Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-05-23

ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL UNION COMMITTEE.


TO the REPUBLICANS of the linton
The National Union Committee appeals
to the Republicans of the country for their
assistance and cooperation In this auspici-
Gus crisis of our country.
We deem it of the highest importance
that the Republicans of every State should
Immediately reorganize for the coming Presi-
dental contest. Especially should this or
ganization be Immediately effected in those
States which have never before recognized
as the only just basis of government the
equal and inalienable rights Of man. Not a
day should be lost in forming and strength
ening within those States a public sentiment
in consonance with the principles which I'M
derlie the great political organization to
which we belong.
To this end we desire to prosecute syste-
matte and thorough canvass of the Southern
States, by the most efficient speakers of both
races We would second their efforts by a
distribution of documents, enforcing the
principles, policy, and aims of the Republic
can party. Wewould call, in every locality
where it is possible, meetings for discussion,
where those who are with us in principle
may learn to act with unity and energy
These measures are required to bring out
the vote of the large body of Republican
Unionists who now render the Southern
States battlefield of principles. 1t is the
pressing need of the hour that bold, judici-
Gus, and able men, thoroughly imbued with
our creed, should there explain our princi-
Piles, establish our faithfulness to them, and
prove that national greatness and human
freedom depend upon the permanent triumph
of our cause,
Beyond this 1t is most essential that we
should now establish in these States, Free
Thought, Free Speech, and Free Press
Every part of this Republic must be open to
the discussion OF principles and measures.
This must be sustained as cardinal point
| in our creed, at all and every hazard. Ell
forts to intimidate the humble and ignorant
voter on the part of the Southern planter,
must be met with the spirit of freemen, and
the determination which just cause sane
tons.
In times past the Republican party has
struggled against the unjust reproach Of be-
ing sectional in its aims and character though
its purposes and the means Of etfecting them
were such as the fathers of the Republic APP
| proved. 1t was accused of being governed
| by selfish motives, and of desiring to ag-
grandize the North at the expense Of the
South. Its adversarics having the power to
silence and to crush all opposition, denied
all discussion, and overawed even freedom
of thought in fifteen States of the Union
| 1t is, therefore, now an imperative duty which
we owe to our party and to ourselves, to en-
| brace the first opportunity of truly represent
ing to those States how consistently we have
commended for the interests, welfare, and
freedom of the whole Union.
| The overthrow Of slavery and the rebel
lion, and the Acknowledgement Of the freed
men, rendering this overthrow secure and
final, has happily indicated our cause an d
organization, but it is necessary to stamp
the conviction of our loyalty and fidelity ia
the right, irrespective of section or race,
upon the reconstructed States. For the
| first time in many years the enthusiastic fol-
lowers of our flag, and confessors of our
| faith, are there taking part in the popular
| gatherings, and in many of the Southern
States, we have reason to believe that they
| form decided majority. They are, how
ever, without organization, and lack the co
hesion and discipline necessary to success
Three-fourths Of its members have neyel
voted, and have no political knowledge o
| the means whereby the popular will is eX
pressed. With many of them the habit il
fixed, of rendering implicit obedience to abb,
and dexterous politicians, who are implaca
bly, hostile to our principles, and determined
on the prosIration of our cause.
Our immediate action is therefore impera
tive. We cannot delay without imperillinl
all for which SO much has been sacrificed i
the past Confident in our strength in tn
North, and West, and Pacific States, W
must not forget that we have great duty
perform towards the loyal and true men {
the South.
| Dannb1;oapu Dur anpaat 10 % ,,n,,
carry on and sustain the work which fe'
loyal and true men have so nobly begui
We cannot ask speakers, in addition to gil
ing their time and talents for months TO tn
labor, to defray their own necessary expel
SEES. We cannot print and distribute doc,
ments of the character required without
heavy outlay. We have no means of r
lance except upon the generous spirit
that great party which holds the claims
humanity and freedom above all price. I'll
/ patronage OF the Government, brought in
power by the craftsmanship, the courag
: and the loyalty OF tina. party, will not aid
a in this good work.
q We must therefore appeal directly al
personally to you. If you are rich 81
generously II poor send to us whatey
you can afford The generous purpose al
$ the noble aim sanctify the humbest effort
d At all events act promptly, and let us f
10 that the sympathy OF the Republican par
], is with us in our purpose OF making II
20 great land the home of true Republic
:. principles, where distinctions OF race a
= color are unknown, and where Liber
TO Virtue and Intelligence form the cndurl
es basis Of our greatness and prosperity.
ur Address letters and contributions to G,
c! Marcus L. Ward, Chairman and Treasur
ur Newark, N. ].
r. MARCUS l.. WARD, N. ].
DIS SAMUEL A. PuRyIANcE, Pa.
A. WILLIAM CLAfIIN, Mass.
"a JoHY b. CLARK, N. II.
nu HORACE GREELEY, N. Y.
II. ii. STARKwEATHER, Conr
Il N. b. SMITnERs, Del.
ne II, w, HOFFMAN, Md.
le' Executive Committee of the National I'm
re Committee.
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