The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-06-10

Va '''N Sh'N"SO NohNNh
tiOn.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 30, '6s.
Gen. Joseph R. Harley. Presitien,
National Union Republican Conren,
ton.
In formally accepting the nomina.
tion of the National Union Republican
Convention of the Dist of May, inst.
it seems proper that some statement ol
my views, beyond the mere acceptance
ofthe nomination, should be expressed
The proceedings of the convention were
marked with wisdom, moderation and
patriotism, and I believe express the
feelings of the great mass of those who
sustained the country through its trial,
| endorse their resolutions. Ifelected
to the office of President of the United
States, it will be my endeavor to ad-
minister all the laws in good faith,
with economy and with the view of
giving peace, quiet and protection
everywhere. In times like the present
it is impossible, or at least eminently
improper, to lay down a policy to be
adhered to right or wrong through an
administration of four years. Nsy
political issues, not foreseen, are con-
stantly arising, The views of the
public on old ones are constantly
changing, and a purely administrative
officer should always be left free to
execute the will of the people. |
always have respected that will, and
always shall. Peace and universal
prosperity, its sequence, with economy
of administration, will tighten the
burden of taxation, while it constantly
reduces the public debt. Let us have
peace.
With great respect, your obedient
servant. u. S. GRANT.
REPLY OF MR.. COLFAX.
Following is the reply of Speaker
Collax to the Committee announcing
his nomination by the Chicago Con-
vention:
WASHINGTON, d. c., May 80, 1868.
Hon. j. R. Hurley, President of the
National Union RepuJlican Conren-
hon:
DEAR SIR: The platform adopted
by thepatriotic Convention over which
you presided, and the resolutions which
so happily supplement it, so entirely
agree with my views as to a just nation
al policy that my thanks are due to the
delegates as much for this clear and
luspicious declaration of principles as
Tor the nomination with which [ have
been honored, and which | gratefully
accept. When a great rebellion which
the national existence was
ut last overthrown, the duty of all
others devolving on those entrusted
with the responsibilities of legislation,
evidently was to require that the revolt
ed States should be re-admitted in
The participation of the Government
against which they had erred only on
such basis as to increase and fortify,
not to weaken and endanger, the
strength and power of the nation.
Certainly no one ought to have claim
I'd that they should be re-admitted
lnder such rule, that their organiza-
ion as States could ever again be used
IS at the opening of the war, to defy |
he national authority or to destroy the
rational unity. This principle has
,een the pole star of those who have
nhexibly insisted on the Congressional
policy your Convention so cordially
endorsed. Bafled by Executive oppo-
ition and by persistent refusal 10
'ccept any plan Of reconstruction
'roflered by Congress, justice and
public safety at last combined to teach
is that only by an enlargement of
uffrage in those States could the de-
ired end be attained, and that it was
wen more safe to give the ballot to
hose who loved the Union than to those
Who had sought Intellectually to destroy
t. The assured success of this legis-
alton is being written on the adamant
# history and will be our triumphant
More clearly, too, than
ver before does the nation now recog-
lize that the greatest glory of a repub-
ic is that it throws the shield of its
protection over the humblest and
weakest of its people and vindicates
he rights of thepoor and thepowerless
S faithfully as those of the rich and
he powerful. l rejoice, too, in this
to find in your platform
he frank and fearless avowal that
laturalized citizens must be protected
broad at every hazard as though they
we're native born. Our whole people
re foreigners, ordescendants offoreign-
rs. Our fathers established by arms
heir right to be called nation. 1t
emains for us to establish the right
nd welcome to our shores all who are
Wiling by oaths ofallegiance to become
american citizens. Perpetual allie
lance, as claimed abroad, is only
mother name for perpetual bondage,
nd would make all slaves to the soil
there first they saw the light. Our
ational cemeteries prove how faith
ally these oaths Of fidelity to the
dopted land have been sealed in the
fe-blood ofthousandsupon thousands.
hould we not then be faithless to the
cad if we did not protect their living
rethren in the full enjoyment of that .
ationality for which side by side with
he native born, our soldiers offoreign
irth laid down their lives. lItwas
tting, too, that the representatives of
party which had proved so true to