The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1868-06-11
LETTERS OF ACCEPTANCE
or the Nominees of the Union
Republican National
Convention.

ITeStuCHt NWtOHuC OHtOU ne
publican C0nrentiOn
In formally accepting the nomi-
nation of the National Union Re-
publican Convention of the 2lst
of May inst, it seems prop
or that some statement of my
Views beyond the mere acceptance
of the nomination should be ex.
pressed. --,,.,,..-. .,..-
The proceedings Of tho Conven.
tion were marked with wisdom,
moderation and patriotism, and, !
believe, express tho feelings of the
great mass Of those who sustained
the country through its trials, and
| endorse their resolutions. Ife.
lected 10 the Office OF President of
the United States. it will be my
cndeavor TO administer all the laws
in good faith, with economy, and
with the Wow Of giving peace,quiet
and protection everywhere. o
In times like the present it is
impossible to lay down q policy to
be adhered to, right or wrong,
through an administration of four
years. New political issues, not
forcseen, are constantly arising;
the views of the public on old ones
are constantly changing, and q
purely administrative officer should
always bo left free to execute the
will of the people. Ihavc always re.
spocte that will and always shall.
Peace and universal prosperity,
its sequence, with economy Of ad-
ministration will tighten the bur-
den oftaxation while it constantly
reduces the National debt. Let
us have peace.
With great respect your obcdi-
ent servant. ~ U. s. GRANT.
Speaker COlfax's Acceptance.
Tho following is the reply OF
Speaker Colfax to tho committee,
announcing his nomination by the
Chicago Convention
WASHINGTON, D. g., May 80, 1868.
To Gen. j. r. Hawley, President Of
tie National Union Republican
- Convention: N.' p li.3 Ilt.
Dear lSir-Thc platform adopted
by the Convention over which you
presided, and the resolutions which
SO happily supplement it, SO entire
ly agree with my views as to a
just national policy that my thanks
are due to the delegates as much
for this clear and auspicious do.
claration of principles as for the
nomination with which have been
honorcd and which l gratefully
accept.
When a great rebellion, which
imperiIcd the national existence,
was at last ovcrthrown, the duty,
of all others, devolving on those
entrusted with the responsibilities
of legislation evidently was to re-
quirc that tho revolted States
should be re.admitted to participa
ton in the Government against
which they erred, only on such q
basis as to increase and fortify, not
to weaken or cndanger, the
strength and power of the nation.
Certainly, no one ought to have
claimed that they should be ro-
admitted under such a rule as that
their organization as States could
ever again be used, at the opening
of the war, to defy the national au-
thority, or to destroy the national
unity. .M
This principle has been the pole
star of those who have iDfleXibly
insisted on tho Congressional poll
cy your convention so cordially
endorsed. Bafllcd by Executive
opposition, and by persistent re-
fusals TO accept any plan of recon
struction protfered by Congress,
justice and public safety at last
combined to teach us that only by
an enlargement OF suffrage in those
States could the desired end be at.
tained. and that it was even more
safe 10 give the ballot to those who
loved the Union than to those who
sought Intellectually to destroy it.
The assured success Of this lcgisla.
tion is being written on the ada
mant of history and will be our
triumphant vindication.
More clearly too than ever be-
fore does the nation recognize that
the greatest glory Of o Republic ia
that it throws the shield of its pro
lection over tho humblest and
weakest of its people, and vindi.
Gates the rights OF the poor and
powerless as faithfully as those Of
the rich and powerful. I vi
Irejoice in this connection tc
fnd in your platform the frank
and fearless avowal that natural
lied citizens must be protected a
broad at every hazard as though
they were native born.
Our whole people are foreigners
or descendants OF foreigners our
fathers established by arms their
right'to be called nation it re-
mains for US to establish the rigbl
to welcome to our shores all who
are willing to take the oath Of al
legiance to become American cIti
zens.h PfalT ohi b. a- .l- H.a1
Perpetual allegiance as claimed
abroad, is only another name fol
perpetual bondage, and woulc
make all slaves,to the soil where
first they saw the light. Our ma
tional cemeteries prove how faith
fully these oaths of6delity TO their
4 adopted land have been sealed in
u tho life blood of thousands upor
... .| d b D q H.