If it should be suffered to succeed it
will be to the disgrace of the nation and the
disgust of all honest men. Yet its success is
the only thing that can give the radicals per-
manent and assured control of the republican
party. Such men as Stevens, Butler, Bout
well, Wade and Logan, who have heretofore
been regarded as mischievous factionists by
their associates, aspire to lead the organization
and guide the administration. Their ambition
is to strip the executive and judicial branches
of the government of all power, to build up a
legislative autocracy and to mould Congress to
their will. The removal of Johnson and the
advancement of Wade to the Presidency can
alone secure to them the objects at which they
aim. But their revolutionary programme is
with the people, and, as the recent
elections have shown, hopelessly destroys the
strength of Grant as Presidential
Let the conservative republi-
cans Of the Senate, then, unite with
Chief Justice Chase in demanding the
acquittal of the President on the clear point
of law that there is no case to 90 to the
jury; let them, in fact non-suit the Managers,
and with impeachment will fall forever the
Jacobin leaders who would bring ruin upon the
country. The path of the conservatives will
then be clear. Let them nominate Chase for
the Presidency, with such man as Thomas or
Schofeld, or some other sterling soldier, as
Vice President, and they win rally the masses
Of the country to their support and will crush
out the radicals and the copperheads together.
If they pursue this policy their success is
assured. The democrats, with the bitterest
ight before them that has ever been expe-
rienced in political convention, can make no
nominations against such ticket. A few con-
irmed copperheads might slough off on to PEN
lleton, Seymour, vallandigham, Fernando
Wood or some other notorious rebel sympa-
thizer, as the handful Of Jacobins would adhere
10 Grant, Wade, Ben Butler or whoever might
be their nominee; but the great body of the
people will go with the party that had proved
itself true to the constitution and support the
man who had proved himself the firm and fear
less upholder of the law.