Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-06-26
Hon. Henry Wilson's Letter of Acceptance.
WAsnINaroN. June I3. 1872

WAsnINGToS, June 13, 1872.
Gentlemen Your note of the 10Th inst
conveying TO me the action of the convention
10 placing my name in the nomination for the
Office Of Vice President of the United States.
is before me- | need not give you the as
surance of my grateful appreciation of the
nigh honor conferred upon me by this action
OF the Fifth National Convention of the Re-
publican party. Sixteen years ago in the
same city was held the first meeting of the
men who, amid the darkness aud doubts Of
that hour Of slave holding ascendency and
aggression had assembled in a National Con.
yeution to confer with each other on the exi-
gencies in 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 the avowed purpose to prohibit the exist
ence Of slavery in the Territories Last week
the same party met by its representatives
from tbirty-seven States and ten Territories
at the same great centre of wealth, intell.
gence and power, to review the past, take note
Of the present, and indicate its Iiue of action
for the future. As typical facts, headands of
the natiou's history, there sat on its platform,
taking an honorable and prominent part in
It's proceedings, admitted on terms of perfect
equality to the leading hotels of that city,
not only the colored representative Of the
race which were ten years before in abject
slavery, but one of the Oldest and most prom-
nent OF the once despised abolitonsts to
whom was accorded as to no other the warm.
est demonstrations of popular regard and
m mot IN i'm alan. k,tt -
the cause he had so ably and so many years
represented, and to men and women living
aud dead who toied through long years of
obloquy and selEsacrifce for tho glorious fru-
itiou of that hour. 1t hardly needed the
brilliant summary of its platform to set forth
its illustrious achievements. The very pres
ence Of those men was alone significant of
the victories achieved, the progress already
made, and the great distance which the nation
had Travelled between the years 1856 and
1872. Bat great as has been its record, the
Republican party rests not on its past alone;
it looks to the future, aud grapples with its
problems Of duty and of danger.
1t proposes objects of its immediate ac-
compishment, complete liberty and exact
equality for all :" the enforcement of the
recent amendments to the National Consti-
tuition the reform in the civil service the
national domain to be set apart for homes for
the people; the adjustment Of the duties on
Imports so as to secure remunerative wages
to labor; the extension of bountes to all
soldiers and Sailors who in line of duty be-
came disabled; the continual and careful
encouragement and protection Of voluntary
Immigration, and guarding, with a Jealous
care, the rights Of adopted citizens; the abo-
litlon Of the franklng privilege, and the
speedy reduction Of the rates of postage /; the
reduction of the national debts and rates of
interest, aud resumption Of specie payment;
the encouragement Of American commerce
aud Of shipbuilding; the suppression Of ,io-
lenee aud 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, aud indorsed
the humane and peaceful policy of tho ad-
ministration in regard to the Indians But
while clearly defining and distinctly announc-
these questions Of practical legislation aud
administration, 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 stahds the labor question. Con-
cerning tho relations OF capital and labor,
the Republican party accepts the duty OF so
shaping legislation as to secure full protes-
ton and the amplest field for capital, and for
labor, the creator Of capital, the largest op-
portunities, aud just share of mutual profits
to these two great servants Of civilization.
To woman too, and her new demands, it ex-
tends the hands of grateful recognition, and
proffers it most respectful inquiry. 1t
recognizes her noble devotion to tue country
aud freedom; welcomes her admission to
wider fields of usefulness and commends her
demands for additional rights, to the claim
aud careful consideration of the nation to
guard we'll what has already been secured
to work out faithfully aud wisely what is now
in hand, aud 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
aud reconstruction-a national necessity. 1t
appeals therefore for support to the patriotic
aud liberty loving 10 the just and humane;
to all who dignity labor to all who would
educate, elevate aud tighten the burdens Of
the sous aud daughters Of toll. With its great
record and the work still to be done under
the great soldier whose historic renown aud
whose successful administration for the last
three years begat such popular confidence, the
Republican party may confidently, in the Lam
guage Of the Convention you represent, start
on new march to victory. Having accepted,
thirty-sx years ago, the distinguished doc
trines of tho republican party OF to-day
having during the years OF that period for
their advancement subordinated all other is.
sues, acting in aud cooperating with political
organizations with whose leading doctrines l
had neither sympathy nor belief,
having labored incessantly for many years TO
found aud build up the Republican party,
aud having during its existence, taken an
humble part in its grand work, gratefully
accept the nomination thus rendered. and
shall eudeavor, if il shall be ratified by the
people, faithfully to perform the duties IL im-
poses. Respectfully yours,
tSigaed) HrsRS WILSON,