History of the Republican Party

The United States the Foremost Nation of the Earth-What Made It So-The Mission of the Republican Party Not Ended-Source of Republicanism-Slavery-The Seed of the Church-The Original Meaning of Slave-Slaves First Brought Into Virginia Colony-The Part Played by Great Britain—Georgia's Opposition-Jefferson's Arraignment of the Crown-Slavery in the Articles of Confederation-Taxation and Representation.

The Republican party has been the most powerful champion of freedom and equal rights in the world. The feeble and scattered elements that fifty years ago began to combine, here and there, were all lowers of human equality. Under various names, led by a purer patriotism far in advance of the different political organizations to which they had belonged, they continued to grow in numbers and influence, until, composing a majority of their respective communities in this Republic, they were, in response to an inexorable law, drawn into one great spirited army, with a common purpose -equal and perpetual freedom for all—and a common name, REPUBLICAN.

McClellan, in his "Republicanism in America," declares that "of all the political organizations in America, none has had so hard a struggle for National existence as that known as the Republican party of to-day; nor has any political party any country or age achieved so much for the advancement

of human liberty and the elevation upon a common platform of the religious and civil equality of all men before the law."

Looking upon these facts as a complete and accomplished record, it is common for our enemies, and the more superficial members of our own household, to regard the Republican party as an organization that has little more to do except keep itself in office. The cry that "the mission of the Republican party is ended," and that therefore small misfortune, except that it will place the Democrats in power, will result if it shall be dethroned, contains as little truth as the declaration that the mission of the church is ended because the Bible is printed.

"Democracy is the creed of a province; it dwells in fetid. wards. Republicanism is the religion of a Nation; it creates imperial commonwealths out of desert wastes." These "imperial common wealths" constitute the foremost nation of the earth-the American Republic. It leads them all in public school systems, home comforts, multiplicity of labor-saving machinery, public service, perfect autonomy of government for local communities, modes of travel, engines of general intelligence, public caravansaries, means of adjudicating disputes between man and man, freedom of thought, religion, press and speech, and in the utmost freedom of action in individuals consistent with good order and the rights of others, without the slightest government restraint or espionage.

Notwithstanding the crimes of the South against the blacks, we hold the beacon of civil liberty and personal equality higher than any other nation. The light of our civilization goes farther into the jungles of ignorance and barbarism, deeper into the dungeons of tyranny and oppression than that of any other people. We are the loadstone of nations, the guiding star of the world.

We have achieved this proud position since the great Republican party came into power. All these glories are the results of its policy, the offspring of its principles. Who can

say such an organization has no further mission? Its mission is as vitally important as ever. It must guard and protect the people's treasures; for the finer and richer the garden, the more rank will be its growth of weeds when left without the gardener's care.

Christ was persecuted, betrayed and crucified for the emancipation of all mankind from the penalty of sin. The Republican party came into existence through scourges to kindle those fires of freedom which should melt the shackles from every slave, and obliterate every trace, effect and prospect of human servitude and political inequality in the Republic.

The emissaries of Christ, instead of laying down their burdens and leaving the Devil and his followers to convert themselves, are more numerous and zealous than ever, because the gospel of salvation has not reached every heart. So must the Republican organization press forward in its mission until every citizen of the realm is the equal in peace and safety of every other, and in the free and fair exercise of his every right and immunity.

Histories are so written now, in order not to offend the sensibilities of the guilty, and campaigns are so conducted that the young men just stepping into the public arena can hardly avoid the impression that political contests are carried on for no other purpose than to see which side shall get into the postoffices. They do not know what sacrifices their present blessings cost. They do not appreciate the dangers of the future nor the struggles of the past. This is not right.

The holy religion of our Savior is refreshed and strengthened by a perpetual return to its great author. Once every twelvemonth we go back together to the foundations of liberty, read anew the Declaration of Independence, and celebrate the deeds of our forefathers, thus rejuvenating our patriotism and love of country. So may the worshipers of the Republic, especially the rising generation, be profited,

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History of the Republican Party: Embracing Its Origin, Growth and Mission ...