The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-08-12

Oh Demccratlc TO the d0u e
of Representatives would not give to
that party organization power to make
sudden or violent changes but would
serve to check those extreme measures
which have been deplored by the best
men of both organizations.
The result would most certainly lead
to that peaceful restoration of the I'm
ion and re-estad:i>h nent of practical
relationship which the country desires
/ am sure the best men of the Re-
publican party deplore as deeply as /
do the spirit Of viol nee shown by those
recently admitted to seats in Congress
from the South. The condition of
civil war which they contemplate must
be abhorrent to every right thinking
man,.
| have no mere personal wishes
which mislead my judgment in regard
to the pendining election. No man
who weighed and measured the duties
Of the Office of President Of the United
States can fail to be impressed with the
cares and tolls of him who is to meet
its demands 1t is not merely to float
with the POP ular current without a
policy or a purpose. On the contrary.
while u Constitution gives just
weight to the public will, its distinguish
ing feature is that it seeks to protect
tho rights of minorities. Its greatest
glory is that it puts restraints upon
power. 1t gives force and power to
those maxims and principles Of civil
liberty for which the martyrs of free
dom have struggled through all ages.
1t declares the right Of the people t. be
secure in their persons, houses and
papers, against unreasonable search and
seizures; that Congress shall makes no
law respecting the establishment OF
religion or the free exercise thereof, or
abridging the freedom of speech or of
the press, or tie right of the people to
petition for redress Of grievances; it
secures the right of a speedy and public
trial by an impartial jury
Think no man can rightfully enter
upon the duties of the Presidential CT
fee unless he is not only willing to car
~ ont the wishes of the people, express
ed in . constitutional way, but is also
prepared to stand up for the rights of
minorities, Hemust be readyto uphold
the free exercise of religion ; he must
denounce measures which would wrong
personal or home rights, or the religious
conscience Of the humblest citizens Of
the land ; he must maintain, without
distinction of creed, or nationality, all
the privileges of American citizenship
The experience of every public man
who has been faithful to his trust
teaches bim that no one can do the
duties of the Office of President unless
he is ready, not only to undergo the
falseboods and abuse of the bad, but to
suffer from the censure of the good
who are misled by prejudice and mis-
representations
There are no alterations in such
positions which deserve my judd ment,
when 1 say that a great change is go
ing on in the public mind. The mass
of the Republican party are more
thoughtful. temperate and just
than they were during the excitement
which attended the progress and close
of the civil war.
As the energy Of the eDmocratic
party springs from tn IT devotion to
their cause and to their candidates, /
may with propriety speak cf the fact
that never in the political history o:
our country has fhe action of any like
body been hailed with such universal
and real enthusiasm as that which has
been shown in relation to the position
of the Natiuuai DemuUratio Gvuvrutivu
With this the candidates had nothing
to dc. Had any others of those named
been selected this spirit would have
been perhaps more marked. The zeal
and energy for conservative measures
spring from a desire to make a change
of policy, and from a thought that they
can carry out their purpose. In this
faith they are strengthened by the CO
operation of the great body Of those
who served in the Union army and
navy during the war. Having given
nearly 10000 commissions to the Of
icers of that army l know their views
and wishes. They demand the Union
for which they fought.
luc IdIRcSt uicctiu2 VI tuCsc Sdi'dut
soldiers ever assembled, was held in
New York and they endorsed the action
of the National Convention in words
distinct with meaning They called on
the Governm ,nt to stop in its policy Of
hate, discord and disunion, and in
terms of fervid eloquence demanded
restoration of the rights of the
people.
When there is such accord between
those who proved themselves brave AID
self sacrificing in war and thu Sc who are
and patriotic in council, 1
doubt we shall gain apolitical
which will restore our Union,
bring back peace TO Our land and give |
rs once more the blessings of a wise,
econc mical and honest Government.
am, gentlemen, truly yours, SC.
HoRATIo SEYMOUR.
To Gen. G.. W. Morgan and others,
nannnnfnn Go |