Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-06-18
THE VICE PRESIDENCY.
Letter of Acceptance from Senator w.lssn.

TO the Hon. Thomas Settle and others,
President and Vice p, esidents Of the
National Republican Contention
held at Philadelphia;
GENTLEMEN Your note TO me OF
the 10th inst, conveying to me the
attention of the convention, in plac-
ing my name in nomination for the
office of Vice. PresideE t. is before me
| need not give you assurance of my
grateful appreciation of the high
honor conferred on me by this action
of the fifth National Convention of
the Republican party. Sixteen years
ago in the same city, was held the
first meeting if men who, amidst the
darkness and doubts of the hour of
slaveholding ascendency and aggres-
sion, had assembled in national con.
veE ton to confer with each other on
the exigencies to which that fearful
domination bad brought their coun-
try. After full conference, the
highest point of resolve they could
reach, the most they dared to recc-
mend, was an avowed purpose to
prohibit the existence of slavery in the
territories. Last week the same
party met by its representatives
from thirty-seven states and ten
territories at the same great centre
of wealth, intelligence and power, to
revive the past, take note of the
present, and indicate its line of action
for the future. As typical facts
head-lands of the nations recent his
tory--therc sat on its platform,
taking prominent and honorable
part in it's proceedings, 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 abb
ect slavery but one of the oldest
and most prominent, and once des-
pissed, abolitionist, to whom was &C.
corded 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 represented,
and to the men and women, living
and dead, who had toiled through
long years of obloquy and self-sacri-
feed for the glorious fruiton of that
hour. 1t hardly needed the brilliant
summary of it's platform to set forth
it's illustrIous achievements. Tho
very presence of those men was
alone significant of victories already
achieved, progress already made;
and the great distance which the ma
ton had travled between 1860 aud
1872. But granl as had boon its
record. the Republican party rests
not on it's past alone 1t looks to
the future, and grapples with its
problems Of duty and danger. 1t
proposes, as objects of its immediate
accomplishment, complete liberty
exact equality for all, the enforce-
ment of the recent amendments to
the national Constitution, reform in
the civil service, the national domain
to be set apart as homes to the people,
the adjustment Of the duties on i'm
ports so as to secure remunerative
wages to labor, the extension of
bounties to all soldiers and sailors
who in the line of duty, became dis
abled, the continual and careful en-
couragements and projections of
voluntary immigration, the guard
ing with Jealous care the rights of
adopted citizens, the abolition of the
Thanking privilege, and the speedy
reduction Of the national debt and
rates Of interest and resumption of
specie payment, the encouragement
Of American commerce and of ship
building, the suppression of violence
and the protection of the ballot
box. 1t also placed on record the
opinion and purpose of the party in
favor OF amnesty, against all forms
OF reputation, and endorsed the hu-
name and peaceful policy of the Adj.
ministration in regard to the In
dams.
But while clearly defining and
distinctly announcing the policy o f
the Republican party in these ques-
tons of practical legislation and ad-
ministration, the convention did not
ignore the great social problems
which are pressing their claims for
solution, and which demand careful
study and wise consideration. Fore
most stands the labor question.
Concerning the relations of capital
and labor, the Republican party ac-
cepts the duty of so shaping legisla-
ton as to secure full protection and
the ampiest field for capital and for
labor, for the creation Of capita the
largest opportunities, and just
share of these two great servants of
civilization. To woman, too, and her
new demands, it extends hands of
grateful recognition, aud proffers
its most respectful inquiry. 1t
recognizes her noble devotion to the
country and freedom, welcomes her
admission to wilder fields of use
fitness, and commends her demands
for additional rights to the calm and
careful consideration of the nation.
To guard well what has already
been secured, to work faithfully 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 years of
rebellion and econstruction-a ma
tional necessity. 1t appeals, there
fore, for support to the patriotic and
libe rty-loving, to the just and hui
name, to all who would educate, ele-
vate aud tighten the burdens of the
sons and daughters of toll. With it's
great record, work is still to be done,
and under the great soldier whose
b storic renown and whose success
full administration for the last three
years begot such popular confidence,
the Republican party nay confident
ly, in the language of the conven-
ton, "start on q new march to victo-
ry." Having accepted thirty-six
years ago the distinguishing doc