New-York tribune., 1868-10-20
THE PRESIDENTIAL ISSUE
A BUSINESS MANS REASONS WHY BUSl-
NESS MEN SHOULD VOTE FOR GRANT
AND COLFAX.

busuess men and merchanfs--was held nc the
National Club House last evening to hear an ad-
dress from the Hon. Elliot c. Cowdn upon "Ihe
Presidential Issuc. Its effect upon the business ano
prosperity of the Country" Mr. Cowdn made tue
following speech:
SPEECH OF AIR. COwDTN
Mr. president AND GENTLEMEN: am not iDscDsibie
OF the honor you have done by inviting to address
you OIL the Issues Of the canvass but. merchant
purpose confne myself TO topics relating directly TO
the Presidential ISSUE and ito effect upon the business
and prosperity OF the country iD this campaign We are
settling the policy OF our country not only for tho next
four years but doubtless for indefinite period
ing beyond. As patriots then. who would so aetas
promote the growth and grandeur OF the Republic ara
maintain Its integrity and stability 1t becomes us 10 nkr
heed what course pursue. Happily the glorious results
the late and the adopted for the reeon-
structon Of the nsurgent States have relieved u.s. and we
trust poserity ALSO from many troublesome quest IONS
that Of vexation and alarm at every Pres
Dental contest for 80 years previous 10 the heDeoh
Negro Slavery dead beyond the hope of resurrection
and the civil riShs OF all classes OF our
population fxed IN the organic law
Tho union Of the States terribly shattered by Oh" OF the
greatest conyusons in all history is restored and now
rests basis that be shaken The CoDtitntcn
has been vndeated IN its original integrity; aud has
received new vigor from amendments that not only
render all its provisions homogeneous bat have brought
It into harmony with the Declaration that prooams yhe
civil equality Of all men, With the Constitutional Amend
ment AlNth Article, all famllar Two
seriously sssaed by large portions the
Democratic party and 70 get rid Of these they
soon as they obtain the power TO disregard the
entire article. They first that provision which eond
tionay prevents the holding Of certain important ofecs
by such the insurgents previous TO the Rebellion
ad taken oath support the Federal Constitution
| aud subsequently committed treason by atempnngn
overthrow the Union: and secondly that other provision
which indirectly regulates tie right OF suffrage by pre-
scrblng o new basis Of representation IN the Lower
House Of Congress and consequently In the PRESIDENTIAL
Electoral College. The penalties Affixed 10 the ermo Oh
treason by every Government are among tie h'ghest
known laws In European nations they have ever
been of the most sangulnary naturedeath under tho
most iaDomnious and attander OF Dooo
In our own country these penalties have felt the anne
norating touch Of liberal CIVILIZATION; yet even
here death may be inflicted The history OF the world
affords no parallel TO the magDaDiinity OF the terns VI
reconstruction rendered TO those who by our eiv war,
cut of untimely nearly half million Of our sons and
brothers and destroyed thousands Of millions OF prop
erty entang poverty and ruin on onehaf the unioh'
and piled up public debt that imposes on every citizen
OF the Republic heavy weight Of taxationand all IN the
attempt to overthrow the most beneeent G0vernment
that yer existed earth In punishment OF this greas
crime not drop blood has been shed; scarcely one
feon has been temporarily imprisoned, ana ony
trihng amount Of property has been eonnseated tne
mass Of Rebels enjoy TO the fu every ghs ney
forfeited while a few-a very fewOf the leaders who
| from holding positions wherein they might again Do
temped TO violate their official oats; ard even from this
paltry penaty-patry In Of the crime-they may Do
relieved as thousands OF them already have beeD bys
| two-thrds vote of Congress To call this pun
| ishmept OF treason, and such treason Is re
| dcuous misnomer; and yet this unprecedented
forbearance unappreciaed by these men, some Oh The
ost guilty OF whom threaten 10 kiDdle anew the ames
OF civil war; that they may set aside this mia provision
Of the amended Constitution But h VIII s'ahd' anu
these deuded will yet learn that 1t wiser 10 aeeep'
forgiveness on the offered than TO provoke the IN
nctjsn Of punishment commensurate With their crimes
This article further provides that II any State shall dc
prye any of its citizens OF the right OF shfageas
for example Of their colorhat State sba not
be allowed count that class n estimating me humDer
Of REPRESENTATIVES IN Congress 10 which shall be ent
tied In word 1t declares that II the South regards
nortiou of its citizens M 10 WELD the ballot IL snail
not Use their numbers an element OF potlcal
power against State which treats them - competent 70
vote The Democratic party at the South wonld deny
the male OF aOOOOO VI their citizens the right :"
vote but would ses @ % amS
to the weight OF that section OF the Union
summary. II this class OF your ciiizens ought 70 Do
counted element Of political strength ought to
tent be enumerated IL is competent 10 Vote Il.
have IN ~ Sn ss
always regarded by the free states as sectional grey
had the right 70 count Of their slaves 10 deter
mining tho Of their Representatives ~ Congress
s%Sm,ted 10 because so nominated in the bond Bat
now after slavery destroyed the South demand to he
which they then occupied. by Insisting that the whites
shall practically cast their votes for the whole or IN
other words for hyehs Of their colored population,
instead OF but threefths before thus intending that
the abolition Of Slavery shall innrc largely to Geir
arr"aant demand will not be conceded This provision
OF the Constitution VIII stand AS the supreme law IN
spe of the maledicOns OF dsunionlsts tile South,
their alice 4. the North II the INN q See Congress
condition Of their restoration to the Union P3Isa,
ant to the evil councils Of the leaders In the Rebellion
| IL.
threw Il back the face Of Congress and the people OF
the North The elections Of that year trumphanty sns
the xXxXh GUnsss rG and md hsen;pop ID the
lite revised plan OF reconstruction was prof
CURED as condition precedent to their complete resora-
ton tho Union. to ratify thus XVIII article. and TO
frage equally upon log al whites and blacks This plau
has been fully accepted by seven OF the ten late Rebel
remaining three. To this entire scheme the Democratic
party declared its mpacabe hostility pronounene
u"yern,nsnis thsse srs erected under them. to be
"usurpations. and unconstitutional, revolutionary,
the uterances Of its Southern leaders, has avowed It's
purpose overthrow these Governments, deprive the
carry its hostility point OF precptating the
try into another civil war In :he face Of such declara
tons the question at issue is not whether this plan OF
construction is the best that could have been devised,
whether the loyal blacks are entitled 10 the ballot
shall be sustained and the Union maintained against the
Vaccinations and assaults of traitors who owe 10 the for
they now mathematics laws and threaten ts exist
ence. But TINS provision OF the reconstruction scheme
pie aud will be maintained by Democratic people, even
though t DO repudated by party that has preserved
n0'ni's OIL peTacy s!s EsS SaSe.s es .s Goi f !. Ga
10 doubt soaid be di.oy.i,y.
70 faiier wouli be sia.' IChesn1
These gentlemen who threaten 10 erthrow the recon
Seymour Is not going TO be elected.
powerful influences that will contrbute TO his defeat
rh.Qa