Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-06-12
l.. ) GRANT.
AccrPrANCR or Mn CoLFax.


ACCEPTANCE or Mn CoLFAx
Washington, Nay 30. 1868 Hon. j. r.
Harley President Of the National Uaion
Republican Comreniioa, Dear Sir-The plat.
form adopted by the patriotic Convention
over which you presided. and the resolu-
tions which so happily supplement it. so
entirely agree with my views as to a Just
national policy that my thanks are due to
the delegates as much Tor the clear and aus
picious declaration OF principles a. for the
nomination with which | have been honor
ed. and which | gratefully accept.
When great rebellion which impcriled
The national existence was at last over.
thrown, the duty OF all oIhers dcy0lving on
those entrusted with the responsibilities ol
legislation evidently was. to require that
the revolted States should he re-admitted
to participation in the government against
which they had erred, onl, on such a basis
as to increase and ior,iiy, not TO weaken
and endanger the power and strength of The
nation. Certainly no one ought to have
claimed that they should be re- admitted un-
der such rule that their organization as
States could ever be used rs al the opening
OF the war. TO defy the national unity. This
principle has been the pole star OF those
who have inhexibly insisted on the Con.
gressional policy, your Convention so cor
daily endorsed.
Baflled by Executive opposition and by
persistent refusals TO accept any plan of re-
construction, justice and public safety at
last combined to saw that only, by an en-
largemeni of suffrage in the States. could
the desired end be attained and that il was
even more safe to give the ballot to those
who loved the Union than those who had
fought Intellectually 10 destroy It, The as
surel success OF this legislation is being
sritten on the adamant OF history. and will
be our triumphant vindication more clearly
than ever before done. Tie nation now
recognizes that the greatest glory OF re-
public is, that it throws the ,hield Of its
Of il. people, and vindicaics the rights Of
the poor and powerless, as faithfully a.
those OF The rich and powerful
/ rejoice, too, in this connection. 20 End
in your platform the frank and fearless
avowal that lbc rights of na,uralized ciii
zens must be protected abroad, At every
hazard, as though they were native born.
Our whole people are foreigners or de-
srcndants Of foreigners. DOR fathers es.
tablished by arms their right to be called a
nation IL remains for US TO establish the
right to welcome 10 our shores all who are
willing. 10y oath. Of allegiance, to become
American citizens Perpetual allegiance,
as claimed abrold Is only another name
for perpetual bondage. and would make all
slaves to the soil where FIRST they saw the
light. Oar national cemeteries prove how
faithfully the oaths Of fidelity to their adopt.
ed land have been sealed, in the life blood
Of thousand. upon thousands.
Should we not then be flith,css 10 the
dead il we did not protect their living
brethren in the full enjoyment Of that na
iionalily for which, side by side with the
native born, our soldiers Of foreign birth
aid down their lIves2 II was citing. TOO,
that the representatives Of "a party which had
proved 80 true to national duty in time ol
war should speak so clearly IN time Of peace
for the maintenance. untaruishcd. OF the
national honor. national credit and good
lai'h as regard, its debt, the cost Of on ma
,ionaI existence. | do not need 10 extend
this reply by further comment on a plat.