The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-08-18

Tue pnfutu VI thAthont Whhs " sNa@s"'y
reduces the national debt Let US have peace.
with great respect, your obedisnt servant,
U. s. CRAM
WASHINGTON May 30.
Hon. j. r. Harley, President Natiosdi
Union Republican CoHpsntion--DEAn Sin.
The platform adopted by the patriotic convsn-
tion over which you presided, and the resolu-
tions which so happily supplement- II, so en-
tirely agree with my views as to Just national
policy, that my thanks are due TO the dole
gates, rs much for this clear and auspicieus
declaration Of principles as for the nomination
with which I have been honorod, and which /
gratefully accept.
When great rebellion which imperiled the
national existence was at last overthrow,
the duty of all others devolving on those en-
trusted with the responsibilities Of legislation
evidently was to require that the revolted
States should be re.admitted to participation
in the Government against which they had
varred only on such basis as to increase and
fortify not to weaken or endanger tho strength
Of the nation.
Certainly no one ought to have claimed that
they should be re-admitted under such rule
that their organization as States could ever
sgsin be used, as ut the opening Of the war,
TO defy tho national authority. or to destroy
the national unity. This principle has been
the pole star Of those WHO have inie1ibly In.
sisted on the Congressional policy your con.
vention 50 cordially endorsed. Bafled BY Ex-
ecutive opposition, and by persistent refusals
to accept any plan Of reconstruction proferod
| by Congress, justice and public safety at last
combined to teach us that only by m enlarge.
ment Of suffrage In those States could the do
sired end DO attained, and that 1t vas even
more safe to give the ballot to those who loved
the Union than to those who had sought in
effectuaily to destroy It. The assured success
Of this legislation Is being written on the ada
mant Of history, and win be our triumphant
vindication. More clearly, too, than ever be-
foro does thew, on now recognize that the
greatest gloryo a republic is, that 1t throws
the shield Of its protection over the humblsst
and the weakest Of its people, and vindicates
the rights Of the poor and tho powerless as
faithfully Gs those Of the rich and the power.
ful.
| l rejoice, too, 10 this connection, 10 Cad In
your platform the frank and fearless avowal
that the naturaiiEed citizens must be protected
abroad 'at every hazard, as though they were
native born Our whole people ATE foreign.
ors or defendants Of foreigners. Our fathers
established by arms their right to be called a
nation. It remains for US to establish the right
to welcome to our shores all who are willing
| by oaths Of allegiance to become American
| citizens. Perpetual allegiance, as claimed
| abroad, is only another name for perpot ual
bondage, and would make all slaves to the soil
where frst they saw the light. Our national
cemeteries prove how faithfully these oaths Of
fidelity to their adopted land have been sealed
in the life-blood Of Thousands upon thousands.
Should We not then DO faithlcss to the dead il
we did not protect their living brethren in the
enjoyment Of that nationality, for which side
| by side with tho native born our soldiers Of
| "a 18th i,i thstr liyaa
It was fitting too, that the representatives
Of a party which had proved so true to nation
al duty in time Of war, should speak so clearly
| In time Of peace for the maintenance unfair
nished Of national honor, national credit, and
good faith as regards its debt, the cost Of our
national existence.
do not need to extend this reply by further
comment on a platform which has elected
such hearty approval throughout the land
The debt Of gratitude II Acknowledges to the
brave man who saved the Union from destruc
tion-the frank approval Of amnesty based OF
repentance and loyalty-the demand for the
most thorough economy and honesty in the
Government-the sympathy Of the party OIL
liberty with all throughout the world who long
for tho liberty We hore opjOy-and the recog'
milton Of the sublime principles Of he Decla
ration Of Independence. are worthy Of the
organization on whose banners they are to be
| written IN the coming contest
Its past record cannot be blotted out or for
gotten. If there had been no republican
party slavery would to-day cast its balofu
shadow over the Republic. II there had beeI
no Republican party, q free press and FREE
speech would be as unknown from the Poto
mac TO the Rio Grande as ten years ago. /
the Republican party could have been stricken
from existence when tho banner Of rebellion
was unfurled, and when thu response Of ''n'
coercion val heard At the North, We woul'
have had no nation to. day. Dat for the Re
publican party daring to risk the odium Of Ia;
and draft laws, our Gag could not have bee
kept flying on the field till the long.loOkod-fo
victory came. Without q Republican party
l the civil rights bill, the guarantee Of equalit
T under the law to the humble and the defence
less as we'll as to tho strong, would not be tt
day upon our ,tional statute-book.
: With such inspirations from tho past, an
7 following the example OF tho founders of tn
d. Republic, who called the victorious General {
E the Revolution to preside over the land hi
triuDphs had saved from Its enemies, canno
doubt that our labors will DO crowned wit
5 success. And It will be a success that wi
0 bring restored hope, confidence, prosperit,
5 and progress, South as well as North, West I
{ we'll as East, and above all, the blessings Vi
= der Providence Of national concord and peRc
: Very truly, yours,
e SCHUYLER CoLFAS.
. Republican National Committee.
Q The Republican National Committee held
- full business meeting in the city Of New Yor