The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-08-11

mas lJS aJtr0CJlOnS, i am well con
vinced that results will be determined
by the surer il slower march of the
heavy columns.
II have always believed that adhe
renee to party platform does no
exclude freedom of opinion or of dis
cussion upon matters not Included
in 1t, though it does imply that sucl
discussion should be free ant
friendly interchange Of views Will
the object of throwing all possible
light upon subjects which may sooner
or later become topics of importance
and upon which we may have to form
O definite policy. When the time
comes for action, all thoroughly 10y
al men should agree to support that
policy which the wisdom of the ma
jority may agree upon, unless it shai
conflict with some principle consci
entiously held; in which case thoss
who so dissent have the undoubteC
fright to Withdraw their connection
not from a candidate SIMPLY, but from
the party. This view of political or
ganization is the only one l have bser
able to find, which will secure proper
unity and power oil action, and at the
same ,ima afford full scope for true
progress of opinion and that liberty
of individual thought which, l beg
you to remember, is as much the right
of candidates as of those who nomi-
nate them.
Our convention adopted plat
form, Of which the doctrinal part is
substantially embodied in two prop
ositions: lst. THAT slavery and its
institutions are irreconcilable to free
dom and free institution, and must
be finally and completely eradicated.
I'd. That President Johnson policy
of reconstruction is endorsed" with
the proviso that the complete resto-
ration of the rebel States "shall be
at such time and upon such terms as
will give unluestioned assurance Of
the peace and security not only to
the loyal people of the rebel States,
but also of the peace and prosperity
of the Federal Union
The spirit and disposition which
should control us in determining the
"tIme and terms" of reconstruction,
and all other questions or policy ac-
eumulating upon us, were likewise
stated in two resolutions, one, urging
the example Of our martyred Presi-
dent sin waiting for the solution of
difficulties to be furnished by the
progress OF time and logic of events"
the other declaring the necessity of
"keeping steadily in view the great
principles Of our Government, as set
forth in the Declaration of Independ
ence."
70 condense still more the essence
of the position of the party, may be
said to be the determination of the
political results of the war by the
united and harmonious action of tru
ly loyal men, actuated by a spirit at
once cautious, and controlled by an
earnest belief in the broadest doc
trims of human rights.
TO those principles I have given
You are the only members of the
Union party of the State whom have
round impatient 10 commit your
brethren in ADVANCE of the meeting
of Congress to a delinit policy upon
a subject upon which the convention
had by strongest implication declared
it premature to decide what course
ought to be taken. The State cleo
ton decides no such issues; the pro.
gress of events in the South will
probably throw increased light upon
all such questions; yet you insist that
/ shall give you my views, not for the
purpose of mutual assistance in ar
irving at solution Of difficulty, but
under notice that the votes of your
people will be determined for or
against me by my answer. ] think
that In so doing you wrong both your
selves and the members of the whole
political organization to which we
belong, and to which you gave pledge
of cordial CO. cooperation upon the plat
form as adopted, through your del
egates who were present at the oon-
vention.
For myself, have no secrets as
to my opinions, and have never hes
itated to declare them on proper oc-
casons. SO far have / been from
desiring to conceal them, that | had
sent, before the receipt of your let
ter, q private note to Professor Ellis,
Of your place, indicating my plan for
the final solution of the problem of
reconstruction, and seeking his crit
iclsms upon it. No restrictions were
placed upon him in making it known,
except such as his own isHretion and
friendship might impose. You are
misinformed as to my having re-
quested my views to be published at
my home or elsewhere. You must
act upon your own responsibility in
determining what publicity you shall
give to this. The Importance to our
country of determining rightly the
grave questions which must probably
be settled within the coming year, Is
too great to make me willing to omit
using whatever influence or informa-
ton l may have in assisting at the
solution. Whether IN public or in
private life, l shall freely give the
results of my experience and obser-
walton in the South during the war,
aud tho cOnrlu siOna to which NV