Year: 1873

TUE l<utt tuHphssH ""e WV
Decided bD IL.


The peaceful assembling Of seven millions or
freemen near their respective homes to choose
by ballot the chef magistrate OF great nation
constitutes in itself an epoch in the political
history OF the world. 1t is true, the rulers OF
Greece and Rome IN their earlier days, and OF
Germany and few other countries, have been,
at more or less regular intervals OF time, elect
cd; but only by the voice of the privileged few,
never by universal manhood suffrage. In fact,
the growth and development Of political ideas,
and their practical application to government,
have been exceedingly slow among the peoples
OF the earth. The sway of patriarchal, ogarchal
and absolutely despotic governments extends
over thousands of years and the limited
monarchy-uncertain, shadowy, and even de-
lusve in its guarantees Of the rights OF the In
diyldual-has virtually grown up within the
present century. Thus, the United States con-
stitute the only great power on earth which by
law and in practice derives all its powers from
the free consent of the governed, and whose
sole function is to execute the will OF the ma
jorty constitutonally and legally expressed.


AS every Presidential election is, moreover
preceded by SIX months Of excited and elaborate
discussion of all questions pertaining to gov
ernment and to the welfare Of the people, the
verdict of the majority of this grand jury OF
seven millions is OF the gravest Importance,
not merely to the American statesman but to
the historian and philanthropist Of the civilized
world.


Those metropolitan journals that advocated
with 30 much zeal the cause Of the defeated
party have endeavored since the close OF the
campaign to explain away its import by series
of elaborate editorials but the victors, sus-
tanned by the largest popular majority ever
given, are unwilling to accept from their po-
ltical foes the Interpretation OF the meaning
Of the late campaign. Difficult as it is to elm
mate the ephemeral from the permanent ele-
ments entering into campaign Of such great
magnitude and waged over 30 wide an exten1
OF territory 1t is yet OF the utmost Importance,
il we wish to enjoy the advantages resulting
from the victory, that the issues made and de-
cded shall be clearly set forth.


l. As early as November, 1871, when the re-
moral certainty, several leading Senators and
journalists held conference in New ork City,
and arrived at the conclusion that, the public
confidence in the integrity Of General Grant
and bis leading supporters must be undermined
at every cost. In fact, the atrocious scheme
was concocted to drive the Administration from
power by sheer weight OF defamation. In
former campaigns equal feroclty and mahgmty
may have been put forth against renominated
President and his friends. but they were only
the vulgar outgrowth of fierce and ignorant
oppostion-n the result OF deliberate de-
sign. President Grant was treated with in
sufferable lnsolence; his claims to statesman
ship were denied, and every act, public or pri-
vate, misrepresented. If he went to Long
Branch he was accused of neglecting the public
business II he remained at the Executive
Mansion, it was to plot for his reelection If
he removed an incompetent officer, it was to
crafty revenge; and if he appointed relative.
however remote, 1t was an act of objectionable
nepotism whether he advocated the annexa-
ton of Santo Domingo, or remitted the ques-
ton to the people-in fact, whatever he or his
chief advisers might do or omit to do was mis-
represented and held up to scorn and derision.
Senator Sumner, whose character gave respect
ability to these atrocious falsehoods, did not
hesitate to proclaim in the Senate chamber that
q the President ought to be impeached for high
crimes and miedemeanors" committed by him
In violation Of the Constitution of the United
States and the peace, safety, and honor OF the
people thereof


Therefore. the first and one OF the most i'm
portant lessons taught by the late campaign is,
that spite, falsehood, mahgnity, envy, aud mis-
representation cannot destroy nor even weaken
the confidence Of the people in the President
of the nation, If he is faithful to national in
terests. 1t was severe test, but the people
proved that they had the intelligence to per-
ceive and the courage to uphold the right.


ii. The election also proved that the people
had full confidence in the patriotic motives OF
their statesmen, holding that the mistakes
which we're committed were errors Of the head
and not OF the heart. They believed that the
Republican party was composed of patriots
who we're anxious to secure the welfare and
honor Of the country, and that 1t would be
dangerous to entrust the control Of the Gov
ernment to those who had but recently raised
the standard of rebellion against its authority
and to the heterogeneous clements that we're
marshaled by the opposition. This confidence
IN the fidelity, patriotism, and craftsmanship
Of the Republican party remains unshaken,
and it is, therefore, Its mission to conduct pub
hc affairs IN accordance with the demands OF a
progressive public sentiment, 30 as to increase
and not to diminish the confidence hitherto re-
posed in its integrity.


Ill. The people also decided that all reform
movements must be carried on with In the Re-
publican organization, that party being both
capable and desirous Of responding to the de-
mands Of public opinion, and to enact into
law every reform project which had been fully
matured. Those men, therefore, who pro-
claimed that the mission Of the Republican
party was finished; that ITS Z" time had come.