Year: 1861

The history of the Republican party from
the day of its birth, has been in conformity
with it's origin. 1t was not founded upon
an idea, but upon coalition. At the time
it was created there was demand for
party-a principle seeking a representative;
but the demand was responded to by those
who had no respect for or confidence in prin-
ciples. If we were to name individuals
who can properly be taken as the types Of
its parentage, we would say that it was be-
gotten by Owen Lovejoy upon Thaddeus
Stevens, or by Gamaliel Bailey upon Francis
P. Blair-Horsce Greeley being the dc-
coUcheur selected 10 introduce itt the world
In other words, Abolitionism furnished the
seed, and Know Nothingism the matrix, and
a desire for Office supplied the vital energy.
Men who had been long out, were desperate
to come in-so desperate that the sole ques-
tion was what means will be likely to be
the most effectual. "You have not been in
the minority as long as have" was the re-
sponse of the editor of the New York Tribune
to one who demonstrated with him on the
course he was recommending, at the time
the foundation of the party was being laid
at Pittsburg; and this expression is the key
to the character of the thing that was con-
structed, and the index to its history. "Let
us unite all the elements of opposition to the
unprincipled party that now holds the Gov
ernment," said Mr.. Blair. The sentiment
was applauded and the elements of opposi-
ton, in order to bare themseles to the work
of breaking the unprincipled party, united in
laying their principles upon the common
altar.


There is no remedy for defective Consti-
tuition and as a thing is born, whether it be
individual or institution, so it will continue.
Strange and subtle diseases-so say the best
of writer's upon physiology-are sometimes
conveyed to the couches of maternity by the
hand of the midwife; and there is reason to
suspect that, besides its congenial complaints,
the Republican Party may owe an unfor-
tunate complication of its maladies to the
unwholesomness of the attending physician.
However that may be, the general character
of its future was plainly enough indicated at
its beginning; and in looking ever its history
there is no reason to charge it with having
belied the augury of its origin.


The late disbandment of the Republican
party in Ohio is in perfect keeping with all
its other performances. AS it failed to meet
the demand which called it into existence, so
it has failed to meet every other that has
been made upon it, AS it came into the
world amid a spasm of moral cowardice, SC
its life has been succession of spasms; and
whether this last and worst which it has en-
| countered is destined to put period to itE
days, or whether it will partially revive and
struggle on in a poor and useless career, is
not question of much Importance.


If there has ever been time when it wa!
especially obligatory upon the Republican
party to act with vigor, and when energy
and courage would have been most remuner
ative, that time is now. For once it ha(
something to stand upon-to support anC
defend the policy Of the Administration
which it put into power. The whole fell
was open to it. The heart Of the masse
was in the war. The other party, b.


permitting itself to be ruled by tactic


in sympathy with the rebellion, was vir
tually out of the way. The countr


was calling for vigorous measures on tn
part of the Government. The RepNblican-
the party of the Government-was natural


expected to supply the organized nucleu


upon which the people could rally to its SUI


port. 1t vas in position. It's face was


the enemy. Victory was in its grasp. Ther


was as much depending it as ever part


had of responsibility for the fate ofa country


and when the hour for action arrived, it d.


liberately turned tail and marched Off th
field. Like the Pennsylvania regiments


the eve of the battle at Manassas, it di


covered that its time had expired, and


wanted to 20 home. In the name


Heaven, was there ever, in all the doings


parties or the history of politics, great
folly coupled with greater treachery.


We do not conceal from ourselves that,
all probability, the orders for this movemel


came from Washington. That it would n
have been done without permission from tn


quarter may be set down as certain. y
; have named types of the parentage of Il
party in previous paragraph the type
! the party itself is resident at the Capital.
: is Mr.. Lincoln and his Cabinet individual
I and lectively-"variety," as the naturs
lists say, sin unity"-its latest born; heir
all its half virtues, and real weaknesses,


, There is nothing to be said in favor OF par
: permanency, but if there is ever any reas