Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-07

To the National Convention;
We are Instructed by the unanimou,
vote -of this Convention OF Union sol
diers and sailors, now in session a
Cooper Institute, 10 return TO You oul
thanks for extending TO us the privileges
on the door Of your Convention, The
objects for which we are assembled, ar'
clearly set forth in the address OF ouI
presiding officer. Our Convention II
composed oftwo thousandmembers, elect
cd from every State and territory OF the
Union, who have served in the Union
army or navy, every one OF whom be-
lieves that in co operating at this time
with the conservative party OF the coun'
try, he is still engaged in the same cause
for which he risked his life during the
war, viz: TO preserue the Union aud
maintain the supremacy OF the Constitu-
ton. We believe that the crimes now
being perpetrated in the name OF the
Republc are not less alarming than
those committed by armed foes Of the
Government during the war. The party
now in power have destroyed equality Of
the States, and forced the Southern
States TO submit TO have their constitu-
tons and laws framed by ignorant ne
groes, Just released from slavery. while
at the North it has denied the negro the
right Of suffrage, although comparatively
educated and attempted to influence the
highest tribunal Of the land, by calling
meetings of excited partisans to condemn
all members Of the court who might re-
fuse to act in accordance with their
declaration, while all the leading jour
nalists Of the party since the close OF the
impeachment trial have denounced and
villilied in unmeasured terms, going so
far in some instances as to threaten per-
sonal violence, and for no other reason
than that they we're unwilling to perjure
themselves at the behest of their party.
II has freely removed political disabili-
ties from men of the South who, before
and during the war, were the most vio-
lent and malignant rebels, but have since
become the sycopbants Of the party in
mower; while it persccutes those in the
same localities who have always been
true to the Union, but are unwilling to be
ruled by their recently emanclpated
slaves. AT the North it has. denied Off :
cial positions to hundreds OF veterans OF
the war, most Of whom are disabled by
wounds received in battle, while it has
hoisted into place partizans Of its
own, having no claims on the Govern
ment, many Of whom, fortunately for the
country have, during the past few
months, become inmates of peniten-
tiaries. 1t has placed the General Of the
armies beyond the control of the Presi-
dent of the United States, to whom the
Constitution makes him subordinate. 1t
has nominated him for President, and
the events of the last four months indi-
cate that, by the use of the army under
his supreme control, there is determi-
nation to cause the electoral votes OF the
Southern States to be cast for himself
through force and fraud We solemniy
declare our convictions that the free in.
situations Of the cou .try have never been
in greater jeopardy than at this time, and
that we look to the deliberations of the
Democratic party, now in council as
sembled, with the deepest anxiety, feel
ing that on its action depends the future
prosperity of ourcountry. We earnestly
trust and believe that no deviation or adj
herence to past issues will be permitted
to endanger the success of the great
party to which the country now looks
with anxious eye for permanent peace
and the perpetuity, of our institutions.
We believe that there are living a half
million of men who stand in the Union
army and navy who are in sympathy
and in my judgment opposed to the
acts of the party in power, and
at. least another half million who have
heretofore acted with the Radical party,
but who, reviewing with alarm the recent
acts Of the party, are now anxious for a
change of ADMINISTRATION With plat
form of principles reviying no dead
issues, and looking only to the arrest of
existing evils; and with candidates
whose fidelity to the Constitution and
devotion to the country cannot be lues-
toned, we shall cooperate with you in
this campaign with an enthusiasm and
confidence that will bring victory and
salvation to the country"
At the CONCLUSION Of this address, three
cheers were given for the soldiers and
sailors, and a call was made for Thomas
Ewing, IT,, of Ohio, who was introduced
to the Convention and greeted with great
applause. He made strong speech.
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