Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-05-27
The National Convention.


egates to take no step backward, to demon
strate that the war was no failure, and an
enlancipated race lifted from slavery to-day
unites with the Republican party to main.
tain Republican liberty. Neither armed
treason nor political treachery can arrest
the triumph of our cause. Applause. Ii
you designate as leader the great captain OF
the age, the nation will greet it as precur-
sor of victory to our cause and peace TO the
public. Applause.
Prayer by Bishop Simpson.
On motion of Mr. Ward, General Carl
SchurZ, of Missouri, was made temporary
Chairman, and was conducted to the chair
amid applause.
General Shurz delivered a brief address,
in which he returned thanks, and sketched
the history of the Republican party, and its
triumphs in support of liberty, union, hu-
manity end equal rights. The problem OF
the future is to secure the fruits OF the past,
and adapt the country to the new order Of
things. This required the greatest prudence
said we measure our loss through his death
by what he left behind him. Laughter and
applause With good counsel and moral
courage victory will be true to the Republi-
can party so long as the Republican party is
true to itself. Let no persons carry US be-
yond the bounds of wisdom and selfrespect.
Applause He counselled wisdom JUS
tice to the soldier to Southern Union men;
to the colored race and to the National cred
itors. This sentiment excited great enthusi-
asm. Let US be just inside OF the party as
we'll as out of it. Mr.. Smithers, of Della
ware, to complete preliminary organization,
moved the following gentlemen be elected
temporary secretaries John r. Cowan,
Ohio; Luther Caldwell, New York; Fra nix
S. Richards, Tennessee. Agreed.
| After the appointment of the usual cCm-
mittees on motion of Gen. Sickles, the Con-
vention took recess until 5 o clock.
On reassembling, the Committee on Gre
| dentials not being ready to report, Hamil-
| ton Harris, Chairman of the Committee on
Permanent Organzationsreported the name
of Joseph r. Hawley, OF Connecticut, for
permanent President of the Convention.
| This announcement was received with tre-
mendous applause.
| The President was conducted to the chair
by Ex-Gov. Solomon, of Wisconsin, and
| Ex-Gov. Brown, of Georgia, amid great
cheering for Hawley, Brown and the retir-
| ing Chairman Schurz. When the latter
presented the permanent Chairman, the Con
vention received him with the heartiest ont
burst of enthusiasm yet manifested. a
Gov. Hawley addressed the Conveh tor
as follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention tender
you my most greatful thanks for the lhigt
honor you have conferred upon me. Deeply
| impressed by a sense of the responsibilities
of the position, | earnestly solicit your in
diligence and your aid. We came togethel
with the, momentous duty of selecting tht
chief rulers of the great nation which lead:
the world in the promotion of freedom anc
equal rights. Applause. The indication
| of your purposes and spirit already give
assurance that you will maintain the nobl,
character of the Republican party. W e un
avoidably recall at this time the Convention
of 1860, with its profound anxietes, its fresh
pure and glowing devotion to liberty and it
enthusiastic acceptance of the wager of bat
tie rendered by slavery and sece ssion. Ap
plause 1t now seems clear to us that Go(
then ruled our counsels. He made our de
claration of principles manly and sincere
He gave us Abraham Lincoln for Presiden
| Tremendous applause. God send us like
wisdom and success to-day. Applause.
He tested us in measure, and to an exten
which the liveliest imagination could no
have anticipated. Posterity, we hope, vii
decide that we met that test with the spiri
worthy of free people. Countless treasur
and three hundred thousand lives Offered
were the evidence that We were sOlemnly il
earnest. We offered our lives and our prop
erty, but it was not enough; we laid Ou
prejudices OF race and class upon the altar
and the consciousness that we at least de
served success redoubled our nerve. Th,
same high resolve rules to-day, and the hon
est men of this country are ready for egua
and even greater sacrifices if they be indis
Ia 70 fho AoI, nf
to liberty and to equal rights. Applause.
We learned the first lesson when we fount
that we must make all men free and cal
them to the battle field. We learned th
second lesson when we found that we mus
still move and give impartialiy to all men
share in the governments we were endeav
oring to restore. Great applause Will
a clear and fearless expression on the essen
tlal and important questions at issue, whlcl
the people well understand, and no ingeni
GUS device, no words can obscure or avoid
passing by all personal and temporary con
troversies working in perfect confidence
that the American people mean to do righ
I and will do it, in the end we may feel sure
of triumph. The power of nation of for
ty millions must be behind the just claims
OF the poorest working man of whatever
race, to recover even and just wages. It
majesty must be felt wherever the humbles
loyal man appeals as sainst personal violence
and oppression: [Cheers. Every dollar Of
the national debt, the blood of soldier i.
pledged for. Enthusiastic cheering. Ev
cry bond IN letter and in spirit must be a.
sacred as soldier grave. [Renewec
cheers. We must win. 1t is the old fight
| OF liberty equality and fraternity against
oppression, caste and aristocracy; il is the
old fight to make the world better. with
malice toward none and with charity for all. u
| lGood applause. We may halt for a mo.
ment, or change direction, but the good
| cause always goes steadily fnrward L. ;s