The Portland daily press., 1872-06-14
HENRY WILSON'S LETTER OF &C.
CEPTANCE.

In reply to the note informing him of his
nomination for the Vice Presidency, Hon.
Henry Wilson replies:
Washington, June 10, 1872.-To the Hon.
Thomas Settle and others-President and Vice
Presidents of the National Republican Conven-
ton, held at Philadelphia on the 9Th and 9th
OF the present month";
Gentlemen, Your note of the 10th inst, con-
veying to me the action of the Convention in
placing my name in the nomination for the Of
flee of Vice President of the United States, is
before me.
need not give you the assurance of my
grateful appreciation of the high honor confer
red upon me by this action of the Fifth Nation
al Convention of the Republican party. Six
teen years ago in the same city, was held the
first meeting of the men, who, amid the dark
ness and doubts of that hour of slave-holding
ascendency and aggression, had assembled in
National Convention to confer with each other
ON the exigencies to which that fearful dOmina-
ton had brought their country.
After full conference the highest point of
resolve they could reach, the most they dared
recommend was the avowed purpose to prohibit
the existence of slavery in the territories. Last
week the same party met by its representatives
from 81 States and ten territories at the same
great centre of wealth, intelligence and power
to revidw the past take note of the present and
indicate its line of action for the future AS
typical facts, headlands of the nations history,
there sat on its platform, taking an honorable
and prominent part in its proceedings, admit
ted on terms of perfect equality to the leading
hotels of the city, not only colored Republicans
of the roce which were ten years before in alb
ject slavery, but one of the Oldest and most
prominent of the once despised abolitionsts to
whom was recorded as to no other the warmest
demonstrations of popular regard and esteem,
an ovation, not to him alone, but to the cause
he had so ably and for so many years represent
ed, and to men and women, living and dead,
who toiled through long years of obloquy and
self-sacrifice for 1.-THE glorious fruitiOn of that
hour.
1t hardly needed the brilliant summary of its
platform to set forth its illustrious achievements.
The very presence of those men was alone s;g-
nificant of the victories achieved.
The progress already made in the great dis
tanceA which the nation had travelled between
the years of 1856 and 1872.
But grand as has been its record, the Repub-
ican party rests not on its past alone. 1t looks
to the future and grapples with its problems of
duty and of danger. 1t proposes as objects of
its immediate accomplishment, complete liberty
and exact equality for all.
The enforcement of the recent amendments
to the National constitution, the reform in the
civil service, the national domain to be set apart
for homes for the people. Xxx. ....... Ed.
The adjustment of the duties on imports SO
as to secure remunerative wages to laborers, the
extension of bounties to all soldiers and sailors
who in line of duer became disabled, the con-
tlnual and careful encouragement, and pr0tec-
ton of voluntary immigration, and guarding
with Jealous care the rights of adopted citi-
zens, the abolition of the frankingprivilege, and
the speedy reduction of the rates of postage,
the reduction of the national debt, and rates of
interest, snd assumption of specie payments,
the encouragement of american commerce and
OF ship-buildng suppression of violence and
the protection of the ballot box. l
1t also placed on record the oriniOns and pur-
poses of the darty in favor of amnesty, against
all forms of reputation and endorsed the hu-
name and peaceful policy Os the administration
| in regard to the Indians.
But while clearly defining and distinctly an
nouncing the policy of the Republican party on
these questions of practical legislation and adj
ministration, the Convention did not ignore the
great social problems which are pressing their
claims for solution and which demand the most
| careful study and wise consideration. Foremost
| stands the labor question. Concerning the re-
lations of capital TO labor, the Republican par
ty accepts the duty of so shaping legislation as
| to secure full protection and the amplest field
| for capital, and labor, the creator of capital.
the largest opportunities and just share of
| mutual profits of these two great servants of
civilization. To woman, too, and her new de-
| mands it extends the hands of greatful recog-
milton and proffers it most respectful inquiry,
and it recognizes her noble devotion to the coun-
| try and freedom; welcomes her admission to
| wider fields of usefulness, and eommends heI
| demands for additional rights to the careful
| consideration of the nation to guard well what
has already been secured
| 10 work out falthf ully and wisely what is
now in hand, and to consider the questions
which are looming up to view but little way
before us, the Republican party is to-day what
it was in the gloomy years of slavery, rebellion
| and reconstructOn-a national necessity 1t
appeals, therefore, for support to the patriotism
and liberty loving, to the just and humane, to
all who dignity labor, to all who would educate,
I elevate and tighten the burdens of the sons and
| daughters of toll.
With its great record the work still to be done
| under the great soldier, whose historic renown
| and whose successful administration for the
past three years begot such popular confidence,
the Republican party may confidently, il the
| language of the Convention you represent, start
| on a new march to victory Having accepted
thirty six years ago the distinguished doctrines
of the Republican party of to-day, having dur
| ing the years of that period for their advance
ment subordiuat all other issues, acting
in and cooperating with political Dream
izations with whose leading doctrines !
sometimes had neither sympathy nor be-
lief, having labored necessarily for many
years to found and build up the Republican
party, and having during it's existence taken an
humble part in its grand work, gratefully ac-
| cept the nomination thus rendered, and shall
endeavor, if it shall be ratified by the people,
faithfully to perform the duties it involves.
| Respectfully yours,
| (Signed) HENRY WILSON