Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-06-12
colfax's Letter of Acceptance.

1hc iohV"ihS 10 tue fePiy Vi oPea@ci
Colfax to the committee announcing his
nomination by tb5 Chicago Conventions:
WASHINGTON, D: c., May 30, 1868.
IT. Ion J. r. Ha,oly President ofthe Ma.
tionat Union Republican, Contention:
Dear Sir: The platform adopted by the
patriotic Convention over which you pre-
sided, and the resolutions which so hap
PLY supplement it, 50 entirely agree with
my views as to q just national policy, that
my thanks are due to che delegates as
much for this clear and auspicious dcclara-
ton of principles, as for the nomination
with which | have been honored, and
which gratefully accept.
When a great rebellion which imperiled
the national existence was at last over
thrown the duty Of all others devolviug
on those intrusted with the responsibilities
of legislation evidently was to require that
the revolted States should be re-admitted
into participation in the Government
against which they erred only on such a
basis as to increase and fortify, not to
weaken or endanger the strength aud pow
er of the nation. Certainly DO one ought
to have claimed that they should be re-
admitted under such rule that their or
ganization as States could ever again be
used at the opening of war to defy the
national authority or to destroy national
unity.
This principle has been the pole star Of
those who have inhexiply insisted on the
Congressional policy your Convention so
cordially indorsed Bafied by Executive
opposition and by persistent refusas to ac-
cept any plan Of reconstruction proposed
by Congress, Justice and public safety, at
last combined to teach US that ohly by an
enlargement of suffrage in those States
could the desired end be attained, and that
it was even more safe to give the ballot to
those who loved the Union than to 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 clearly, 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 vindieates
the rights Of the poor aud the powerless
as faithfully as those Of the mighty and
the powerful.
| rejoice, too, in this connection. to find
in your platform the frank aud fearless
avowaI that naturalizsd 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
to be called nation. |, remains for us 10
establish the right, and welcome to oar
shores all who desire, by oaths Of alle-
glance, 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 flrsttbey saw the light Our ma
tional cemeteries prove how faithfully
these oaths of fidelity to the adopted land
have been sealed in The life blood Of thou
sands upon thousands. Should we not
then be faithless to the dead if we did not
protect their living brethren in full enjoy.
ment Of that nationality for which, side by
side with the native born, our soldiers Of
foreign birth laid down their lives2
II was fitting, too, that the representa-
tiyes of party which bad proved SO true
to national duty in time of war, should
speak so clearly in time Of peace of the
maintenance untarnished Of the national
honor and the 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 platform which has
elected such hearty approval throughout
the land; the debt Of gratitude il acknow.
lodges to the brave men who saved the
Union from destruction; the frank appro.
val Of amnesty, based on repentance and
loyalty; the demand for the most rigid
economy and honesty in the government;
the sympathy Of the party Of liberty with
oil throughout the world who long for the
liberty we here enjoy, and the recognition
ofthe sublime principles OF the Deelara-
ton Of Independence are worthy Of the
organization on whose banners they are TO
be written in the coming contest Its past
record can not be blotted out or forgotten.
Ii there had been no Republican party,
slavery would to day cest It's baleIul shad-
ow over the Republic. If there had been
no Republican party, free press aud free
speech woald be as unknown, from the Po
tomac to the Rio Crandc as ten years ago.
If the Republican party could have been
stricken from existence when the banner Of
rebellion was unfurled, aud when the re-
sponse of "no coercion" was heard at the
North. we would have had no nation to-
day. But for the Republican party dar-
ing to isk. aud the odium of tax aud draft
laws, our flag could not have been kept
flying in the field until the long hoped for
victory came. Without Republican par
ty the Civil Rights bills the guarantee of
equality under the law 10 the humble and
the deienseless, as well as to the strong.
would not be to-day upon our national
statute book.
With such inspiration from the past.
and following the example of the found
ers of the Republic who called the victor.
ious General Of the Revolution TO preside
over the ipnd bis iriumphs had saved from
its enemies, can not doubt that our la
bors will be crowned with success, and il
will be success that shall bring restored
hope, confidence, prosperity nnd progress
South as we'll as North, West as we'll as
East, and above all. the blessings under
Providence, of national concord aud peace.
Very truly, yours,
SCHUYLER CoLFAX.
-------e------
A doting mother of waggish boy, hav-
ing bottled a lot of nice preserves, labeled