New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-07-25
A DEFENSE OF GRANT.

SPEECH, AT RALEIGH, JULY "A, 1877.
In the remarks which | shall make propose
to examine the history and condition of the Republican
party and consider the claims of the Administration to
your approval and support Not only in North Carolina
but throughout the country there combinations
In politics proposed founded the most unwarrantabe
charges against the Republican party and its admnsra
ton OF public affairs. Into the correctness Of these
charges propose inquire that may be seen how far
they are justified upon sound political principles or sus-
tanned by the public experience OF the last IL
years. An extensive combination OF disappointed
politicians has joined its political fortunes to that OF the
Democratic party and under the specious cry OF re-
form 1.-THE last resort Of discarded demagoguesnOw
prosecute the vain enterprise Of overthrowng the Re
publican party. You told, in vague and general
terms that the Administration is corrupt; that TO re-
form 1t the Republican party organization should be
abandoned; that Liberal Republicans and Free Trade
Democrats should combine to defeat the Republican can
ddaes and elect whose NAME history and fortunes
have been that OF party and partisan only desire TO
examine into the correctness and sincerity OF this COM
bination-wheher it relies for support upon its pro
fessed principles Of reform whether it is not coal
ton with direct reference TO mere party success for
party purposes and for public plumber.
PARTY REFORM DESERVING OF INDIGNATION AND sCoRN
The first great political organization IN this country
was that Republican party which demanded American
nationality and which gave to us the Constitution and
Union, made people, declared us nation, and
elected the Presidency the man who led the armies OF
Republic through the for independence. During
that struggle In the midst Of the anxiety and untrin
efforts OF fathers t. preserve and bear aoft the great
principles OF constitutional liberty, there were still found
some TO cry out against party ana Tor party reform
ton and by every Republican heart in the land,
and 1t deserves other fate to-day This feeling was
as to lead unwise enactment Of the sediton laws
by Congress- mistaken policy as was shown IN ne
truth WAS lett free to combat II"
The present effort to break down party organization
md he
and reform on the other is blow ut the foundation OF
our political system It strikes at the t tS
arm aud hush the voice OF the people by relieving their
from party s sns
Democrats succeed III the attempt to de-
party headed by Horace Greeley the Presidency
you to take his past history ana RECORD as lndi,
presents itself the serious consideration OF Democrats
Te r as RspaSS1 Of the s9ns the al a ws %
the consistent leaders OF the Democratic party
have from the first opposed his election opposed his In
dorsement and nomination at Baltimore II Is that class
OF adventures, soldiers OF fortune and politicians out
S Sy be senatefa truHyrate Which has finally thrust
him before the people as Presidential candldae such
wonld bring the popular system OF nominations into
contempt, and That OF party conventions into derson
REPUBLICAN PARTY.
The Republican party from the first was constitu-
tional organization, springng quickly into existence
after the repeal of the Missouri Compromise Its single
purpose was to DIT event the spread OF Slavery into the
Territories and it laid no hand on Slavery in the States
II my intention TO repeat the history OF the rise
ana fall OF slayery or 70 eau III review nS Few
ing this the acts of OF the southern
imperative legislation made order and
out OF the chaos and confusion resulting from
OF suffrage have been extended TO the coored citizen
This was not less an act or Justice than OF puDhc
safety. The colored man had been declared forever
free and II freedom meant anything, IL meant that he
should stand equal before the law, ana nave voice IN
congress- Southern States accordingly
Tho Democratic party not reshng this condition again
press denounced these acts a. unconstitutional An
open war on the part Of the opposition being found I'M
That organization obtained and governed in fourteen
counties OF your state and 10 yet greater extent
in 1--we neighboring States In the IA counties 1t CON-
mtted homicdes, and administered 3o whippngs on
unofending Republicans But the ays1Sns arm OF ane
this last Democratic enorinity Tbe records OF your
Of the KuKlnx Kians, and the convicted felons who
have gone up IRON North Carolina ana 'h ne
the Penitentiary are living monuments OF the
cruelty and latent in the Democratic party.
There Is yet other work accomplished by this great
party 20 which aude. II has provided against
the payment OF the debt contracted by the Rebel states
in their effort to destroy the Union It has resolved not
felt that those who coerced emancipation by attempting
pensatio by such emancipaton and ii has determined
to stand upon these great ideas and great principles UNI
work viii live in history 1t will be worehiped by those
who after u.s. and any hand now or snail mere
after De raised undo this work. TO nuy 1t, or impair
its obligation aud validity. the exeeratioDs OF all good
will he meed cut To him VINO raises such manu-, no"
and in all time To come.
RESULTS OF REPUBLICAN POLICY
now come TO inquire what results have been accom-
pished by Gen. Grants Administration which are to De
placed to the credit Of the Republican party All the
great questions which raised by the war have been
settled Emancipation reconstruction impartial suf-
age general amnesty and Civil Service reform have all
secured, either by constitutional amendment or 10y
provisions of law. Important ana threatening differ
with foreign nations have been settled by treaty
aud In process OF amicable adjustment, and
uw an Important prinCi lt been introduced intu
fTcn inercourses which. proposes 10 settle differ
between foreign nations the principle Of arbi
a,!yl, 4igb, 1t u bel.eIed, Will secure te Government