The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-09-16

Certainly no ono ought to have claimed that
thew should be re-admitied under such rule
that their organisation as States could ever
again be used, as at the opening Of the war,
to defy tho national authority, or to destroy
the national unity. This principle has been
the pole star Of these who have inAsxibly 10.
sisted on the Congressional policy your con.
vention so cordially endorsed. Bafied BY Ex
eoutive opposition, and BY persistent rsfussls
to accept any plan Of reconstruotion preferred
by Congress, justice and public safety at last
combined to teach US that only by an enlarge
ment Of suffrage 10 those States could the de.
sired end be attained, and that II was even
more safe to give the ballot TO those who loved
the Union than to those who had sought in
effeotually to destroy 1t. Tho assured success
Of this legislation Is being written on the ada
mant Of history, and will be our triumphant
vindication. More clearly, too, than ever be-
fore does theiLit on now recognize that the
greatest gloryo republic is, that II throws
the shield OF its protection over the humblest
and the weakest Of its people, and vindicates
the rights Of the poor and the powcrless as
faithfully as those Of the rich aud the power.
full.
rejoice, too, In this connection, to End In
your platform the frank and fearless avowal
that the naturaliIsd citizens must be protected
abroad ''at every hazard, as though they were
ers or defendants Of foreigners. Our fathers
established by arms their right to be called q
nation. 1t remains for US to establish the right
to welcome 10 our shores oil 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 tho light Our national
cemeteries prove how faithfully these oaths Of
fidelity to their adopted land have boon sealed
in the life. blood Of thousands upon thousands.
Should we not then be fsithloss to the dead II
We did not protect their living brethren In the
enjoyment Of that nationality, for which side
| by eide 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 to nation.
al duty in time Of war, should speak so 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.
do not need to extend 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 the Union from destruc.
tion-the frank approval Of amnesty based on
repentance and loyalty-the demand for the
most thorough economy aud honesty in the
Government-the sympathy Of the party Of
| liberty with all throughout the world who long
for the liberty we here cnjoy-and the rscOg.
milton Of the sublime principles Of the DeclS
ration Of Independence. are worthy Of the
organization on whose banners they are to be
written in the coming contest.
Its past record cannot be blotted out or for
gotten. If there had been no republican
party slavery would to-day cast its baleful
shadow over the Republic. If there had been
no Republican party, free press and free
speech would be as unknown from the Poto.
mac to the Rio Grande Us ten years ago II
the Republican party could have been stricken
from existence when the banner of rebellion
was unfured and when the response Of "no
coercion waG heard at the North, we would
have had no nation to-day. But for the Re
publican party daring to risk the odium Of tal
and draft laws, our flag could not have been
kept flying on the Geld till the long look Cd for
victory came. Without n Republican party,
80 civil rights bill, the guarantee Of equality
under the law to the humble and the defence.
less as we'll as to the strong would not be to.
day upon our tionsl statute-book.
With such Inspirations from the past, aud
following the example Of the founders Of the
Republic, who called the victorious General oil
the Revolution to preside over the land his
triumphs had saved from its enemies, I cauno,
doubt that our lsbors will DO crowned Will
success. And 1t will DO 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 CoLFAx.