American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-06-22
Senator Wilson's Letter OF Accept
ances

ance.
The following is Senator Wilson's letter
of acceptance of the Philadelphia nomi-
nation
wAsuISGroN June 13.
Hon. Thomas Settle. and others, President and
Vice Pre- idents National Republican Conycn-
ton, held at Philadelphia:
GENTLEMEN: Your note of the 10th inst,
conveying to me the action of the Conven-
ton in placing my name in nomination for
the office of Nice-President, is before me-
/ need not give you the assurance OF my
grateful appreciation of the high honor con-
ferred on me by this action of the fifth Ma
tional Convention of the Republican party.
Sixteen years ago, in the same city, was
held the first meeting of men who, amid the
darkness and doubts of that hour of slave
holding ascendency and aggression, had as
sembled in National Convention to confer
with each other on the exigencies to
which that fearful domination had
brought their country After full confer
ence, the highest point of resolve they could
reach, the most they dared to recommend,
was an avowed purpose to prohibit the ex-
istence of slavery in the Territories. Last
week the same party met, by its Representa-
tives from thirty-seven States and ten Terri
tories, at the same great center of wealth,
intelligence and power, to review the past,
take note of the present, and indicate the
line of action for the future. As typical
facts and headlands of the nations recent
history, there sat on its platform, taking a
prominent and honorable part in its proceed
ings, admitted on terms of perfect equality
to the leading hotels of the city, not only
colored representatives of the race which
were ten years before in AFFECT slavery,
but one of the Oldest and most
prominent of the once despised Abolition
lists, to whom was accorded, as to no other,
the warmest demonstrations of popular re-
gard and esteem, ovation, not to him
alone, but to the cause he had SO ably, and
for many years, represented, and to men
nd vrh
through long years of obloquy and self
sacrifice for the glorious fruition of that
hour. 1t hardly needed the brilliant sum
mary of its platform to set forth its Illus
trious achievements. The very presence of
those men was alone significant of the vic
tories already achieved the progress already
made, and the great distance which the ma
ton had travelled between the years 1856 and
1872.
But grand as has been its record, the Re
publican party rests not on its past alone. 1t
looks to the future, and grapples with its
problems of duty and danger. 1t processes,
objects of its immediate accomplishment,
complete liberty and equality for all; the en-
fOrcement of the recent amendments to the
National Constitution; reform in the Civil
Service; the national domain to be set apart
for homes to the people; the adjustment of
duties on imports SO as to secure remunera
tive wages to labor; extension of bounties to
all soldiers and sailors who, in the line of
duty, became disabled; continued and care
untary immigration, and guarding with
Jealous care the rights of all adopted citi-
zens abolition of the franking privilege, and
speedy reduction of the rates of postage; re-
duction of the national debt and rates of in
terest, and resumption of specie payment;
encouragement of American commerce and
OF ship building; suppression OF violence
and the protection of the ballot-box. 1t also
placed on record the opinions and purposes
of the party in favor of amnesty, against all
forms OF reputation, and Endorsed the hui
name and peaceful policy of the Administra-
ton in regard to the Indians.
But while clearly defining and distinctly
announcing the policy of the Republican
party on these questions of practical
legislation and administration, the Con
vention did not ignore the great socifl
for solution, and which demand the most
careful study and wise consideration. Fore
most stands the labor question. Concerning
the relations of capital and labor, the Repub-
legislation as to secure full protection and
the amplest field for capital and for labor,
the creation of capital, the largest opportu-
mites and just share of the mutual profits of
these two great servants of civilization. To
woman, too, and her new demands, it ex-
| tends the hand of grateful recognition, and
proffers its most respectful inquiry. 1t
| recognizes her noble devotion to the coun-
try and freedom; welcomes her admission to
wider fields of usefulness, and commends her
demands for additional rights to the calm
and careful consideration of the nation.
To guard well what has already been Sc
cured, to work out faithfully and wisely
what is now in hand, and to consider the
| questions which are looming up to view but
a little way before us, the Republican party
is to-day what it was in the gloomy days of
slavery, rebellion and reconstruction-a ma
tional necessity. 1t appeals, therefore, for
| support to the patriotic and liberty-loving
| to the just and humane; to all who would
dignity labor; to all who would educate, ele-
vate and tighten the burdens of the sons and
daughters of toll. With it's great record, the
work still to be done, and under the great
soldier whose historic renown, and whose
| successful Administration for the last three
years begot such popular confidence, the Re-
publican party may confidently, in the Ian
| guage of the Convention you represent,
start on a new march to victory
Having accepted. thirty-six years ago, the
distinguishing doctrines of the Republican
| party of to-day; having, during ten years of
| that period, labored for their advancement,
subordinating all other issues, acting in and
cooperating with political organizations
with whose leading doctrines l sometimes
had neither sympathy nor belief; having
labored necessarily for many years to found
and build up the Republican party, and hav-
| ing, during its existence, taken an humble
part in its grand work, gratefully accept the
nomination thus rendered, and shall endeav-
or, if it shall be ratified by the people, faith
fully to perform the duties it imposes. Re-
| specially yours, HENRY WILSON.