The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-06-02
Replies OF sho Nominees Of the Chi
Caxo Convention.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-The following
is General Grants reply to the nomlna-
tiOn of the Chicago Convention:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May %, lS6o.
To General Joseph II. Harley, President
Of the National Union Republican Con-
rentiOR:
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 nomination should be expressed.
The proceedings of the Convention
were marked with wisdom, moderation
and patriotism, and / believe express
the feelings of the great mass of those
who sustained the cOustry through its
trials.
endorse their resolutions. If elect
cd to the office 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 Civ
ing peace, quiet and protection every
where. In times like the present it is
impossible, or, at least, eminently
improper to lay down a policy to be adj
hered to, right or wrong, through
an administration of four years.
New political issues not foreseen
are constantly arising. The views of
the public on old ones are constantly
changing, and purely administrative
officer should always be left free to eX-
ecute the will of the people. l always
have respected that will and always
shall. Peace, and universal prosperity,
its sequence, with economy of admin
istration, will tighten the burden of tax
alton, while it constantly reduces the
national debt. Lot us have peace.
With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
l.. s. GRANT.
The following is the reply of Speaker
Colfax to the committee announcing his
nomination by the Chicago Conven-
ton:
WAsHISGToN, d. c., May 80, 1868.
Hon. j. X. HaUley, President Of the Ma
tioHal Union Republican COnreRtiOR:
DEAR SIR: The platform adopted by
the patriotic Convention ever which
you presided, and the resolutions which
so happily supplement it, so entirely
agree with my views, as to National
policy, that my thanks are due to the
delegates as much for this clear and
suspicious declaration of principles as
for the nomination with which | have
been honored aud which gratefully ac-
cept.
When great rebellion which imper-
illed the national existence was at last
overthrOwn, the duty of all others de
yolving on those entrusted with the
responsibility of legislation, evidently
was t. require that tho revolted States
should be readmitted TO participation in
the Governments against which they
had erred only on such a basis as to in
crease and fortify, not 10 weaken or
endauger the strength and power of the
nation. Certainly no one Ought to have
claimed that they should be- readmitted
under such rule 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 ma
tional unity. .
This principle has been the pole star
of those who have inhexibly insisted on
the Congressional policy your ConveH'
tion so cordially endorsed. Baffied by
Executive opposition and by persistent
refusals to accept any plan of recon
struction profered by Congress, justice
aud public safety at last combined to
teach Us that only by an enlargement
of suffrage in those States could the de-
sired end be attained, and that it was
even more safe 20 give up the ballot to
those who loved the Union than to
those who had sought Intellectually to
destroy it.. .....
Theassured success Of this legislation
10 being written ON the adamant Of his
tory, and will be our triumphant vim.
dication, more clearly, TOO, than ever