Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-06-07
Acceptance of B. Gratz Brown.

ST. LOUIS, June LIN reply TO the notiica-
ton of his nomination for Vice President by
the Cincinnati Convention, Governor Brown
yes erday wrote long response, in which he
says: 81 accept the nomination as a candidate
for Vice President and endorse most cordially
the resolutions setting forth the principles on
which appeal is made to the whole people of
the United States.
A century is closing upon our experience of
a Republican Government, and while that
lapse of time has witnessed II great expansion
of orr free institutions, yet it has not been
without illustrations, also grave dangers to
the stability of such system OF these sue
cessfully encountered, it is needless 10 speak.
OF those which remain to menace us, the most
threatening are provided against, as | firmly
believe, in the wise and pacific measures pro-
posed by your platform.
1t has come to be the practice of those ele-
waited TO the position of national authority to
regard the public service bnt rs means 10
tain power. This results in substituting
mere party organization for n government it.
| self which constitutes control amPnable to no
4 laws moraliies impairs all independent
thought, enables the few 10 ride the many,
and makes personal allegiance the road to fa-
vor. 1t requires little forecas.e TO perceive
that this will wreck all liberties, unless there
be inerposed with timely reform of admin
stration, from its highest to its lowest station,
which shall not onlg prevent abuses, but like
wise take away any incentive to their prac-
tice. Wearied with the contentious that are
carried on in avarice Of spoils, the country
demands repose. The Union is fortified by
more power than ever before. 1t remains an
| imperative duty TO cement our nationality by
| perfect reconcilition. AT the North q wide
| spread sympathy is aroused in behalf of those
States OF the South which long after the deter
mnation of resistance to rightful Federal
| NJ orn still mir nnlo In
of loyalty, and tyrranized over in the name of
| freedom. Along with this feeling is presen;
too the recognition that in complete amnesty
alone can be found the hope of any return to
a Constitutional Government as of old, or any
development of more enduring unity and
broader national life in future. Amnesty,
however, to make it efiicacious, must be real
not nominal genuine not evasve. 1t must
carry along with it equal rights as well as
equal protection to all, for the removal OF dis
abilities as 10 some with enforcement as to
others, leaves room for suspicion that pardon
| is measured by political gain; and especially
will such protested cemency be futile in the
presence of a renewed attempt at prolouging
| the suspension Of the habeas corpus and per-
sistent resort to martial rather than civil law
in unfolding those agencies used to ALLEVIATE
the races, when concord is most essential and
| in preparing another elaborate campaign on
basis of dead issues and arbitrary inerven-
ton. All will rightly credit such conduct as
but mockery OF amnesty. and demand an
administration which can give better warrant
of honesty in the real work of reconstruction
aud reform. In the array OF scriona interests
| a Republic SO wide as ours is never entirely
safe from serious conflicts. These become still
more dangerous when complicated with ques-
| lions of taxation, where unequal burdens are
believed TO be imposed on one part AZ the ex-
pense of another part. 1t was bold us well
I Ii. u A
| present as well as future tranquility TO with
draw the decision of industrial and revenue
| matters from the virtual arbitration of an cleo
| oral college, chosen with the single animating
! purpose OF party ascendency, and refer them
| for a more direct popular expression TO each
| Congressional district. instead of being nuz-
| zled ny some evasve declaration. The coun
| try is thereby invited to irankes utierance and
sections which would revolt at being denied a
voice, out OF difference to other success, would
be content to acquiesce in general Judgment,
'thouestly elected If local government
be, as il undoubtedly is the most vital princ-
pie of our institutions, much advance Will be
made toward establishing il by enabling the
people 10 pass upon questions so nearly affect
ing their well being disrassionately through
their local representatives. The precipitance
which would force the controlling declaration
on the tax or tariff through the Presidential
candidacy is only disguised form of centrali-
cation, involving hazardous reaches of Execu-
tive influence A conclusion will be much
more impartially determined, and with less dis
turbance to trade and finance, by appealing TO
the most truthful aud diversified local express
sion Industrial issues can be likewise eman-
cipated from the power OF great monopolies
and each representative held TO fidelity to yards
his immediate constituents. These are the
most prominent features of the general concert
Of action which proposes 10 replace the pre-
sent Administration by one more in sympathy
with the aspirations of the masses of our coun- |
trymen. OF course such concert cannot be
thrustng every minor past difference into the |
foreground, and it will be for the people TO
determine whether these objects are of such /
magnitude and present urgency as 10 justify |
them in deferring adjustments until the coun- |
try shall be first restored to free suffrage, I'M
Influenced by ocffiidl dic,ation, and ours becom- /
es in fact free Republic. released from appre- 1
tensions of central domination. Without re-
ferring in detail TO various other propositions
embraced in the resolutions of the Convention,
but seeing how they all contemplated restor-
alton OF power 10 the people, peace to the ma
ton an6 purity 10 the Government that they
condemn the attempt TO establish an ascenden-
cy OF military over civil rule, and affirm with
explicitness the maintenance of equal freedom
OF all citizens: irrespective of race, previous
condition, or pending disabilities, have only
10 pledge again my sincere cooperation.
have the honor 10 remain. very respectfuI-
ly, yours, b. GRAfz Baowx.