Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-09-27
shake hands, for they never had any princi.

pie At the bottom OF their fighting llaughter];
but our war was not priZe-fght OF bullies.
1t WAS not brutal struggle to see who was
the strongest. Ideas fight more than men,
and every one OF you who went ont into bat
tie went under the inspiration of an idea,
sacred, deep, high, far-reaching-an idea
that must triumph. We never know until
long after war is over which idea has tri-
umphed. The battle may not always be with
the conquering flag. The cause that appeared
lost on the field may yet be won in the forum
Of history, and therefore, as you believe in
the sacred Justice OF the cause you fought
as soldiers, so you will stand around II as
citizens, guarding that cause until 1t is car
ried and fixed forever in history a great
moral truth. Cheers. We propose to
stand guard around the war and the victrrics
Of the war, not to awaken any bitter men,
cries: not to keep alive any hostility, nor do
any discredit to any human being, but to do
eternal and immortal credit to the truths Of
the victory we won. That is what we meet
for to-day [cheers, and to-day, fellow -citi
zens, we are confronted in our American
politics with united South, made up, root
and branch, in its great majority, OF those
who fought against us in the field To this
united South we respond with the better
name of the United States igreat cheering
and the men who saved the United States
from being no United States are here to-day
and throughout this Republic to make the
United States united forever in liberty and
justice. Cheers
Now, gentlemen, it is my duty, in the alb
sence of the Chairman of the Association, as
next in order, TO preside here momentarily
until you yourselves shall have organized
this Convention for its permanent work; but
before ! close ! must read to you what our
great eomrade, the Chairman of this Asso-
citation, and Of the great Committee organ
lied four years ago at Pittsburgh, sends to
you in place of coming himself This docu-
ment is signed by the man who gave the Or
der more than fourteen years ago: If any
man pull down the American flag shoot him
on the spot" Applausel This letter to
you is signed by Gen. John A. Dix. A
voice: "Three cheers for Gen. Dix."I
Gen Garfield then read the following
letter from Gen. Dix, who vas absent on
account Of illness:
GEN. DIx's LETTER
Headquarters u. V. NATIONAL Con-
) slrrEE, FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL,
NEw York, Sep. IS, 1875.
COMRADES: 1t was my purpose to be
present as Chairman of your National
Committee at your Convention on the Goth
inst. Causes unforeseen until the last mo-
ment prevent my attendance. 1t is a source
OF unGcigned regret that am unable to meet
an assemblage OF the gallant men who per-
He'd their lives for the salvation of the Union.
My regret Is the deeper as it was my wish to
speak few words to you as follows:
SOLDIERS: Face to face on the occasion
which calls you together, its importance
cannot be over-estimated. IL is my sincere
belief that the tranquility of the country
purchased by your hardships, your perils,
your endurance, and your yalor depends on
the election of Gov. Hayes, the gallant com
mander, who led many Of you to victory, in
dependently of all party considerations.
/ believe it to be far better for the
South, better for the North, better for
every portion Of our vast Republic, that
the Executive power of the Government
should be conndcd to him rather tnan To
his opponent. In placing him in the elevated
station once illed by Washington, you will
all feel that he viii enter upon the discharge
of his responsible duties with patriotism
as pure a life as unblemishod, and an in
tcgriiy as unquestioned. The civil war
through which we have passed with so fear
full an expenditure of blood and treasure, in
re-establishing the Government on the
foundations which we trust may, by Gods
providence, be mistaken for centuries to
come, has brought with it new responsible
ties. A race held in bondage has been
emaneipated and elevated to the rank of
citizenship. The rights with which they
have been endowed by the general assent are
to be protected. Recent occurrences iudi-
cate, ! regret 10 say, that there are at the
South individuals who are intent on disturb
ing the established order, while all such pur.
poses are to be resisted and foiled if need DO
by the whole legitimate power OF the Gov
ernmcnt generous confidence and support
should be extended to those who sustain
It in its manifest duty to enforce the
requirements of the Constitution and law
Your organization was framed in no spirit
of hostility to any portion of your fellow
citizens, 1t was formed to maintain by the
ballot in the political field the principles
which YOU upheld by the bayonet on the
field of battle. We will sustain our South
ern brethren in the enjoyment of every right
aud every privilege which we possess. Their
security is also ours, but we resist and will
continue to resist, now and hereafter, che
elevation OF any Northern man to the
highest office in the gift of the people who
was not openly and actively engaged in up
holding the Government when il was
threatened with destruction. ! believe that
the election of Gov, Tilden would be most
unfortunate for the South. He would go
into Office distrusted by the whole body OF
the patriotic citizens of the North who sus-
tanned the Government in the great peril.
The overwhelming majorities in Vermont
and Maine were called out by his
nomination. The other Republican
States are only waiting for the oppor-
tunity of pronounviug the same emphatic
Judgment upon him, lie could not carry
ON the Government successfully against this
deeply feeling of distrust, and with
out warming into life the sectional almost
ties which have proved SO disastrous to the
country, and which could not fail to involve
us In new discussions. We are starting of
at the beginning of the second century of our
National existence ON Il new career Of pros
perity, animated by the hope and confidence
which arc inspired by the triumphant sue
cess of the past. They must not be elouded
or turned into disappointment by our own
errors Of Judgment or of conduct There are
already dawnings of renewed activity in the
channels of industry. \ country with such
Immense powers oi production cannot long
continue unprosperous. Ne portion of the
INC" has SO great an interest In pres rving