Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-05-01
FIRST EDITION.
The Centennial Campaign.

SENATOR sANFoRD's ADDRESS AT THE Oh
GANIz ALTON OF THE MASSACHUSETTS, REPUB-
LIOAN CONVENTION.
We give, following, the full text of the
address of Hon. JShn E. Sanford, upon
organizing the Massachusetts Republican
Convention, at Boston, last Wednesday.
1t is worth the attentive perusal of every
one interested in public affairs, Mr.. San
ford said
Gentlemen of the Coaue,ltion deeply
sensible of your kindness and confidence,
and craving your indulgence, l take the
place of honorable duty assigned me BY
your choice. We are assembled in the
name of the republicans Of Massachusetts
to take the first step in a national election,
toward which the public attention is al
ready turned with unwonted interest aud
anxiety. We have come together, trust,
untrammelled by pledges, taking our
opinions from no outside dictation, the un-
willing instruments of no candidate or in-
terest, and loyal only to the spirit that has
inspired our worthiest action in the past.
shall not and need not repeat the histor
10 record Of the republican party. You
know it already by heart. 1t is written in
the annals of county redeemed and saved.
It is inscribed upon the memories Of a CRATE
ful paople. 1t is engraved upon the Con-
stituJiol itself, never TO be etfaced 50 long
as the bo I'd of union shall endure. But
however just our pride, however great our
advantage in the achievements with which
the party name is identified, We are liable
to miss the path of present duty if we seek
it with faces turned backward. Holding
sacred an l inviolate all that has been so
dearly and nobly secured, taking no back
ward step, we must resist the emOation
and avoil the mistake of attempting to
night the batJles OF the future upon the
issues of the pasr. In the year when a
| glad and patriotic people swells the chorus
of nations jubilee, it is not by lighting
again the camp-ires of conflicts that are
ended, it is not by kindling anew passions
that onght to subside, it is not by postpon-
ing the final hour of peace and reconcilia-
tion that victories deserve to be won.
Does it not rather become us, gentlemen,
in the spirit of truth and soberness to soan
the present situation, to take careful note
of existing tendencies and demands, and
address ourselves to duties that press for
instant aud serious attention? Speaking
as republican to fellow-republioans,
shall offer no apology for plain and honest
words. No one who has watched the cur
rent of recent political events has failed to
see deep, widespread, aud growing dis
satisfaction with the management OF ma
tional affairs. This feeling has found itf
natural and necessary expression at the
polls. As result, there have been large
and significant defections from our ranks
We have seen the republican party routed
in its strongholds, and the national house
Of representatives occupied by our oppon
EMS. 1t is idle to disguise the fact tina
there have been periods withln the last few
years when national election would have
brought imminent hazarl OF democratic
restoration.
Have you any longer doubt as to tht
causs which have wrought this change IL
our fortunes? Surely we have not abjdreC
our creed. Oar distinctive policy and aim
we're never more clearly affirmed, our tradi
tions and the names of our great leader