The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-07-20
WASHINGTON. Monday. July 13 1868

OA-41SSAA-AAAS
WASHINGTON, Monday, July 13, 1868.
0. II. Ostrander, Esq, Danuale, Penn:
DEAR SIR am in receipt ofyour letter fthe
10Th instant, in which, speaking for your
self and number of other Conservative
Republicans Of your tow, you express
"sense Of disappointment and regret
that no better names had been offered
by the Democratic party to lead the con-
victory, and the Radical Republican party to
deserving and merited defeat. AS q gentle
man and statesman Mr.. Seymour holds our
respect, but as peace Democrat we are in
disposed to vote for him." and You are pleased
to say that if my name, among others, had
been placed Mt the head of the ticket, ''all
would have gone well, and victory would
upon the situation and prospects Of q third
party"
l thank you for the confidence thus reposed
in me, and shall not shrink from the RESPONSE
bility OF stating frankly my opinion.
do not think the organization OF any third
party is wise, or can work any practical good 10
the great cause IN which we are engaged. In
pies are at stake, there are, and there can be,
but two effective political parties. "He that is
not for me, is against me" in politics as well
as in religion, is a truth upon which every wise
man is compelled to act
What, then, is that great and paramount
issue? What is the great and objectionable
wrong for which the Rldica! party is now az
raigned and should be oyerthrown?
1t is substantially this: In violation Of the
constitutional violation of pledges made and
often repeated. from the first battle OF Bull Run
to the end OF the war: pledges to the North to
get men and money; pledges especially made
to tho Democracy TO get their support in the
field and in the elections; pledges made to the
South to induce them to lay down their arms
and to renew their allegiance; and pledges to
foreign powers to prevent lntervention-in vio-
lation OF oil these solemn pledges, upon which
we invoked the blessings of Almighty Col upon
our cause, and by which alone we gained
strength TO master the rebellion-in violation
of the natural and inalienable right OF the civil
lized men of every State to govern themselves;
and in violation of the clear provisions Of the
constitution which leaves to each State for
itself the right to regulate suffrage, this party
Las, without tl1al, by ex post facto laws, dis
franchised hundreds Of thousands Of the most
intelligent OF their citizens, and has forced
upon ten States and six millions Of our own
Anglo-Saxon race the universal and unqualified
suffrage Of seven hundred thousand ignorant,
and, in the main, halt-civilzel negroes.
ThiSis the great wrong for which that party
is arrtl lgned at the bar of public judgment,
and ior which 1t should be oyerthrown.
To consummate that great wrong, they have
abolished ell civil government and civil liberty
even In these ten States; they have established
five military despotisms, wherein oil rights
TO life, liberty and property are subject to
the will of one man; they have kept the Union
Of industry; they have kept down the credit of
the government during three years Of peace,
to q oint so low that>. TO the shame of every
American, the six per cent. bonds OF the United
States sell for only IS in gold. while the bonds
of Brazil, bearing only four per cent. interest,
bring over 80 in gold. They have encroached
upon. the just rights Of the Executive; they
have threatened the independence Of the Su-
preme Court; they have unjustly, anu without
cause, impeached and put uLUn trial the Presi-
dent himself, and, by every species OF denun-
ciation and even by threats OF ASSASSINATION,
bave endeavored to force the Senate to convict
Linn, in order to place in the Executive chair
one who will use all its power to consunmpte
that gigantic wrong against the constitution,
against our plishted faith, against civilization,
and against our own race and kindred.
The Convention in New York met for the
purpose Of organizing to overthrow the party
in power for this great wrong, and to restore
the Union and tue Constitution, and the rights
OF the States and Of all the States under it.
Now, do not say the no ninations made at
New York arc tho very best that could have
DeeQ maGO lOr luuU purpose luc ciciiioutS W
be organized into victorious army were four
fold. Touse military figure, there were four
army corps to be organized into our grand
army first, tho great Democratic Corp;
second, the War Democratic Corps; third, the
Conservative Republican Corps; fourth, the
Civilized Southern Corps. The first, or Demo-
cratic Corps, was fully organized, with ranks
well filed, but not in sufficient numbers to
secure the victory. There was the War
n,,,oor,@;o Nn,,,o which aunpf rtpd Tin
coin in 1864, but which, in consequence Of
the great wrong above mentioned, was ready
to sover itse.f tom the Radical army
under General Grant; and there was the
Conservative Republican Corps, Of which you
are pleased to speak OF me as leader, who,
for the same reasons, were ready to join the
grand army, and do oil in their power TO bring
success to our cause The two last are the re-
crultins CORPS. They hold the balance of pow
er. As matter OF policy, had the first Office
been given to chiet of the one or ct the other,
it would have made our victory moro easy, #
not more certain.
Everybody knows that the result of this con-
test IS to depend upon the important question,
whether We shall be able to recruit those two
corps in sufficient mum .ers, and carry Them to
the hearty support Of Mr. Seymour. II we can,
victory is with us. If we cannot, victory is
against us. In my judgment, it is our duty to
do so. Th, very life Of the constitution IS in
volyed, and with it, the rights of the States,
and the liberties of the people.
I cannot hesitate for one moment; my ludg-
ment is for it; my whole heart is in it. So far
rom relaxing, we should redouble our efforts.
Bear in mind that tho war was ended three
years ago, when new ere was opened IN pollti-
cal afflira; that Mr.. seymour ls man OF high
character, Of unquestloned patriotism, of great
ability and experience, wholly with US upon the
living and paramount issue, and that If elected
he will make most able and dignified Pres-
dent; and certainly no Pennsylvania will for
get that, but for his prompness and energy
in forwarding the forces OF New York to
Gottvsburg, that great battle might have been
lost and Pennsylvania o7errun; whilo IN Gen.
Dlair we hayo q civilian and soldier whose
promplness and indomitable resolution seized
Camb Jackson, and saved Missouri erom seces-
sion, who always stood among the foremost ol
the War Republicans, in council and i'll the field,
While tho war lasted: and, when it was over,
was among the first to demand that for Which
the var Was prosccuted-the Union Of tho
Statos under the constitution with their rights,
equality and dignity ulllnpaired.
Let us unite for y vicioryl Let us have peace
a peace which comes not from Il yioiated'co
stilu.lon and the despotism OF the sword, but
peace which comes iron? restored Union and
the supremacy OF constitutional Law, by Which
alone liberty is secured.
&c ;pacfuly yours,
J. Il. DOOLITTLE.
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