The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-06-11
THE PRESIDENCY.
Letters from Grant and COlfax FOrmul.
ly Accepting the Chicago NOM
nation

lk1tlOus :.
The following is General Grants reply
to the nomination of the Chicago Conven-
ton:
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 90, 1868.
To Gen. Joseph R. Hawley, President
National Union Republican Conven-
ton:
In formally accepting the nomination
of the National Union Republican Con-
vention of the 2lst of May, it seems
proper that some statement of my views,
beyond the mere acceptance of the noml-
nation. should be expressed. The pro-
ceedings of the Convention were marked
with wisdom, moderation and patriotism.
and, l believe, express the feeling of the
great mass of those who sustained the
country through its trials. I indorse
their resolutions, and, if elected to the
office OF President of the United States.
1T will be my endeavor to administer ali
the laws in good faith, with economy,
and with the view of giving peace, quiet,
and protection everywhere. In times
like the present it is impossible, or al
least eminently improper, to lay down a
policy to be adhered to, right or wrong,
through an administration of four wears.
New political issues, not foreseen, are
constantly arising. The view of the pub
Tic on old ones are constantly changing,
and purely administrative officer
should always be left to execute the will
oil the people. | always have respected
that will and always shall Peace, and
universal prosperity-its sequenoe-with
economy OF administration. will tighten
the burden OF taxation, while it constant
| ~ reduces the national debt. Let us
| have peace.
With great respect, your obedient SER
want. U. S. GRANT
The following is the reply of Speaker
| Colfax:
| WASHINGTON, D. c., May 80.
10 Hon. }. r. Hawley, President of the
National Republican Convention:
DEAR SIR: The platform adopted by
the patriotic convention over which you
presided, and the resolutions which so
happily supplement it, SO entirely agree
with my views as to nominal policy,
that my thanks are due to the delegates
as much for the clear and suspicious de-
claration of principles as for the nomina-
ton with which | have been honored and
which gratefully accept. When great
rebellion, which imperlled the national
existence, was at last overthrown, the
duty, of all others, devolving on those
Entrusted with the responsibilities of
legislation, evidently was to require tn
the revoted States should be readmitted
In participation in the Government
| against which they had erred only on
such basis as to increase and fortify-
not to weaken or endanger-the strength
and power of the nation. Certainly no
one ought to have claimed that they
should be readmtted under such rules
that their organization as States could
ever be used, as at the opening of the
war, to defy the national authority, or .
destroy the national unity. This D u
ciple has been the pole star of those who
have inhexibly insisted on the congress
sional policy your convention so cordially
| Endorsed. Batf1ed by executive oppcsi-
ton, by persistent lefusals to accept any
plan of reconstruc on proffered by Con-
gress, justice and public safety at last
combined to teach us that only by an
enlargement of suffrage in those S ties
could the desired emo be attained, and
that it was even more safe to give the
ballot to those who loved the Union than
to those who he'd sought, Intellectually
to destroy it. The assured success OF
this les lation is being written on the
adamant of history, and will be our tri
umphant vindication. More clearly, too
than ever Def e, does the nation recog
nize that the greatest glory of the Repub
lie Is that it throws the shield of its pro
lection over humblest and wealthies
of its people, and indicates the right
of the poor and the poweress as faithfully
as those of the rich and the powerful.
rejoice, too, in his connection, to fine
in your platform the frank and fearless
avowal that naturalized citizens must b.
protected abroad, at every hazard, a.
though they were native born. GU
whole people are foreigners. or descend
ants of foreigners. Our fathers estab
llshed by arms their right to be called
nation, and it remains for us to establish
the right, and welcome to our shores al
who are willing, by oaths of allegiance, t,
become American citizens. Perpetua
allegiance, as claimed abroad. is onl,
another name for perpetual bondage, and
would make all slaves to the soul, wher
first they saw the light. Our nationa
cemeteries prove how faithfully thes
oaths of fidelity to the adopted land hav,
been sealed In the life blood of thousand
upon thousands. Should we not thel
|
tect their living brethren in the full en-
joyment Of that nationality, for whicl
side by side with the native born, O
soldiers of foreign birth laid down thel
lives.
1t was fitting, too, that the representa-
tlves of party which had proved so tru
to national duty in time of war, shoul,
speak so clearly in time of peace for TIL
I'm, into 1,I g IL.
honor, national credit, and good faith, a.
regards its debt, the cost of our nationa
existence. do not need to extend tn i
reply by further comment on platform
which has received such hearty approva
throughout the land. The debt of graft
tude 1T acknowledges to the brave mel
who saved the Union from destruction
the frank approval of amnesty baset
on independence and loyalty; the:.deman'
for the most rigid economy and houest
IN the Government; the sympathy of tn
party of liberty with all throughout tn,
world, who long for the liberty we her
enjoy, and the recognition of the sublim
principles of the declaration of indepen
} dence, are worthy of the organization Oh
whose banners they are to be written il
the coming contest. Its past record can
not be blotte1 out or forgotten. If Their
had been no Republican party, SLAYER
!, would to-day cast its baleful shadow owe
the Republic. Ifthere had been no Re
publican party, free press and free speecl
would be as unknown from the Potoma
to the Rio Grande as ten years ago. |
the Republican party could have beel
stricken from existence when the banne
of rebellion was unturlel, and when tn
response of mo coercion was heard a
the North, we would have had no patio
to-day. But for the Republicans DARN
to risk the odium of tax and draft laws
our flag could no have been kent Alvin