Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-06-05

WASHINGTON, D. c., May so, 1868.
To Hon. J. r. H1eley, President Of the Ma
ti0nal Union Republican CoauCati0u


To Hon. J. r. Ha,sley, President Of the Ma
t0nal Union Republican Coarcati0u:
DEAR Sm-The platform adopted by the patri
otto convention over which you presided, and tn
resolutions, which 50 happily supplement it, s.
entirely agree with my views rs 10 a Just Nation
al policy, that my thanks are due to the dele
gates as much for this clear and conspicuous De
clarati0n Of principles As for the nomination Will
which have been honored and which CRATE
fully accept. When the great rebellion which
mperilled the national existence was at last over
thrown, the duty, Of al others, dev0lying on
those entrusted with the responsibilities Of legis
lation evidently was to require that the revOltel
States should be re-admytted to participation in
the Government against which they had warred,
only on such basis as to increase and fortify,
not to weaken and endanger the strength and
power Of the nation. Certainly 10 one ought to
have claimed that they should be re-admittcd un-
der such a rule that their organization ne n State
could ever again be used, az at the opening Of
the war, to defy the national authority, or to de-
stroy the national unity. This principle has
been the pOle-st1r Of those who have iu1cxibly
insisted upon the Congressional policy which
your Convention so cordially endorsed Baffied
by Executive opposition, and by persistent refus-
ais to accept any plan Of reconstruction profiered
by Congress, justice and pubic safety at last
combined to teach Us that only by an enlarge
ment Of suffrage in those States could the desired
end be attained, and that it was even more safe
10 give the ballot 10 those who loved the Union
than TO those who had sought Intellectually to de
stroy it. The assured success Of this legislation
IS being written on the adamant Of history aud
will be our triumphant vindication. More clear
~ too, than ever before, does the nation now re-
.Gr~- i IL ID
that It throws the shield Of its protection over the
humbest and weakest Of Its people and vindi-
Gates the rights Of the poor and powerless rs
faithfully as those Of the rich and powerful.
rejoice, too, in this connection, to find in YOUR
platform the frank and fearless avowal that nat
uralIzed 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 established by arms
their right 10 be called a nation 1t remains for
US to establish the right to welcome to our shores
all who are willing, by oaths Of allegiance, TO be-
come American citizens Perpetual allegiance,
as claimed abroad, is only another name for per
petual bondage, and would make all slaves TO the
soil where first they saw the light. Our national
cemeteries prove how faithfully their oaths of
fidelity to their adopted land have been sealed IN
the life-blood Of thousands upon thousands
Should We not then be faithess 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 soldiers Of for
eign birth laid down their lives. 1t was fitting,
too, that the Representatives Of party which had
proved 20 true to national duty in time Of war
should speak so clearly in time Of peace, for the
maintenance untarnished Of the national honor,
national credit and good faith as regards its debt,
the cost Of our national existence. | DO not need
TO extend this reply by further comment on a
platform which has elected such hearty approval
throughout the land. The debt Of gratitude it
acknowledges to the brave men who saved the
Union from destruction the frank approval Of
amnesty, based on repentance and loyalty; the
demand for the most thorough economy and hon
esty in the Government the sympathy of the
party of liberty with all throughout the world
who long for the liberty We here enjoy, and the
recognition of the sublime principles Of the dec
laration of Independence are worthy Of the or
ganization on whose banners they are TO be writ
ten in the coming contest. Its past record can
not be blotted out or forgotten If there had been
no Republican party, slavery would to-day cast
its baleful shadow over the Republic if there had
been no Republican party, free press and free
speech would be unknown from the Potomac
to the Rio Grande a. ten years sgo ftbe Re