Year: 1871




The recent election has demonstrated
not only the intelligence and virtue ot
the people, but the essential integrity
and unity of the Republican party. uThi.
unmistakable fact is among its many gra
tifying features. We have been told
that the party was hopelessly broken
into angry and contending factions. We
have heard the never-ending story from
our enemies that the differences among
our friends were ireconcilable, and that
nothing could bring them together in
united, consolidated, harmonious efforts
for common victory.


For our own part, we have, as ou,
readers know, not only deprecated divis-
ion but deprecated their assumed extent
and acIimony. While not blind to the
differences of sentiment upon minor point
nor insensible the unfortunate influence
they have sometimes exercised, we have
been constant in the faith that in the
glow of great duty these elements would
melt and blend into one strong, compact
and irresistible mass. The triumph over
which We now rejoice vindicates and con-
firms that judgement. The Republican
party has fought this momentuous fight
with single purpose and united ranks.
1t has indeed had the assistance ofmany
honest Democl ats-a fact which we nei-
ther forget nor fail to appreciate. None
deserve more credit than those who have
thrown OF the shackles of party In their
superior devotion to the cause of pure
and honest government. According them
their full share of the honor which re-
bounds to all, we at the same time recog-
nize with peculiar satisfaction the un-
doubted fact that the Republican party
stood shoulder to shoulder in the grand
assault upon the thieves and corruption
lists.


Indeed it has been mistake to assume
that any radical and pervasive aniagon-
ism existed. The Republican organiza
ton is party devoted not 20 men but to
principles. 1t rests not upon the basis
of faction, but on the foundation of broad
political purposes, 1t bows to no indi-
viduals, but only to the great cause which
called 1t into being, which has inspired it
through memorable career. and which
now infuses new vitality and power into
its life. Republicans honor and trust
their leaders. They follow thir guidance
with confidence. They may, according
20 their own personal preference, yield
the greater mesure of honor to this and
thai chief, as. the corps of an army, with
out su. .hstracting from their regard for
other commanders, may cherish the more
affection t,>r their own immediate gener-
ais. But I.ersonal attachments neither
invoke Republicans. nor would be suffer
4 In 70 hot lot r.l
their high regard for the interests Of the
party and the people. The great mass
Of the people profoundly believe in its
principles, and are supremely. devoted te
their triumph. ----... -s.


And such a crisis IS that througl
which We are passing was precisely the
emergency to evoke tn err best efforts
The Republican party il always strongest
when great moral issues are 1t stake. Ii
always makes the most vigoi Gus and sue
cessful fight when questions to uching the
very lite of the State depend pom the
result When ambitious slavery threat
ened to spread its foul taint over the ter
ritories, the Republican party sprang into
being out of the moral sentiment of the
people. When bafflcd slavery lifted its,
arm to strike down the Government it
could not control, the Republican party
was quickened with new vigor. When
treachery in the White House and renew
ed rebellion at the South menaced the
best fruits of the long war and the costly
victory, the Republican party again
aroused itself for new exertion. And
now in the presence Of stupendous rob-
berries and misrule, in the presence of a
canker of corruption and debauchery
which threatened to eat out the vitality
of the. State, the Republican party has
once more made a united and successful
effort to arrest and avert the evil. After
this, then, may we not hope for less talk
whether mischievous in spirit or merely
distrustful in hope, about Republican
differences2