New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-19
Speech of GOV ernOr NJ Ort on ia the United
States senate

Senator Morton speech IN the Senate
on the evening of the ninth is commented
on by all Republicans as striking the key
note Of the present campaign. 1t was, in
full, as follows:
81 do not rise so much to discuss the
various propositions relative to counting
the electoral vote as to say that l am for
that offered by the Senator from Vermont
believing that it is more specific than the
other two; but perhaps any one of them
would answer the purpose. i desire,
however, to say a word in regard to the
importance of this measure. We have
been noting the proceedings of conven-
ton held in the city of New York, which
has lust been adjourned. have read
the resolutions adopted by the conven.
ton, the platform of principles it has
laid down, and upon which its candidates
have been placed, and l wish to call the at
tention of the Senate to the issue that is
presented to the country by this platform,
and by the character of these candidates.
General Grant, in his letter Of acceptance,
said "Let US have peace" But the
Democratic party, by their convention in
New York, have said: Let MS have war
there shall be no peace They have de-
clared in substance, in direct terms, that
| the reconstruction of these States under the
several acts Of Congress shall not be per-
mitted to stand, but shall be overturned by
military force if they get the power. They
have announced that there shall be no peace
in this country; that there shall be no settle
ment OF the troubles, except upon the con-
ditiOn of the, triumph OF those who have been
in rebellion. This platform and these Rom-
| nations are declaration of renewal of
the rebellion. Let me call your attention
to part Of the eighth resolution in regard
to this very question. In speaking of the
reconstruction of the States, they 60 on to
say that the power to regulate suffrage
exists with each State, making no difference
between loyal States that have been at peace
and States that have been in rebellion, put
ting them all upon the same footing, and
that any attempt by Congress on any pre-
text whatever, that is, upon the pretext
of the rebellion, if you please, to deprive
any State of this right, or interfere with
| its exercise is a fragrant usurpation
of power which can find no warrant
| in the Constitution, and if sanctioned
by the people will subvert our form of gov
ernment. They declare that the inter
ference Of Congress with suffrage in the
States that have been in rebellion, though
that interference may be absolutely neces-
sary, as we have found it, to the recon-
| struction of the States is unconstitutional
and that no justification can be found for it,
| and that it will subvert our form of gov
eminent. This convention has called upon
the rebels of the South to regcrd these
governments organized by authority of the
acts of Congress by the people of those
| States as usurpations, unconstitutional and
| void, and has thereby invited them again
| tN insurractiNn ond raha1IioU bo+ Sc 49,
that resolution means. There is where
the Democratic party has placed itself
and its candidates-that there shall
| be no aequiescence in the action of
Congress, but that continued re-
sistance is and shall be their
policy. They have replied to General
| Grant by saying, there shall be no peace,
| but the war shall be renewed" There
can be no other policy for that party unless
1t acquiesces. fit does not accept these
| reconstruction acts, there can be no policy
but that of resistance and a renewal of the
war. They declare these reconstruction
| acts to be unconstitutional and void. Be-
ing void, nobody is bound to regard them.
Tley have no authority over any one to
coerce or to punish and may be resisted
by any one with impunity. That is not
the language Of the resolution, bnt it is the
substance and meaning oft, and in conse-
quence of this it received the Endorsement
and the appreciation of the hundreds OF
rebels who were in that convention from
the South-men who organized the rebel
government, and organized and led theireb-
ell armies in battle.
This, then, is the issue. A continuance
! of the war, a renewal of the rebellion be-
cause it is either that or it is submission,
| aequieseence to what has been done. But,
Mr.. President we are not left to crepe for
the meaning of this convention. We are
not left even to seek for it by inference.
We have the letter of General Francis P.
Blair, written, believe, less than one
week ago, and this letter has been Endorsed
by that convention this afternoon by his
nomination as their candidate for the Vice
Presidency. IL is as much a part of their
platform as if It was incorporated in If. for
the ink was hardly dry before it was in
dorsed by his nomination. / repeat, sir,
this letter is part of the Democratic
platform. General Blair, whatever YOU
may say of him, is bold, outspoken man,
and he spoke the sentiments of that
convention. He says: upon these SEN
iments want to stand before the eonveh-
tion.' And upon these sentiments he was
hVhhiuat0Hs AuoiOtOICi 4 say tnab the IAN
guage of the Democratic Convention of
New York, to the whole country, is war,
resistance by force of arms to Congressional
legislation the overthrow by force Of arms
Of the governments that have been created
In the rebel States under laws enacted by
| Congress the continuance of this struggle
in a somewhat different form, but still the
same struggle, cont ending for the same
| principles. II is now announced formally.
not at Montgomery, not at Richmond, but
at New York. The country need mot be at
a loss to understand the character of the
| contest upon which we are entering. Il is
not one Of peace and aequieseence, of con-
solidation, whereby the ravages Of war NAV
be repaired, but it is new declaration Of
war, new announcement Of the rebellion
under somewhat different circumstances.
but under circumstances formidable, dan
gerous, and solemn. reI
Let the country look the struggle in the
face. General Blair has said truly that all
that has been said about greenbacks and
bonds and the question Of finance is mere
nonsense The great issue is the question
OF overturning the new State governments
BY force, the restoration of the power Of
the rebels, or, as they call IL, tie white
mans government in those States. and ali
the rest Is leather and pruaella, We owe
debt Of gratitude to General Blair for his
| frankness. There need Be no decantion
| praeticed, now, and there can be none.
There can be no other Issue presented SUB.
staniially to Us but that Of the future pros-
perity Of the country. If SeymOur shall be
elnctad unou that uiaffnrfn he 49,. a..