The Daily Madisonian

HARMONY - HARMONY - HARMONY.

The dangerous position which the Republican party is now placed in, must strike every citizen, interested in its success, very forcibly. We can see in the perseverance of the course which a few ultra politicians seem determined to pursue, nothing except perils and dangers ahead. And even though we may speak to some who are as senseless to our words as "stocks and stones," yet we feel it to be our duty to urge harmony and conciliation in the Republican ranks, that others may at least profit by what we cannot but consider good advice.

We have never, unless compelled to do so by the most infamous attacks, said a word calculated to produce confusion. Those who have made these attacks are answerable for them and for the issue. We shall ever maintain our own personal character and political dignity.

At the same time that we preach conciliation and harmony, we ask neither favor nor affection from those who choose not to listen to us. He who draws a drop of blood from our arm, shall always have in return an inch of dagger in his side.

But the country will bear us witness that we have made attacks on no one. Our position has constantly been one of defence, and that, too, under the most extraordinary circumstances.

The Federal politicians, truer to Mr. Clay's ambitious desires, than either to their own independence or the country's good, deserted the Administration, and for what? - echo answers what? Because the President, in defiance of honor, consistency, and conscience, would not tag his name to a bill incorporating "an obsolete idea." When the Federal politicians made war upon the President, he did not shrink from responsibility, he did not ask forbearance or quarter. But, rising up with the strength of a giant, conscious of right, and indignant at their design to coerce him into a position of political baseness, he battled with them, armed with the shield of the Constitution and the old sword of Jeffersonian Republicanism, and covered their angry legions with defeat and disgrace. Had the Republican party of the country no voice of approbation for the champion of constitutional rights? Yes, the People, the mass of the party, were on the eve of bursting out into one long shout of praise for his triumph over his and their enemies, when the wily politicians of the party, men entrusted with honors and offices by the People, but whose souls had become swollen and livid with power, forgetting their position as public servants - forgetting honor, honesty, humanity, and decency - crept up behind the unsuspecting victor, wearied with the toil of the conflict, and attempted to stab him to the heart. God ever protects the honest and just. They staggered as they gave the blow, and it proved harmless; and the lightning was not quicker than the stroke which followed, smiting them into dust and ashes. We say into dust and ashes, for powerless and broken-hearted they now stand before the country, unsupported and despised, alike for their motives and their position.

The People of this country will permit no man to be persecuted, much less a competent and faithful public agent. And if an idea of breaking down the President suggests the ground work of much of the confusion which exists in the Republican ranks, we beg leave to say that such an undertaking is useless. The President is with the People, and you must break them down first.

We repeat, that nothing but harmony, harmony, can save the party. Are the People, the mass of the party, willing to run the risk of Federal success, by pandering to the ambitious appetites of any man, or clique of men? Heaven forbid.