The New York herald., 1868-06-02
THE PRESIDENCY.
Letters Of Acceptance from General Grant
and Mr.. Colfaz.


Letters Of Acceptance from General Grant
and Mr.. Colfaz.
General Grants Formal Letter of Accept
WASHINGTON, June l. 1868.
The following is General Grants reply to the
nomination OF the Chicago Convention.
WASHINGTON, d. c. May 90 1868.
To General JOSEPH r. HAwLEY, President National
Union Republican Convention
In formally accepting the nomination of the
National Unton Republican Convention of the 2lst
OF May INST. it seems proper that some statement
OF views beyond the mere acceptance Of the nOmna-
ton should be expressed. The proceedings OF the
Convention were marked with wisdom, moderation
and patriotism. and 1 believe express the feelings
Of the great Of those who sustained the country
throughout its recent trials. l endorse their reso-
utiOns. II elected to the office OF President
OF the United States 1t will be my endeavor
to administer all the laws in good
faith, with economy and the view of giving
peace, quiet and protection everywhere. In times
like the present it is impossible, at least emil
nently improper to lay down policy to be adhered
to-, right or wrong, through an administration of
four years. New political issues, not foreseen
constantly arising, the views OF the public on old
ones are constantly changing and purely admins
trative officer should always be left free to execute
theswi Of the people always have respected that
Will, and always shall. Peace and universal pros
perity-ts sequence-wth economy of administra-
tion will Tighten the burden of taxation, while it
constantly reduces the national debt. Let us have
peace.
With great respect, your obeaient servant,
U. S. GRANT.
MIR. COifnx's Letter Of Acceptance.
The following is the reply of Speaker Colax to
the committee announcing his nomination by the
Chicago COnventOn-
WASHINGTON, d. c., May So 1868.
Hon. ]. r. EAwIEY, President OF the National
Union Republican COnventlon:-
DEAR o.R-ihe platform adopted by the patriotic
Convention over which you presided and the resolu
tions we.ch SO happily supp ement it, so entirely
tat thanks due to the dele rates as much for
ts Gear a0d auspicous declaration OF principles as
for the nouInation win which have been honored
and VIII Oh gratefully accept When a great rebel
lion which uoerled the national existence, at
last overthrown the duty of all others devoving
on evidently was to require that the revOteu States
should be readmitted TO participation in the govern
ment against which they nad erred only on such
basis increase anil fortify to weaken or en-
danger, the strength ana power Of the nation. Ger
tany no one ought to have claimed that they should
be readniitted under such rule tnat their organza
ton States could again be used as at the
opening Of the war, to defy the national authority
TO destroy the national unity. This principle has been
The pole star OF those who have nnexibly insisted
on the Congressional policy your Convention so cor
daily en- Orsed. Baued by Executive opposition
ana by persisant refusals to accept any plan Of re-
construction profered by Congress, justice and
pubic safety at last, combined to teach mat only
by an enlargement OF suffrage In those States could
he desired end be attained, and that it was even
more safe 10 give the ballot to those who loved the
Union tlan those who had sougl Intellectually to
destroy 1t. The assured success OF this legislation Is
being written on the adamant vf history
and will be our triumphant vindicaton. More
clearly, TOO, than ever before does the nation now
recognize that the greatest glory OF republic is
1t throws the slielu OF protection over The hunblest
and weakest OF its people, and vindicates the rights
OF the poor and the poweress as faithfully those
OF the rich and The powerful? rejoice TOO, in this
connection to nnd in your platform the frank and
fearless avOwal that natGlalized citizens must be
protected abroad at every hazard, as though they
were native born. Our whole people are foreigners
or descendants OF loregners our fathers established
by arms their right 10 be called nation.
It remains Tor us to establish the right to
welcome to cur shores all who wiling by
oaihs OF allegiance to become American citizens
Perpetual allegiance, as claimed abroad, ia only
anolher name for perpetual bondage, and would make
all slaves TO the sol where first they the light.
our national cemeteries prove how faithfully these
oatnS OF ildelty tn their adopted land have been
seacd in the hieblooL OF thousands upon thousands.
should we not, then, be faihess TO the dead IL
dd not protec: their living brethren In the full en-
Joyment OF that nationality for which, side by side
with the native born, soldiers of foreign birth
lald down their livesr II was fitting, too, that the
representatives OF party which had proved SO true
clearly la time Of peace for the main tenance untar-
nlshed OF the national honor, national credit and
good faith re Yards It's debt the cost of our national
existence do need to extend this reply by further
comment on platform which has elicled such
hearty approval throughout the land. The debt OF
gratitude it acknowledges to the brave men who
saved the Union from destruction, the frank ap-
prOval or amnesty based repentance and loyalty,
the demand Tor the most thorough economy and
honesty IN the government, The sympathy Of the
parry OF liberty with all throughout the world who
long Tor Tie liberty we here enjoy and the recognition
OF the sublime principles OF the Declaration OF ndc-
pendence are worthy OF the organization whose
banners they are to be written in the coming
contest. Its past record cannot be blotted out or
forgotten. If there had been no republican party
slavery would to-day cast its baleful shadow over
the republic. II there had been no republican party
u Tree press and free speech would be unknown
from the Potomac to the Rio Grande as ten years
ago. II the republican party could have been
lion was uniured and when the response OF "NO
coercion" was heard at the North would have
ad no nation to-day. But for the republican party
darng to risk the Odium of tax and draft laws our
Aag could not have been kept nyng in the field |
inIil the long hoped for victory came. without
republican party the Civil Rights bll-the guaran-
zee OF equality under the law to the humble |
lnd tue defenceless as well a. the strong |
would not be to-day upon national statute book.
WIFI such inspiration from the past and following |
the example of the founders OF the republic, who |
called the victorious general Of the Revolution To
preside the land his trumphs had saved from its
enemies cs.nOt doubt that labOrs Will be |
crowned W'.n success and IL viii be a that
shall brig restored hope confidence, prosperity and
proercSs south as well as North West well as |
E9st and above all, the blessings under Providence
81 rational concord and peace. Very truly yours,
SCHUYLER C0LFAX.
General Grant and the Radicals.
rIt