The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-06-02

of republic is, that it throws the
shield of its protection over the hum
blest and weakest of its people, and
Yindicates the rights of the poor and
the rich and the powerful? rejoice,
too, in this connection, to find in your
platform the frank and fearless avowal
that naturalized citizens must be pro
tected abroad at every hazard, as
though they were native born. Our
whole people are foreigners or descend
ants of foreigners. Our fathers estab-
lished by arms their right to be called
a nation. It remains for us to establish
the right to welcome to our shores
all who are willing, by oaths
of allegiance, 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 first
they saw the light. Our National cem-
eteriss 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 II 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 foreign birth laid
down their lives2 1t was fitting, too,
that the representatives OF party
which has proved SO true to national
duty in time of war should speak
so clearly in time OF peace, for the
maintenance, untarnishedy OF the ma
tionRl honor, national credit, and good
faith as regards its debts-the cost OF
our national existence. do not need
to extend this reply by further com
ment on u platform which has ELECTED
such hearty approval throughout the
land. The debt OF gratitude 1t &C
knowledges 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 rigid economy and honesty 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 sub
lime principles of the Declaration Of
Independence, are worthy of the organ
izatiOn on whose banners they are to be
written in the coming contest. Its past
record cannot be blotted out or forgot
ten. II there had been no Republican
party, slavery would to-day cast Its
balelul shadow over the republic. II.
there had been no Republican party
free press and free speech would be as
unknown from the Potomac TO the Rio
Grando as ten years ago. II the Re-
publican party could have been strick-
en- from existence when the banner OF
rebellion was unfurled and when the
response of no coertion was heard at
the North, we would have had no ma
ton to-day. But for the Republican
party daring to risk the odium OF tax
and draft laws our flag could not have
been kept flying in the field until the
long looked FOR victory came. Without
a Republican party the civil rights
bill, the guarantee of equality under
the law to the humble and the defense
less as well as to the strong would not
be upon our national statute book.
With such inspiration of the past and
following the example of the founders
of the republic, who called the yictori-
Gus General of the revolution to preside
over the land his triumph had saved
from Its enemies. 1 cannot doubt that
our labors will be crowned with sue
cess and 1t will be a success that shall
bring restored hope, confidence, pros
perity and progress, South as we'll as
North, West as we'll as East, and above
all the blessings under Providence of
national concord and peace. Very
truly yours. SCHUYLER CoLFAN.