Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-21
Morning pispatsAsa


Governor Ward. Chairman of,he Ma
tional Republican Committee, called ,h'
Convention to order in brief address
The delegates were here TO take no stel
backward, to demonstrate that the wa
was no failure. An emancipated race
lifted from slavery, to-day uni,es will
Republican liberty. Neither armed trea
son nor political treachery can arres
the triumph Of our cause Your leader
the great captain Of the age, the nation
will greet az the precursor OF victory Il
cur cause, and peace TO the republic
| Applause
Prayer BY Bishop Simpson. /.
On motion Ex-Governor Ward, Genera
Carl Shura was made temporary chair
man, and conducted TO the chair amid
applause
General Shurs delivered brief ad-
dress. in which he returned thanks,
sketched the history Of the Radical
party, asserted its triumph in support OF
liberty, union, humanity aud equal
rights. The problem Of the future, he
said. is TO secure the fruits OF the past,
aud adapt the country TO the new order
OF things This requires the greatest
prudence and hrmness. Referring TO
Mr.. Lincoln, he said We measure our
loss through his death by what be LEFT
behind him. Laughter aud applause
He oounselled moral courage. Victory
will be true to the Republican party so
long as the party is true to itself. Let
no passion carry us beyond the bounds
Of wisdom and self respect Applause.
He counselled wisdom. justice to the
soldier, to Southern Union men, TO the
colored race, aud TO national creditors.
This sentiment excited great enthusiasm.
Let us be just, be said, inside of the
party as well as out of II.
A committee of one from each State
was appointed as Committee on Gre
dentials.
A debate arose on the call OF Califor-
MIA, it being announced that there was a
double delegation from that State Sears,
of California, bitterly denounced the con-
testsnts who dispute the seats of his del
ega,ion. BE demanded admission with
ont question, and hoped the convention
would not dignity the opposition by adj
hitting that there is a contest The
whole subject was referred to the Com
mittee on Credentials.
The Secretary proceeded with the call
of the States, but omitted those not rep
resented in Congress. This gave rise to
a debate, terminating in a motion that
all the Southern States be called, which
was agreed 10. ~
A motion to admit Colorado was made
and carried.
Efforts we're made to admit Montana
aud other territories, but the subject was
referred to the Credential Committee.
Mr.. Cochrane, Of New York, moved
the adoption of permanent rules for the
government of the Convention, and that
the rules.ofthe House of Representatives
of the United States be the rules for its
temporary government, so far as appli-
cable. Agreed to.
A Committee of one from each State
was then appointed on Permanent Or
gsnization.
A Committee on Resolutions was next
appointed.
Egan, of Kentucky, offered a resoln-
tior, which was adopted, that all resolu-
dOus Oucltu OCOStC
10 the Committee on Resolutions.
On motion of Mcclure, the roll for the
Committee on Order of Business was
called, AID resulted: Alabama, George
N. REYNOLDS; Arkansas, 81. II. Godsell;
Georgia, Dave G.. Cofiug; Mississippi,
D. N. Williams; Tennessee, B. Lewis,
etc, etc.
On motion Of General SickIes, the
Convention then took recess till FIVE
O'Clock.
EvESTyG.-The Convention resssem
blei st FIVE clock.
The Committee on Credentials not
being ready 10 report, Hamilton Harris,
chairman Of the Committee on Perms-
neat OrgsnizAtion, reported the name of
James r. HsElsy, Of the committee, for
psrnanent President Of the Convention.
This ANNOUNCEMENT was received with
tremendous applause
The President was conducted to the |
chair By ex-C0ngressmsn Solomon, of
Wisconsin, aud Joe Brown, of Georgia,
AMID great cheering for Hswley, Brown |
sni Solomon
HaEIsy addressed the Convention as
follow:
Geats Of tie Convention, tender you
ny nost grateful thanks for the high |
honor conferred Deeply impressed with |
the responsibilities Of the posi- ton, / |
earnestly soIieit your indulgence and aid.
We have cone together with the momen-
teas duty Of selecting chief ruler Of
nation which lesdsthe world in the pro.
motion Of freedom and equal rights.
( Applause Indications of your pur-
poses and spirit already given assure me
you viii maintain the noble character of
the Republican party We remember at
this time the Convention of 1869, with it's
profo7Bd snxieties and gloomy devotion
70 liberty, and its enthusiastic acceptance
Of wager of battle rendered by slavery
and secession. CApplause 1t now seems
clear to US that God ruled our counsels.
He made our declaration Of principles |
manly and sincere. He gave Us
a Lincoln for a President Tremend-
Gus yells- God send Us like wisdom to-
day. he tested US 10 manner and to
an extent which the liTeliest Imagination
could not have anticipated. Posterity, |
we hope, will decide that we met that
test with spirit worthy of free people. |
Countless treasure was expended, and
three hundred thousand lives were sac
ri6ced for liberty and equality. We not
only offered our lives and property, but,
more than all, laid our pref udices Of race
aud class upon the altar Of our country.
Success redoubled our nerve, and the |
same high resolves rule to-day, and
honest men of this country are now
even making much greater sacrifices
We learned our FIRST lesson when
we found we must make all men free
and call them to b.ttle fields We
learned second when We found We must |