Year: 1868




with events, and be the pioneer of tn


nation into an ever greater future. ]


will be we'll for the whole country
this can still be done by the same or
ganization which has already done s,
much il the Republican party can b,
so far preserved from corruption, dis
sension and fanaticism-its three mos
dangerous foes-as still to be entrusted
with the government. For its centra
principle, that out of which its working
ideas and its strength with the people
have grown, is justice. That this il
its character has been conspicuously
shown by the opposition to it, which
has already been founded as a party on
some aim or policy pronounced by the
popular conscience to be unjust. And
the Chicago resolutions of Thursday
whatever faults a minute criticism might
detect in the language or in the form Of
some of them, are, as a whole, an ex-
pllcit and satisfactory declaration of the
general sense of justice as applied to
the living questions of the day.


Foremost among them comes the re.
cognition Of what has already been done
towards the reorganization of society
in the South on the principle of equal
rights; and the purpose. now that, be-
yond doubt, of the American people,
that suffrage, in the new states of mix
ed population, shall not be withheld
from either class on account of color.
1t is not improbable that the contest be-
fore the people will be fought upon this
issue. The democratic leaders seem to
have stood still for many years, while
the world is moving, and still, perhaps,
trust the power of silly appeals to pre-
judlce of race and color. In reality, a
great part of the strength they now APP
pear to have has grown out of obiec-
tions, honestly entertained by friends
OF equal rights, to some of the special
methods and temporary moods of the
majority in Congress, and not out of
any disaffection towards the cardinal
points of Republican doctrine. When
the great issue comes in its simplicity
before the people, that apparent strength
is sure to n3et away before the fervent
fidelity of the masses to justice


The resolutions upon the finances
and the debt, though very general.
could scarcely be improved but call
for more full discussion hereafter
The repudiators have been so generally
rejected by public opinion, that no great
party is likely to avow views essentially
different from these. The same may
be said, with still greater assurance, Of
the policy of the convention towards
naturalized citizens and foreign immi-
grationi and Of its promise of substan-
tial gratitude to the soldiers and sea-
men of the war, and of support and
protection to the widows and children
of the fallen.


Nor would it be reasonable to object
to an expression of disappointment and
Indignation, from the Republican party,
towards the President of the United
States, even were its language more
bitter than that of the ninth resolution.
Whatever he, as an officer, has deserved
of court or Of Congress, no man can
doubt that he has Justly incurred rebuke
and rejection from the party which
raised him to power. That its rebuke
might have been expressed more effec-
lively by language of-greater dignity
and reserve, does not detract from its
essential justice.


But the Convention has done wisely
and well to add, as pendant to its de-
nunciation of Mr.. Johnson, the reso-
luton proposed by Mr.. Schurz, which
shows that it is not the Presidents
sympathy with southern distress, or his
kind indulgence towards repentant reb-
els, that has brought upon him the
wrath of the party. Justice is no long
er justice when it ceases to be temper
ed with mercy The people of the Uni
ted States are alone in history in that
moral greatness which can afford to
pardon treason. Nothing in their char
acter and &C tions has so ennobled them
selves, or SO surprised and impressed
Europe, as their successful lenity to
vanquished rebellion. Without an ex-
preston of this magnanimous spirit,
the authoritative declaration of prin-
oiples by the party of justice would
have been incomplete; and would have
i lustrated most imperfectly the char
lcter and record of the chieftain who
is their standard bearer