The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-03
MISCELLANEOUS POLITICAL MATTER.

General Frank p. Blair Defines His Position.
WASHINGTON, June 80, 1888.
Colonel JAMES o. BRoADHEAD:-
DEAR COLONEL-In reply to your Inquiries beg
leave to say that leave to you to determine, on con-
sultatIon with my friends from Missouri whether my
name shall be presented to the Democratic Conven-
ton, and to submit the following what consider
the real and only issue In this contest
The reconstruction policy of the radicals viii be
complete before the next election; the States 30
long excluded will have been admitted negro suf-
frage established and the carpetbaggers installed
In their seats in both branches OF Congress. There
is no possibility of changing the political char
acter Of the Senate even If the democrats
should elect their President and majority of the
popular branch OF Congress. We cannot therefore,
undo the radical plan Of reconstruction by Congress
siona action; the Senate will continue bar to its
repeal. Must we submit to itS How can 10 be over
thrown2 Ii can only be Overthrown by the authority
of the Executive. who is sworn to maintain the con-
stution and who will fail to do his duty il he allows
the constitution TO perish under q series of Congress
sOna enactments which are in papahle violation OF
its fundamental principles. &c,
II the President elected by the democracy enforces
or permits others to enforce these Reconstruction
acts, the radicals by the accession OF twenty sprr
Gus senators and fifty Representatives will control
both branches Of Congress, and his administration
will be as powerless as the present one OF Mr. John
son. a..
and the constitution, and that Is for the President
elect to declare these acts null and void compel
the army to undo its usurDatons at the south,
dispense the carpetbag State governments allow
the white people to reorganize their own gov
ernments and elect Senators and Representatives.
The House OF Representatives will contain MAJOR
ity of democrats from the North and they viii admit
the Representatives elected by the white people OF
the South, and with the cooperation of the Presi-
dent IL will not be difficult TO compel the senate
submit once more to the obligations OF she constitu
ton. IL will not be able to withstand the public
Judgment, II distinctly invoked and clearly ex-
pressed on this Fundamental issue and 1t s the sure
way to avoid all future strife 70 put this issue plainly
to the country.
l repeat that this IL the real and only question
which we should allow TO control us:-Sha! we sub
init TO the usurpatons by which the government has
been overthrown or shall we exert ourselves for Its
full and complete restoration II - die 10 talk OF
bonds greenOacks, gold, the public faith and the
public credit What can a democratic President do
In regard to any Of these with Congress III both
branches controlled by the carpet-baggers and their
allies2 He will be poweress TO stop the supplies
by which idle negroes are organized into political
clubs--by which an army is maintained To protect
these vagabonds In their outrages upon the ballot
These, and things Ike these. eat up the revenues
and resources OF the government ana destroy
its credit, make she difference between gold and
greenbacks. We must restore the constitution be-
fore we can restore the finances and to do this we
must have President who will execute the will OF
the people by trampling into dust the usurpaiions OF
Congress. known as the Reconstruction acts. I
wish stand before the Convention upon this ISSUE
but IL is one which embraces everything else that n
OF value In Its large and comprehensive results. n
Is the thing that includes all thar Is worth
test, aud without II there Is nothing that gives
dignity, honor or value 10 tue struggle Your
friend. FRANK p. BLAIR.