The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-08


ization the power to make sudden or violent
changes, but it would serve to check those ex-
treme measures which have been deplored by
the best men Of both political organizations;
The result would most certainly lead to that
peaceful restoration OF the Union and re-estab-
lishment- Of fraternal relationship which the
country desires. I am sure that the best men
of the Republican party deplore as deeply as
do the spirit of violence shown by those recent
ly admitted to seats in Congress from the
South. The condition of civil war which they
contemplate must be abhorrent to every right
thinking man.
I have no mere personal wishes which mis-
lead my Judgment in regard to the pending
election. No man who has weighed and mea-
sured the duties Of the Office OF President OF
the United States, can fail to be impressed
with the cares and tolls Of him who is to meet
it's demands. It is not merely to float with
popular currents, without q policy or pur-
pose. On the contrary, while our constitution
gives just weight to the public will, its distin-
gushing feature is that it seeks to protect the
rights Of minorities. It's greatest glory is that
it puts restraints upon power. It gives force
and form to those maxims and principles OF
civil liberty for which the martyrs OF freedom
have struggled through ages. 1t declares the
right Of the people 'to be secure in their per
sons, houses and papers, against unreasonable
searches and seizures. That Congress snal!
make no law respecting an establishment OF
religion or the free exercise thereof, or abridg-
ing the freedom Of speech or of the press, or
the right of the people to petition for redress
OF grievances It secures the right of speedy
and public trial by an impartial jury"
No man can rightfully enter upon the duties
Of the Presidential Office; unless he IS not only
willing to carry out the wishes Of the people
expressed in constitutional way, but 10 also
prepared to stand up FOR the rights Of minor1-
ties. He must be ready to uphold the free ex-
ercise Of religion. He must dennunce mea-
sures which would wrong personal or home
rights, or the religious conscience OF the hum
blest citizen of the land. He must maintain.
without distinction of creed or nationality, all
the privileges of American citizenship.
The experience Of every public man who has
been faithful to his trust teaches him that no
one can do the duties OF the Office OF President
unless he is ready not only to undergo the
falsehoods and abuse Of the bad, but to suffer
from the censure of the good who are misled
by prejudices and misrepresentation. There
are no attractions in such positions which de-
ceive my judgment, when I say that q great
change is going on in the public mind. Ina
mass of the Republican party are more
during the excitements which attended the
progress and close of the civil war. AS the
energy Of the Democratic party springs from
their devotion TO their cause and not to their
candidates, may with propriety speak OF the
fact that never in the political history Of our
country has the action Of any like body been
hailed with such universal and widespread
enthusiasm as that which has been shown IN
relation to the position Of the National Demo-
cratic Convention. With this the candidates
had nothing to do. Had any others of those
named been selected, this spirit would have
been perhaps more marked. The zeal and
energy of the conservative masses spring from
desire to make change Of political policy,
and from the confidence that they can carry
out their purpose.
In this faith they are strengthened by the
corporation Of the great body of those who
served in the Union army and navy during the
war. Having given nearly sixteen thousand
commissions to the officers OF that army, l
know their views and wishes. They demand
the Union for which they fought. The largest
meeting OF these gallant soldiers which ever
assembled was held in New York, and lndorsed
the action Of the National Convention. In
words instinct with meaning, they called upon
the government to stop in it's policy OF hate,
discOrd and disunion, and in terms OF fervld
eIoauence they demanded the restoration OF
the rights and liberties Of the American peo-
pie.
When there is such accord between those
who proved themselves brave and self-sacrl-
ficine in war, and those who are thoughtful
and patriotic in council, I cannot doubt we
shall gain political triumph which will re-
store our Union, bring back peace and pros
perity to our land, and will give US once more
the blessings of wise, economical and honest
government.
am, gentlemen, truly yours, &C.,
HORAT1O SEYMOUR.