Year: 1874

From The Washington National Republican tRp) Jun>s


The Presidential probabilities and possibili-
ties OF 1876 just the subject Of considerable
speculation and discussion In many OF the principal our
nails OF the country, and II may believe the public
prints topics OF little interest to many OF leading
statesmen and politicians For instance, the
spondent of Western journal assures tina certain
prominent seuator in Washington in the habit
OF holding meetings OF leading Congressman at his resi-
dence city for the purpose Of consultation TO
the present and future Of the Republican party We are
assured that this gentleman who is Of the strongest
in the party Is OF the opinion that 10 Is losing its
hold upon the country that 1t has wellfefned policy
upon anything; bur, split into half dozen factions,


like the clans of the old Scots, It is longer the firm,
compact, unbroken booY that 1t five two
years ago There undoubtedly truth than poetry
In the picture but what Of 1T We need never again
expect TO see on either the political unity
nmity that characterized the Republican aud Demo-
cratic parties OF ten years The for the Unou


the abolition OF slavery. and, In later years the
structon Southern States questions of such
transeendant magnitude ana Importance that they alb
sorbed the undivided thought and attention OF the
North As Stood solid and unbroken in the
'front.' the people who kept their ranks hled stood be-
hud them at the polls the council chambers ana IN
the halls OF legislation To do the supreme and
commanding duty of the hour. We had grand.
trial. living idea to rally around and sustain Tue minor
quest OF the hour secondary and subsidiary.
But that the OF the rebellion and the problems
OF reconstruction have been committed 70 the his
tonan; that the little child who four or i've years
old when the nation startled by the first gun OF re-


belion In the Charleston harbor will be voter In 1876,
We must not surprised that the questions which
dwarfed forgotten during all those long years
rise into prominence and Importance; that We have
many and many leaders, seeming political
chaos divided councils aud dissatisfaction and general
political unrest. To our mind the situation affords
congratulaon rather than regret With the
Senator to whom have alludee we may the
line, the rigid discipline, and when order s
issued the unqualified obedience OF other years. and be-
alarmed that ties OF party tightly
In seemingly important contests but, after all only
marks independence the intelligence and the eapa-
by for sefgovernment Of the people Parties are not
any infallible than individuals, and the party
which exacts, receives and expects olnd ae'ouoh
from Its followers must In the very nasure OF nnSs %
party OF ignorance aud cannot continue 70 exist


The fact that the Republican party Is seemingly rent
into factions with divided interests aud ambitions. TO
our mind the certain evidence Of Its success 10 the


future II Ia divided because OF Its intelligence
,ts pro9ress and advancement toward government OF


the people for tho people and BY the people OF which the
fathers of tho dreamed Of attanins
TAXA for instance one State IN the west wsesasan