Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-06-10
The Letters of Acceptance.

In the brief speech which Gen. Grant
made to the Committee that was appointed
BY the National Republican Convention, to
wait upon the candidates and tender the
the General intimated that on
a future day he would communicate his
views. He has done so in the following:
GEN. GRANTS LETTER.
To Gen. Joseph L. Hawiey, President Na-
tioaal Uaion Republican Conceatton:
In formally accepting the nomination OF
the National Union Republican Conven-
ton of the 2lst of May, it seems proper
that some statement of views beyond the
mere acceptance of the nomination should
be expressed. The proceedings of the Con-
yention were marked with wisdom, moder-
alton, and patriotism, and | believe ex-
press the feelings of the great mass OF those
who sustained the country through its re-
cent trials. indorse the resolutions. Ii
elected to the Office Of President OF the Uni
ted States,i ii will be my endeavor to admin
lister all the laws in good faith, with econo-
my, and with the view of giving peace, quiet,
and protection everywhere. ln times like the
present it is impossible, or at least eminent
ly imroper, to lay down policy to be ad-
jstration of four years. New,politieal issues,
not foreseen, are constant arising; the
views of the public on old ones are constant
ly changing, and purely administrative Of
fcer should always be left free to execute
the will OF the people. always have res
pected that will, and always shall. Peace
and universal prosperlty-lts sequence
with economy of administration will tighten
the burden of taxation, while 1t constantly
reduces the National debt. Let US have
peace.
With great respect, your obedient SER
want, u. . GRANT.
Washington D. G. June l, 1868.
The following is the reply of Speaker Col
fax to the Committee announcing his nom
ination blythe Chicago Convention
SPEAKER CoLFAX's LETTER.
Hon. J. r. Hawley, President of the Ma
tional Union Republican Concention
Dear sir: The platform adopted by the
patriotic Convention over which you presl-
ded, and the resolutions which so happily
supplement it, so entirely agree with my
views as to a Just national policy that my
thanks are due to the Delegates as much Tor
this clear and auspicious declaration of
principles as for the nomination with which
| have been honored, and which l grateful
" accept When a great Rebellion, which
imperiled the Dational existence, was at last
oyerthrown, the duty of all others, devolv-
ing on those intrusted with the responsible
ities of legislation. evidently was to require
that the revoited States should be readmit-
ted to participation in the Government "a
against which they had erred only on
such basis as to increase and fortity, not
to weaken or endanger, the strength and
power of the nation. Certainly no one ought
nrtocu unuer sucn RUE IlaI JneIr organlza
ton as States could ever again be used. as
at the opening OF the war, to defy the ma
tional authority or to destroy the national
unity. This principle has been the poll
sar OF those who have inhexibly insisted on
the Congressional policy, your Convention
so cordially endorsed. Baffied by Execu-
tive opposition, and by persistent refusal to
accept any plan of reconstruction proffered
by Congress. justice and public safety at
last combined to teach us that only by an
enlargement of suffrage in those States
could the desired end be attained, and that
1t was even more safe to give the ballot to
those who loved the Union than those who
had sought Intellectually to destroy it. The
assured success of this legislation is being
written on the adamant of history, and will
be our triumphant vindication. More clear
ly, too, than ever before, does the nation
now recognize that the greatest glory of
republic is that it throws the shield of its
protection 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 avewal that natural
lied citizens must be protected. abroad at
every hazard, as though they were native
born. Our whole people are foreigners, or
descendants OF foreigners; our fathers es-
tablshed 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 oath 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 the
light Our National cemeteries prove how
faithfully these oaths of fidelity TO their
adopted land have been sealed in the lite
blood OF thousands upon thousands. Should
we not, then, be faith lie SIS 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 SOL |
dlers OF foreign birth laid down their lives. |
1t was lifting too, that the representatives
of party which had proved so true to ma
-ional duty in time of war, should speak so
clearly in time of peace for the maintenance
OF. the national honor, national
'redit and good faith as regards its debt, the
;ost of our national existence. [ do not
need to extend this reply by further com
nent on platform which has elected such
hearty approval throughout the land. The
lebt OF gratitude it acknowledges to the
'rave IN en- who saved the Union from des-
ruction, the frank approval of amnesty bas-