The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-08-19


Union Republican, COHusWi0H-DEAR SIR.
The platform adopted by the patriotic copven-
ton over which you presided, and the resolu-
lions which so happily supplement 1t, 80 en-
tirely agree with my views Hs to a Just national
policy, that my thNnks are due to the dele
gates, as much for this clear and auspicous
declaration Of principles as for the nomination
with which have been houored, and which /
gratefully accept.
Whom a great rebellion Which imperilod the
national existence was at last overthrow,
the duty OF all others dCvolving on those en-
trusted with the responsibilities Of legislation
evidently was TO require that the revolted
States should be re-admitted to participation
in the Government against which they had
warred only on such n basis as to increase and
fortify not to weaken orendanger the strength
Of the nation.
Certainly no one ought TO have claimed that
they should be rc-ndmit:cd under such rule
that their organization as States could ever
again be used, as at the opening Of tho war,
| to defy the national authority, or to destroy
the national unity. This principle has been
the pole star Of those who have ibhexibly in.
sisted on the Congressional policy your con.
vention SO cordially endorsed. BaHied by Ex.
ecutiye opposition, and by persistent refusals
to accept any plan Of reconstruction preferred
by Congress, Justice and public safety ut last
W tthCu ub tuut OuIy py an enlarge
ment OF suffrage In those States could the dc.
sired end be attained, and that it was even
more safe to give tho ballot to those who loved
the Union than to those who had sought In
ehectually to destroy il. The assured success
of this legislation lie being written on the ada.
mGht Of history, and will be our triumphant
vindication. More clearly, too, than ever be-
foro does thew "a now recognize that the
greatest glory repuLlio is, that it throws
the shield Of its protection over the humblest
and the woakcs: Of its opo, and vinIicates
the rights Of the poor and tho poweriess as
faithfully rs those Of tho rich aud tie power.
full.
l rejoice, too, Ia this connection, to GLd In
your platform the frank ard fearless avuwal
that the naturalized citizens must be prote oted
abroad lat every hazard, as Though they were
native born Our whole people are foreign.
ers or defendants Of foreigners. Our fathers
established by arms their right 10 DO called n
nation. 1t remains for ustu establish the right
to welcome to our shores all who ore 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 fret they saw the light. Our national
cemeteries prove how faithfully these oRths of
fidelity TO their adopted land have tcen sealed
in the li'G-blood Of thousands upon thousands
Should wo not then DC faithless to the dead If
we did not protect thCir living brethren 10 the
enjoyment Of that nationality, for which side
By side with the native horn our soldiers Of
foreign birth laid down their lives,
II was Gttias, too. tim, the representatives
Of party which had proved so true to nation
al duty In time Of war. should speak 20 clearly
In time Of peace for the maintenance unfair
nishod O. national honor national credit, nad
good faith as regards its debt the cost Of our
national existence.
| do not ne cd TO extend this reply by further
comment on n platform which has ELECTED
such hearty approval throughout the land.
The debt Of gratitude It acknowledges to the
brave man who saved the Union from dtstruc.
tion-the frank approval Of amnesty based on
rePontapee and loyGlty-the demand for the
most thorough economy and honesty in the
Hoyernnent-the FympHthy Of the party Of
l'"erty with all throughout the world who long
ior ito liberty We here cnjOy-and the recoC.
milton Of tho sublime principles Of he Deoln.
ration Of Independence, are worthy Of the
organization on whoEe banners they arc H. L,.
written In tho coming contest
Its past record cannot BIO blOttcd { ut or for
gotten. If there had been no republican
party slavery would to-day cast it, balefuI
shadow over the Republic. II there had been
no Republican party, free press and free
speech would be as unknown from the Poto.
mao to the Rio Grande rs ten Yeas ago. II
the Republican party could have been stricken
from existence when tho banner Of rebellion
was unrurled, aud when thu response oi mo
coercion" wa hoard at the North, We would
have had no nation to-day, Bot for the Re.
publican party daring to risk the odium Of tax
and draft laws, our Dag could not havo been
kept Tying on the Isld til the long looked. for
victory came. Without II Republican party,
the civil rights bill the guarantee Of equality
under the law to tho humble and the defence.
less as we'll as to tho strong, would not be to-
day up n our national statute-b book.
With such Inspirations from the past, aud