Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-05-25

you nave been dominated as the Cauullatc OF
the Liberal Republicans for the Presidency Of
the United States. We also submit to you the
address and resolutions, unanimously adopted
by the G Invention. BE pleased to signify to
US your acceptance of the platform and nomi-
nation, aud believe Us, very truly, yours,
c. SCHURz, President.
GEO. W. Julian, Vice President.
WM. Z. MCLEAN,
JOIN q. DAVIDSON,
j. II. RHoDzs, Secretaries.
To Hon. Horace Greeley, New York City"
MR.. GREELEY's Rely,
NEW York, May 90. 1872.
GENTLEMEN: | have chosen not to ac-
knowledge your letter of the Sd instant until
could learn how the work Of your Convention
was received in all parts Of our great country,
and Judge whether that work was approved
and ratified 10y the mass Of cur lel'ow-c;tiZcnS
Their response has from day to day reached
ne through kilograms letters and comments
Of journalists, independent of official patronage
and Indifferent 10 the smiles or irowus Of pow
err The number and character of these uncon-
strained, unpurchased, unsolicited utterances
satisfy me that the movement which found
expression at Cincinnati has received the stamp
of public approval, and has been hailed by the
majority OF our couutrymen as the harbinger
OF better days for tho republic | DO not mis-
interpret this approval, as especially compli-
mentary to myself, nor even to the chiyalrOus
and justly esteemed gentleman with whose
name thank your convention for associatiDg
niue.
l receive and welcome it as a spontaneous
and deserved tribute to that admirable plat
form Of principles wherein your Convention so
tersely, so luc;dy and so forcibIy set forth the
convictions which impe.ed and tho purposes
which guided its course, q platform which,
casting behind it the wreck and rubbish Of
worn out contentious and by-goue ieuds, en-
bodies in tit and few words the needs and as
pirations Of to-day. Though thousands stand
ready 20 condemn your every act, hardly q
syllable Of criticism or cavil has been aimed at
your platform. Of which the substance may be
lairly ep;tomized as follows
fis!. All the political rights and franchises
which have been acquired through our late
bloody CONFUSION must and shall be guaran-
tec3, maintained, enjoyed and respected ever
more.
Second. All the political rights and fran
ohises which have been lost through that con-
yulsion, should, and must be promptly restor-
cd and rc-establiShed so that there shall be
hencotorth no prescribed class, and no disfran-
chised caste, within the limits Of our Union,
whose long estraused people shall re- unite and
irateyEizo upon the broad basis Of universal
amnesty with impartial suffrage.
Third. That subject to our solemn cOnsti-
tutional obligation to maintain the equal rights
of all citizens, our policy should aim at local
selt-government and not at Capitalization that
the civil authority should be supreme over the
military that the writ of habeas corpus should
be jealousiy upheld as the safeguard Of person
al freedom that the individual citizen should
enjoy the largest liberty consistent with pub
| lie order, and that there shall be no Federal
subyersion of the internal polity of the several
States and municipalities, but that each shall
| be left free to enforce the rights and promote
the well-being Of the inhabitants by such
means as the judgment Of its own people shall
/ prescribe
Fourth. There shall be a real and not mere
ly simulated reform in the civil service of the
/ Republic, 20 which end it is indispensable the
chief dispenser Of its official patronage shall be
shielded from the main temptation to use his
/ power selfshly BY rule iucxoraUly forbidding
and prec,uding his reelection.
EJth. That the raising Of revenue, whether
| by tariff or otherwise, shall be recognized and
treated as the peoples immediate business, to
be shaped and directed by them, through their
representatives in Congress- whose action there
on the President must neither oyerrule by his
veto. attempt TO dictate, nor presume to pun
ish by bcStowing Office only on those who
/ agree with him, or withdrawing it from these
who DO not.
Sirtb. That the public lands mus. be sacred
" reserved for acquisition and occupation by
cultya;ors, and not recklessy sQuaudered on
the projectors of railroads, for which our peo-
pie have no present need, and the premature
construction of which is annually plunging us
INTO deeper abysscs OF foreign indebtedness.
SeccHt9. That the achievement of these
grand purposes Of universal benefccnco is eX-
pected and sought Of all who approve them,
irrespective Of past affiliations.
Eighth. That the public faith must. at all
hazards, be maintained, aud the national credit
be preserved.
A.Hh. That the patriotic dcyetcincss and
lnestlmable services Of our fellow-cjtizeus who.
as soldiers or sailors, upheld the flag and main
tanned the unity Of The Republic, shall ever be
gratefully remembered aud honoydbly requit-
Cd.
These propositions, so ably and forcibly pre-
sentcd IN the platform Of your Convention.
have already fixed the attention and command
ed the asseuto O! a large majority of our coun-
Try men, who joyfully adopt them, as | DO, as
the basis OF q true, beucGcent. National recon-
structioa Of a new departure from iealousies.
str'i,s and hates, which have no longer an al
cquatc Dotivc. or even plausible protcNt. into
an atmosphere Of peace, fraternity and NUT
ual good Will In vain DO the drill sergcauts
Of decayins organizations flourish mcuaciugly
their trunchcous, and angnly insist that tie
files shall be closed and Strengthened Ia vain
90 the vhippors IN Of parties once vital. be-
cause rooted in the vital needs Of the koar,
protest against straying and boiling denounce
men now.sc their Interiors as traitors and rene
gade5, and threaten them with iummy and
ruin. ! am confident that the American ueo-
pie have already made your cause their own. /
fully resolved that their brave hearts and /
strong arms shall beas it on to triumph.
In this faith and with the distinct under /
standing .het, If elected, I shall! be the Presi- /.
q 'lt, not % party, but Of the whole people T.
I accept your nomination in the confident |
tgus; that the masses Of our countrymen. /
North and south, are eager to clasp hands |
across tlc bloody chasm. which has too lopg |
divided them, forgetting that they have been I
cuemiei, "a tie luyiU. consciousness that they I
arc and must hencetorth remain brethren.
Signed HoBACE GREELEY.
To the Hon. Carl t,chury President Hon f,ao