The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-26
GEN. CARL sCHURZ,s SPEECH.


National Republican Convention, ct Chicago,
addressed the Convention as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: 1t Is diff
ficult for me to express how highly appreciate
the honor you have conferred upon me Dy Ills
appointment. You will permit me TO oHer you
my sincere thanks. This is the fourth National
Convention of the Republican party. The short
career OF that party has been marked by events
to which the coming generation will point with
pride, admiration, and gratitude Ihe kepuoli.
can party was born, and in its very infancy it
grapplcd with the prejudice of race which until
then seemed to be omnipot. mt with the masses
of the American people. Our first onset broke
through that, and carried Abraham Lincoln into
the Executive Chair of this Republic, as the
great champion OF the anti-Slavery cause. Then
came the Shareholders Rebellion and the loyal
people of this country displayed a heroism, de-
votion and perseverance under obstruction and
defeat, which may serve us glorious example to
all nations of the earth. [Applause.] The re-
suit ofth struggle correspondent with the great
effort. The life of the nation has been saved !;
the dark blot of slavery has been wiped from
our national escutcheon [cheers]; .our millions
of bondmen have reen raised from the dust and
from their ancient degradation; and this day
these States, the peculiar condition of which
was but recently disgrace to the American
name, return to us under the national banner,
which is at least, as it ought ever to have been,
a great national emblem of Justice, Universal
Liberty, and Equal Rights. Applause. All
these things have been accomplished under Re-
publican auspices; and without indulging in
the history of the Republican party is closely
identified with the noblest achievements of this
country. [ApIlause.] But new problems equally
great are now before US. We have to secure the
results which have already been accomplished;
and to prevent unfavorable reaction we have to
adapt the institutions of this country to the new
order Of things.
The solution of this problem will require
great enthusiasm-greater devotion and greater
perseverance than the struggles which lie behind
us. 1t will require that calm craftsmanship
Nlh lQfG n n R.r NJ hn
objects to be obtained, and a thorough knOwl-
edge of the means by which to accomplish them.
When the Republican party was about to enter
upon the creative part OF its mission, it was rob-
bed, by one of the most atrocious crimes record
ed in history, of a man whose highest virtue
was in his appreciation of the noblest instincts
of the popular heart. Abraham Lincoln was
struck down in the fulness of his glory, and we
are left now to measure his loss by what he left
behind him. Laughter and applause Then
came for US a time of disappointment Our pol
icy was thwarted by the very man whom, in an
unfortunate moment we had put upon the road
to power The legislative and executive branch
es of the Government were pitted against each
other in fierce struggle, and new dangers were
discovered where there ought to have been peace
and quiet. We have had our hours of painful ey-
perience but what of that ? Are to be
disturbed by the mere appearance of danger?
Are not these principles we advocate inst as
great as they ever were? Is not the necessity of
their realization just as apparent ever? Is not
justice still justice, right still right, truth still
truth? Are we not the defenders of Justice,
right and truth to-day, as we were yesterdays
What, then is there to Brighten even the most
pusilanimous of us? say victory will be true
to the Republican party, as long as the Republi-
can party is true to itself. lApplause.l What
we have to do is this: Let us fix our eyes firmly
upon the noble ends to be attained. and not per-
nit our equanimty to be be disturbed by unto
ward accident Let no passion, nfamed by the
sting ing disappointment in this hour however
keen our sense of wrong may be, carry us beyond
the bounds of wisdom and of selfresp poet. The
things we have to accomplish are so great, that
whatever the provocation may be, certainly
cannot afford to let personal resentments seduce
us into compromising our high dignity, whoever
may be our friend, whoever may become our
enemy. Let us march steadily on with unfiinch-
ing determination to fulfill all the duties that rest
upon us, to secure justice to the soldier who
fought our battles; justice to the Southern Union
man, who, for the Union cause [applauseI i'm
peried his life and justice for the colored race to
whom we have promised true and eternal free
dom; Applause justice to the National creditor
who has staked his credit Prolonged applause
Let us faithfully strive to restore the credit OF
the Government to crush corruption wherever
We find it Applause, and cries of good, inside
of the party just as well as outside of the party
Applause and cheers, and to place the public
service of the country IN the hands of honest,
true, and capable men. IAppause.l Let us
with one mistaken purpose work out the man.
ifest logic of the results already gained for libcr-
ty and equal rights. Let US fcarlessly acknowl-
edge that the mission of the Republican party
Will not be ended until the great truth proclaim
ed in the Declaration of Independence, in the
fullest meaning of the term, has become a living
reality [Applause.] Yes, let us be true to our
history, be true to ourselves, and fear nothing
No step Acknowledgement is the watchwordl
Let US again the banner OF progress, of liber-
ty, of equal rights ofnational faith nailed to the
very top of the mast; and say to you, 1 spurn
the idea that the American people could ever so
forget themselves as to throw their destiny into
the hands of men who but yesterday sought to
Destroy the Republic, and who to-day stand
ready to dshonor it. Loud and continued ap-
plause.]