Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-06-10
TEE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.
The following is Gen. Grants reply to
the nomination of the Chicago ConYen

The following is Gen. Grants reply to
the nomination of the Chicago ConYen
ton ::
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 20, 1868.
To Gen. Joseph e. Harley, President Of
tie NatioaaJ Union Republican Con-
venti0n -.--
In formally accepting the nomination
of the National Union Republican Con-
vention of the 21st of May, inst, it seems
proper that some statement.of my views,
beyond the mere acceptance Of the nomin--
alton, should be expressed. The pro-
ceedings 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 it's trials. [ endorse
their resolutions, and il elected to the Of
/ fee of president Of the United States, it
will be my endeavor to administer 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 imminently improper to lay down a
policy to be adhered to right or wrong
through an administration of four years.
New political issues not foreseen are con-
| stantly arising, the views of the public
| on old ones are constantly changing and
I u purely administrative officer should al
ways be, left free to execute the will of the
people. L always have respected that
will and always shall. Peace and univer-
sal prosperity, is sequence, economy of
administration will tighten the burden o f
taxation whilo 1t constantly reduces the,
national debt With great respect your
ohedient servant. u. S. GRANT. =
The following is the reply Of Speaker
Colfax to the committee announcing his
nomination:
WASHINGTON, D. G.. 81
May 80. 1868.
To the Hon. j. e. Haagzey, President of
the National Union Republicon Con-
vention:
DEAR Sir: The platform adopted by
the patriotic convention over which you
presided, and the resolutions which so
happily supplemented it, so entirely agree
with my views as to a just national poll
cy. that my thanks are due to the dele
gates as much for the clear and auspic-
ious declarations of principles as for the
nomination with which have been hon
ored, and which [ gratefully accept.
When a great rebellion which imperiled
the national existence was at last over
thrown the duty of all others devolving
on those entrusted with the responsible
| ties Of Legislation evidently was to require
that the revolted states should be read
mitted to participation in the government
against which they had erred only on
such basis as to increase and fortify, not
to weaken or endanger the strength and
power of the nation; certainly no one
ought to have claimed that they should
be re-admitted under such rules; that
their organization as states could ever
again be used as at the opening Of the
war, to defy the national authority or to
destroy the national unity. This princi-
pie has been the polar star of those who
have inhexibly insisted on the congress
ional policy your convention so cordially
endorsed, batfled by executive opposition,
and by the President refusing to accept
any plan Of reconstruction proffered 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 attained. and ,nat
it was even more safe TO Civ, tha hallot
to those who loved :, yne Union. than to
those "io h221I fought Intellectually to
uestroy 1t. The assured success Of this
I, Legislation is being written on the ada
ment of history, and will be our triumph
ant vindication. More clearly too than
ever before, does the country recognize
that the greatest glory Of a republic is
that it throws the shield Of its protection
over the humblest and weakest of its PEG
pie and Vindicates the rights of the poor
and the powerless as faithfully as those of
the rich and the powerful. | rejoice. too,
In this competition to find in your plat,
form the frank aud fearless avowal that
naturalized citizens must be protected
abroad at every hazard as though they
were native born. Our whole people are
foreigners or descendants of foreigners,
! and their fathers established by arms our
right to be called a nation. It remains
for us to establish the rights, and well
come to our shores all who are willing bv
oaths OF allegiance to become American
citizens. Perpetual allegiance as claimed
=. abroad is only another name for perpetual
bondage, and would make all slaves to the
soil where first they saw the light. Our
national cemeteries prove how faithfully