The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-06-02
,aforo noss the ,st;o, now recognize

before. Does the nation now recognize
that the greatest glory of republic Is
that it throws the shield of its protec-
ton over the humblest and weakest OF
its people, and vindicates the rights OF
the poor and the powerless as faithfully
as those of the rich and the POWERFUL
rejoice too, in this connection, to
find IN your platform the frank and
fearless avowal that naturalized citi-
zens mast be protected abroad at every
hazard, as though they Were native
born. Onr whole people are foreigners
or descendants of foreigners. Our ia
theirs established by arms their right to
be called 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 claim
ed abroad is only another name for per-
petual bondage and would make all
slaves to the soil where first they seen
no light. Our national cemeteries
prove how faithfully these oaths OF
fidelity to the adopted land have
been sealed in the life-blood ct
thousands upon thousands. Should
we not then be faithless to the
dead if We did not protect their
living brethren in the full enjoyment OF
that nationality for which, side by side
with the native-born, our soldiers of
foreign birth laid down their livesf 1t
was fitting, too, that the representa-
tives of a party which has proved
so true to national duty In
the time of war, should speak
so clearly in time of peace for the main
tenance untarnished OF the national
honor, national credit and good faith.
AS regards its debt, the cost of our ma
tionaT existence, l do not need to ex.
tend this reply by further comment on
the platform which has elected such
hearty approval throughout the land.
The debt of gratitude it acknowledges
to the brave men who saved the Union
from destruction, the frank APPROX
al of amnesty based on repentance
and LOYALTY, the demand for the
most rigid economy and honesty IN the
Government, the sympathy of the par
ty of liberty with all throughout the
werld who have longed for the liberty
we here enjoy and the recognition OF
the sublime principles OF the Declara-
tion 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
forgotten. If there had been no Re
publican party slavery would to-day
cast its baleful shadow over the repHb-
lie.
If there had been no Republican party
free press and free speech would be as
unknown from the Potomac to the Rio
Grande as ten years ago. Ii the Republl-
can party could have been stricken
from existence when the banner of re-
bellion was unfurled, and when the re-
Spouse of no coercion was heard at the
North, we would have had no nation
to-day. But for the Republican party
daring to risk the odium OF
tax and draft laws our flag could not
have been kept flying in the field until
the long hoped for victory came. with
out Republican party the Civil Rights
bill, the guarantee of equality under
the law to the humble and the defence.
less as we'll as to the strong, would
not be to-day upon our national
statute book With such inspiration
from the past and following the exam
pie of the founders of the republic, who
called the victorious general OF the
Revolution to preside over the land his
triumph had saved from its enemies, :!
cannot doubt that our labors Will
be crowned with success, and 1t
will be success that shall
bring restored hope, confidence, pros
periiy and progress, North as well as
South, West as well as East, and above
all the blessings under Providence OF
national concord and peace.
Truly yours, SCHUYLER CoLFAX.