Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1871 — Position and Prospects of the Republican Party. [ARTICLE]

Position and Prospects of the Republican Party.

The Democracy for a long time had a standing boast that it was the “ permanent party of the Republic,” and there was some ground on which to base the conceit. It was conceded by them that the party might be occasionally—once in a generation, perhaps—defeated in a national election, but that the party would even then be a strong force in the government, and after a four years’ vocation would take the reins of the government again, all the wiser and stronger for the recreation it had enjoyed. This was not only believed by the Democrats, but many of opposite political faith have had great faith in the assumption that, taking the years together, the Democratic party, was the strong and controlling party of the country, and that in it political position and promotion was more certain to be secured than in any other, and that commercial or local interests would best secure protection and as-

sistance through an alliance with that school of politics. Hence the self-seeking and unprincipled have been more prone to ally themselves with it, than with any other political organization, and from this assumption of popular strength much of the power of the party has proceeded. Even now after the Republican party has ruled the country for many years, this pretention is made the basis of an expectation that the Republican party must soon be dissolved, and the invincible Democratic party have everything its own way for many years to come. But in making up this judgment, those who have adopted it have overlooked sev eral important considerations. The first of these is the fact that for many years the Democracy held power only through divisions existing among its opponents. By making itself the vassal of the slaveholding aristocracy it kept itself strong in the South, and kept the opposition in the North divided. By loud professions of love for the “ Federal Union" it deceived many in the North as to the real and ultimate designs of the slave aristocracy to divide the Union. The fallacy and hypocrisy of this love for the Union was effectually dispelled by the rebellion, and never again will that party bo able to divide the people of the stronger States of the Union as they did before the war. But another difficulty was experienced bv the opponents of Democracy. No Whig or Republican Administration, with the exception of Mr. Lincoln’s first term, was allowed a fair chance to develop or establish a policy expressing the true convictions of the party.* The results expected from General Harrison’s election were cut off by John Tyler’s treachery. His veto neutralized the efforts of the Whig Congress to establish a Reform party. But for his treachery the election of a Democratic President would have been impossible. The success of Taylor in 1848 was also neutralized by his death and the overcoming of the easy virtue of Millard Fillmore to the policy of the Southern Democracy. His weakness, of course, made the election of a Democratic successor a certainty. Mr. Lincoln served one term with strict fidelity to the interests of the country, but his efforts were necessarily occupied with military operations rather than with political theories and organizations. When the time came to juild up a strong and harmonious party, based on reformatory and truly American ideas of government, we had to contend with another apostate in the person of Andrew Johnson. The two-thirds major ity in Congress saved the country from many calamities, but the bitter fight with the accidental President prevented the upbuilding of a strong party through the positive influence of the Administration. In spite of all our misfortunes, however, the Republican party elected a President, and in two successful years has laid tfae foundation for success in the future. We have had our share of trouble on new questions, as any party must have, and on . financial questions have had our diversifies. We have, as every party in power must have, our contests with the beasts of prey, who follow our camp, the same who will follow our opponents should they ever succeed us in power. We have our family debates and dissensions, as every party, good or bad, must have. Butin spite of all, Gen. Grant’s administration has strengthened public confidence, carried forward important reforms, protected the weak and persecuted, and preserved domestic tranquility and preserved domestic tranquility and preserved peace in all our relations with the rest of the world. We claim no infallibility for our executive, nor for our organization, but we can claim that both have been bravely, strictly faithful in carring out its platform of principles and in protecting the rights, honor and safety of the government. Democratic Presidents consulted the views of a small coterie of Southern political managers. Gen. Grant has respected the convictions of the masses of the people. The Democracy sought war as a means of making party strength. Gen. Grant has pursued the utmost moderation and wisdomjin our efforts to settle national difficulties. The rights of the negro have been protected, and the rights of property were never better protected in any country. Manufacturers are prosperous, the labor of the husbandman is rewarded, and the march of the country in prosperity was never at a greater rate of speed than now. . The fidelity and success of the Administration is laying the foundation for a Republican succession. It has been faithful to its trusts, magnanimous to its opponents, and truly American in all its aims and plans. The Democracy, therefore, may lay aside all expectations of ever becoming “ the permanent party of the country. ’’ It has forfeited confidence, and has not virtue enough left to regain it, by a change of course It will put into leadership not its wisest, but its most reckless men. It will consult, not its coolest but its most hotheaded and reckless counselors. It will pander to prejudice, and refuse the counsels of reason and judgment. The Republican party will pursue the opposite course, and hence is really the “ permanent party, ” of this great Republic.— Toledo Blade.