New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-02
VOL' XXVIII.....NO' $40.
GRANT AND COLFAX.
THE LETTERs or ACCEPTANCE.

TO 0en JOSEPH r. HAwLEY, PRESIDE" N"'O"'' 0''''"
Republican CoHrentOn'
In formally accepting the nomination of the
National Union Republican Convention OF the
DIST Of May inst, it seems proper that some
statement Of views beyond the mere acceptance
Of the nomination should be expressed The pro-
eeedings of the Convention were marked with
wisdom. moderation and patriotism, and believe
express the feelings of the great mass OF those
who sustained the country through its recent
trials. / indorse the resolutions If elected 10
the Office of President of the United States, 1t
will he nv endeavor to administer oil the laws
in good faith, with economy and with the view
of giving peace quiet, and protection everywhere
Tn times like the present it is impossible,
or at least eminently improper, to lay down
n policy to be adhered to- right or wrong, through
an administration of four years. New political Is
sues not foreseen are constantly arsing the views
of the public on old ones constantly changing
and purely administrative officer should always be
left free to execute the win of the people. always
have respected that will and always shall. Peace
and universal prosperity-its sequence-with
economy of administration will Tighten the burden
of taxation while constantly reduces the National
debt. Let US have peace
With great respect, your Obedent servant
L. s. GRANT.
Washington, D. c., May 90 1868.
The following is the reply of Speaker COfax to the
Committee announcing his nomination by the
Chicago Convention:
SPEAKER COLFAX's LETTER.
Hon. j. r. HAwIEY, President Of the National Union
Republican COHreaiiOn.
DEAR SIR The platform adopted by the patriotic
Convention over which you presided, and the resolu
tons which so happily supplement it. so entirely
agree with my views to just national policy that
my thanks are due to the Delegates much for this
clear and suspicious declaration of principles as for
the nomination with which have been honored
and which l gratefully accept. When a great
Rebellion, which impered the national existence
was at last overthrown, the duty OF all others,
deyolving on those intrusted with the responsibilities
of legislation evidently was to require that the re-
yolted States should be readmitted TO par
ticipation in the Government against which
they had erred only on such basis as to increase
and fortify not to weaken endanger the strength
and power of the nation Certainly no one ought to
have claimed that they should be readmitted under
such rule that their organization as States could
Il h. of no vvar
defy the national authority to destroy the national
unity This principle has been the of those
who have inhexibly insisted on the Congressional
policy, your Convention so cordially Endorsed. BAT
fed by Executive opposition, and by persistent re-
fusas to accept any plan of reconstruction proered
by Congress- justice and public safety at last com
bned to teach Us that only by enlargement Of suf-
fragen those States could the desired end be attained
and that il was even safe TO give the ballot to
those who loved the Union than to those who had
sought Intellectually to destroy it. The assured sue
cess of this legislation is being written on the ada
mant of history and will be our triumphant vindi-
cation 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 anu weakest of its people and
vindcates the rights Of the poor and the poweress
as faithfully as those Of the rich and the powerful
1 rejoice too in this connection, to find in your
platform the frank and fearless avowal
that naturalized citizens must be protected
abroad at every hazard, as though they
were native-born. Our whole people are
foreigners OF descendants Of foreigners our fathers
established by arms their right to be called nation
1t remains for us to establish the right to welcome to
our shores all who are willing, by oatlls of ale
glance to become American citizens. Perpetual al
legianee, 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
cemeteries prove how faithfully these oaths Of fdel
ity their adopted land have been sealed in the life
blood Of thousands upon thousands. Should we
not then be faithless to the dead if 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 lives. 1t was fitting too that
the representatives of party which had proved so
true 10 national duty in time of war should sneak so
clearly in time OF peace for the maintenance untarn
shed Of the national honor national credit and good
faith regards its debt the cost of our national ex
istence do not need to extend this reply by fur
ther comment on platform which has elected sucb
hearty approval throughout the land. The debt of
gratitude it Acknowledges 70 the brave men who
saved the Union from destruction the frank approval