The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1877-06-07
Another shot. Fired by Hen. j. f. Wilson
Into the Ranks of Those Who do not like
Chairman LeightOn's Call.
Burlington Hawkeye.

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, May 20, I877.-I
am indebted to friend for the following
editorial paragraph, which he clipped from
the Davenport Gazette: g
Hon. James f. Wilson again rushes
| into print in defense of the needless adden-
ola to the call for the State convention.
This, in a letter to the Burlington HAWK
| EYE, the aim of which is to prove that the
said addenda is not in conflict with pre-.
| vlous declarations of Iowa Republican
faith. Inasmuch as no one has ever as
serted to the contrary, Mr. Wilson's effort
| is simply loves laborlost" In all he has
said, Mr.. Wilson begs the whole question
at issue. This is twofold: First, by what
| right does the chairman of the State COM
mlttee assume to dictate a platform for
the party in advance of the meeting of the
convention? Second, if any such right
was possessed, why shouldit be so exer-
clsed-expressly, undeniably, and with
studied intent-as to imply only censure of
the Republican national administration,
and thus in creating or widening breach
in the ranks of the Republican party in
these questions, silence would certainly
be to him the better part of valor."
l suppose that the writer of this para
graph did not see my letter to the HAWK
EYE, to which he refers. On DO other
ground can explain his lack of informa-
ton concerning its true character. said
not word in that letter about previous
declarations of Iowa Republican faith, nor
did undertake to prove that "said adden-
da" was or was not in confi,t with any
former expressions of Republican faith.
1 did undertake to show that there is
nothing in that "addenda" to which any
true Republican can take exception. In
order to make this plain beyond all cavil
[ put the test in this form in that letter, .
viz:
LET me reduce that call to the form of
confession of political faith, and i'm this
way test the RepublIcanism of those who
accept it. Using the exact language of
the call the result is as follows, viz:
list. l believe in the steadfast and un-
wagering principles of right, liberty and
justice, as exemplified in the past record
and platforms of the Republican party
from its birth when it began its unconi-
promising crusade upon human slavery,
until the last shackle fell, and the slave
became man endowed by this party with
all the rights his former master possessed,
and in which he must be protected at any
cost" '.E
I'd. / ''believe in cherishing with pride
undated, its devotion to the cause OF 10y
atty against treason, and can never forget
the service of the loyal blue, though for
giving the rebel gray"
Sd. l believe that the United States
is nation and not merely confederation
of States"
4th. "believe in the strict and vigor-
Gus enforcement of the constitutional
amendments both in letter and spirit, for
the absolute and complete protection of
all-the weak as well as the strong, in
every right of suffrage, citizenship, liberty
and equality"
9Th. believe the majority should
rule, and deprecate all attempts at politi-
cal or official interference Herewith"
9th. "believe that ignorance and wise
will go hand in hand, and therefore, desire
to see our free schools nurtured and fos-
tered as the best safeguard of the nations
life" =.
It'll. believe that until these ends are
accomplished, and these rights guaranteed
and secured to the inmates of the lowest
hOvel in the land as well as to the inhab-
itants of the palatial abode, the work of
the Republican party is not yet accom-
plished."
Sth. "invite all to cooperate with me
in keeping alive the fires upon the party
altar and in giving the State good, eco
nomical and carefully administered gov
eminent"
| think there is enough of genuine Re
publicanism in that confession of political
faith to justify its reproduction. l did
not enter upon any defense of it. l do
not now defend it, 1t needs no defense.
| assert it, and this in face of the fact
that the Gazette pronounces this good Re
publican doctrine Subject of ridicule
from the Mississippi to the Missouri riv-
err"
But the Gazette wants to know by
what right the chairman of the State
Central committee put this good, whole
some Republican doctrine into the call
for the State Convention? Why, by
right Of the presidents and the usage of
the party. This thing has been done
time and again by both Dationaland state
committees of the Republican party. The
precedent and usagerunin almost unbroken
line from the organization of the republi-
can party down to the present year.
Let me answer the second question put
by the Gazette by asking another. By
what right does the editor of the Gazette
attack the the republican national admin
istration by asserting that the incorpora-
ton of the above confession of political
faith in the "addenda" to the call issued by
the chairman of our state committee was
an express, undeniable and studied CEN
sure of that administration? The Ga
zette will not dare to say that President
Hayes and the several republican mem
bers of his cabinet do not cheerfully and
fully subscribe to each and every article
in the said confession of political faith.
Then why should the Gazette try to give
contrary impression, "and thus aid in
creating or widening breach in the ranks
of the Republican party in this stated"
The Gazette will not succeed. J. venture
the prediction that there will be suff-
cient degree Of wisdom and patriotism in
the republican convention at Des Moines
on the 9th proximo to prevent any dis
aster to the party in this State. That
convention will be composed of men who
will not make haste to endorse the Gazette's
pesition-that an assertion of undeniable
republican doctrine is an express, unde-
niable and studied censure of the repub-
ican national administration. 1 -..-.
Yours truly, JAMES +. WILSON.