The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-07-29

they should be n. admitted under such rule
that their organization as States could ever
again DO used, as at the opening Of tho war,
to defy the national authority, or to destroy
tho national unity. This principle has been
the pole star Of these who have ibnexibly 10.
sisted on tho Congressional policy your con.
vcntion so cordially endorsed. Bafied by Ex.
ocutive opposition, and by persistent refusals
to accept my plan Of reconstruction profered
by Congress, Justice and public safety nt last
combined to teach us that only by an enlarge.
ment Of suffrage In those States could the de-
sired end be attained, and that II was even
moro slfs to give the ballot to those who loved
the Union than to those who bad sought in
effectually to destroy it, The assured success
of this legislation is being written on the ada.
msnt Of history, aud will be our triumphant
vindicstion. More clearly, too, than ever be-
fore, does tho nation now recognise that the
| greatest glory Of q republic 10, that II throws
the shield Of its protection. over the humblest
and the weakest Of its people, and vindicates
the rights Of the poor and the powerless as
faithfully as those Of the rich and the power
full.
rejoice, too, In this connection, to find In
your platform the frank and fearless avowal
that tho naturalized citizens must be protected
| abroad ''at every hazard, as though they wore
| native born Our whole people are foreign.
| ers or defendants of foreigners. Our fathers
established by arms their right to DO called Q
nation. 1t 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 perpetual
bondage, and would make all slaves to the soil
where first they saw tho 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 be faitbless to the dead If
wo did not protect their living brethren in the
enjoyment Of that nationality, for which side
by side with the native born our soldiers Of
foreign birth laid down their lives
1t was fitting, too, that the representatives
Of party which had proved so truo 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 il Acknowledges to the
brave man who saved tho Union from destruc-
tion-the frank approval Of amnesty based on
repentance and lOyalty-the demand for the
most thorough economy and honesty in the
Government-the sympathy Of the party Of
liberty with all throughout the world who long
for the liberty we here eDj0y-and the recog-
milton Of the sublime principles Of he Dscla-
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 balefu
shadow over the Republic. If there had beer
no Republican party, free press and free
speech would be as unknown from the Poto
mac to the Rio Grante as ten years ago. II
the Republican party could have been stricken
FROM existence when the banner of rebellion
was unfurled, and when this response of INC
coercion" wa heard at the North we would
have had no nation to-day. But for the Re.
publican party daring to risk the odium of tax
and draft laws, our fag could not have been
kept flying on the Geld till the long .lookei-for
victory came. Without Republican party,
the civil rights bill, the guarantee Of equality
under the law to the humble and the defence.
less as well as to the strong, would net be to-
day upon our pntional statute-book.
With such Inspirations from the past, aud
following the example Of the founders of the
Republic, who called the victorious General o
tho Revolution TO preside over the land hi:
triuuphs had saved from its enc mics, I canno,
doubt that our labors will be crowned will
s success. And 1t will DO success that vii
0 bring restored hope, confidence, prosperity
and progress, South as we'll as North, West a
{ well as East and above all, the blessings un
r der Providence Of national concord and pea CO
Very truly, you're.
ECuUyLRE COLFAX