The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-08-04


tho pole star Of these who have infexibly in.
sisted on the Congressional policy your con.
vention SO cordially endorsed. Bafled BY Ex.
ocutive opposition, End by persistent refusals
to accept any plan Of reoonstruotion profered
by Congress, justice and public safety at last
combined 10 teach us that only by an enlarge.
ment Of suffrage In those States could the de-
sired end DO attained, and that 1t was even
more safe to give the ballot to those who loved
the Union than TO tho:e who had sought in
effestually to destroy IL. Tho assured success
of this leeislation Is being written on tho ada
mant Of history, and will be our triumphant
vindication. More clearly, too, than ever be-
fore, does the nation now recognize that the
greatest glory Of republic Ia, that II throws
the shield Of It's protection over the humblsst
and the weakest Of Its people, and vindicates
the rights Of the poor and tho powsriess as
faithfully a. those Of the rich and the power.
full.
I rejoice, too, In this connection, to find In
your platform the frank and fearless avowal
that the naturalized citizens must DO protected
abroad "at every hazard, as though they were
native born" Our whole people are foreign
ors or defendants Of foreigners. Our fathers
established by arms their right to DO called
nation. II 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, 10 only another name for perpetual
bondage, and would make all slaves to the soil
where FIRST they saw tho light. Our national
cemeteries prove how faithfully these oaths Of
fidelity to their adopted land have been sealed
In the life.blood Of thousands upon thousands.
Should We not then be faitbless to the dead II
we did not protect their living brethren in the
enjoyment Of that nationality, for which side
by side with'the native born our soldiers Of
foreign birth laid down their lives.
1t was fitting, too, that the representatives
Of q party which had proved so true to nation
al duty 10 time Of war, should speak 60 clearly
in time Of peace for the maintenance unfair.
nished Of national honor, national credit, and
good fifth as regards It's debt, the cost Of our
national existence.
l do not need to extond this reply by further
comment On a platform which has ELECTED
such hearty approval throughout the land
! The debt of gratitude 1t Acknowledges to the
brave man who saved tho Union from destruc-
tion-the frank approval Of amnesty based on
repentance and loyalty-the demand for the
most thorough economy and honesty in the
| Governmont-the sympathy OF the party Of
liberty with all throughout the world who long
FOR the liberty We here enjoy-and the recog.
milton of the sublime principles Of Tho Deela-
ration Of Independence, are worthy Of the
ORGANIZATION on whose banners tney are 10 DC
written In the coming contest.
Its past record cannot be blottei out or for
gotten. If there had been no republican
PARTY slavery would to-day cast its baleful
shadow over the Republic. II there had been
no Republican party, a free press and free
speech would be as unknown from the Poto.
mac to the Rio Grande As ten years ago. II
tho Republican, party could have been stricken
from existence when the banner Of rebellion
was unfurlsd, and when thu response Of mo
coercion" wal heard at the North, We would
have had no nation to-day. But for the Re.
publican party daring to risk the odium Of tax
and draft laws, our Gag could not have been
kept flying on the Geld till the loug-lookod-for
victory came. Without Republican party,
the civil rights bill, the guarantee Of equality
under the law to the humble and the defence
less as well as to the strong, would not be TO-
day upon our national statuto-book.
With such Inspirations from the past, and
following the example Of the founders Of the
Republic, who called the victorious General o.
the Revolution to preside over the laid bill
trumphs had saved from its enemies, cannoi
doubt that our labors will DO crowned will
success. And 1t will be a success that will
bring restored hope, confidence, prosperity
and progress, South as well as North, West a
we'll as East, and above ALL the blessings IN
der Providence Of national concord and peace
Very truly, yours,
SCHUYLER CoLPAx.