The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-08-11
UTICA, August 4, 1868.

0ENILEMEN. Nueu III Tue CITY Vi NEW
York, on the 11th ult., in the presence
Of vast multitude, on behalf of the Ma
tional Democratic Convention, you ten
dered to me its unanimous nomination as
their candidate for the Office of Presi.
dent of the United States, I stated I had
no words adequate to express my graft
tude for the good will and kindness which
that body had shown to me. Its nom
ination was unsought and unexpected.
1t was my ambition to take an active
part, from which am now excluded, in
the great struggle going on for the res
toration Of a good Government, of peace
and prosperity to our country; but I have
been caught up by the whelming tide
which is bearing us on to great polit-
ical change, and I find myself unable to
resist its pressure.
You have also given me a copy of the
resolutions put forth by the Convention,
showing its position upon all the great
questions which now agitate the country.
AS the presiding officer Of the Con-
vention, am familiar with their scope
and import; as one Of its members, I am
a party to their terms. They are in ac-
cord with my views, and l stand upon
them in the contest upon which we are
now entering; and I shall strive to carry
them out in the future wherever I may
be placed. in political or private life. I
then stated / would send you these words
of acceptance in a letter, as is the custo-
mary form.
I see no reason, upon reflection, to
change or qualify the terms of my ap-
proyal Of the resolutions Of the Con-
vention. I have delayed the mere for
NAL act Of communicating to you, in wri-
ting, what thus publicly said, for the
purpose of seeing what light the action
of Congress would throw upon the inter-
ests of the country. Its acts, since, the
adjourn ment of the Convention, show an
alarm. least change Of political power will
give to the people what they ought to
haye-a clear statement of what has
been done with the money drawn from
them during the past eight years.
Thoughtful men feel that there have
been wrongs in the financial management
which have been kept from the public
knowledge. The Congressional party
has not only allied itself with military
power, which is to be brought to bear d.
rectly upon the elections in many Sta
tes, but holds itself in perpetual session,
with the avowed purpose Of making such
laws as it shall see fit.
In view of the elections which will take
place within few weeks, it did, there.
fore, not adjourn but took recess, to
meet again if its partisan interests shall
demand its reassembling. Never be-
fore in the history of our country has
Congress thus taken menacing attitude
toward its electors. Under its inf uence,
some Of the States organized by its agents
are proposing to deprive the people of
the right to vote for Presidential cleo
tors, and the first bold steps are taken
to destroy the rights of suffrage.
1t is not strange, therefore, that
thoughtful men see in such action the
proof that there are, with those who
shape the policy of the Republican party,
motives stronger and deeper than the
mere wish to hold political power; that
there is dread of some exposure which
drives them on to acts so desperate and
SO impolitic.
Many of the ablest leaders and journ-
ais of the Republican party have openly
deplored the violence Of Congressional
action and its tendency to keep up dis
cord in our country. The great interests
Of our Union demand peace, order, and
q return to those international pursuits
without which we can not maintain the
faith or honor of our Government. The
min6s of business men are perplexed by
uncertainties; the hours of toll OF our
laborers are heightened by the cost Of
living, made by the direct and indirect
sxactions of Government; our people are
harassed by the frequent demands ofthe
tax -gatherer.