Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-02
The Iowa Convention.

The Iowa Convention.
The action of the Iowa Republican
State convention in regard TO the Southern
question and the President affords an ex-
ample which will not be lost on the republi-
cans of other States. Iowa is thorough
~ republican State, having from forty
thousand to sixty thousand republican ma
jority, and therefore State whose action
10 relation to the Southern question is one
worthy OF most respectful consideration.
The sentiment and purpose of the con-
vention were outlined by the President,
Hon. James +. Wilson. in his speech
made upon taking the chair. Though
Mr.. Wilson is an officeholder under the
administration, he did not demand or ad-
wise an endorsement of the Presidents
southern policy, but keeping in view as
the essential thing the unity and harmony
of the republican party in the State, ex-
horted the convention to stand firm upon
the great principles of the republican
party as embodied in the constitutional
amendments. He said:
] take it for granted, gentlemen, that we are
here actuated by common purpose, to so order
our deliberations and to so affect the result that
there shall be 10 the future continu alton Of the par
~ victories which our party has been accustomed
to within this State. lApplause.l We are here
to-day to act for the Republican party of Iowa I;
to act for 1t in its State capacity; to act for it in
its relation to the greater body-the Republican
party Of the country. think may safely say that
the past affords abundant material which to build
. platform full enough, wide enough, deep enough.
and high enough TO hold this gallant fighting
Republican State. [Appause. In doing this
may safely promise that our flag, as we have
carried it in this State, will not be lowered nor
will the standard of Republicsnism, IS we pre-
sent it and have presented it to the nation be in the
least deprecated. Upon the great vital principles
underlying our party organization, and upon
which we have upbuilded our magnificent polti-
cal structure, we can ell agree without looking
outside these limits for subjects of disagreement
and discord Applause. What we want, gen.
tlemen Of the convention, is harmony in this body,
harmony u its deliberations harmony ct the polls,
and harmonious triumphs ct the close. Great
applause.1 And what we lay down here to-day is
to be the basis Of our position in the coming cam
paign, doctrines, principles stripped OF everything
which may be calculated to make sore places for
US to heal in the future of our country. LAP.
plsuso.l But in doing this, repeat, we will not
lower our standard, nor will we lower our flag,
nor put it lower than we have been accustomed.
NY feilow-citizens. we have had control of the
Affairs of this state many years, and in presence
Of the record which we have made in that contest
for these many years We can stand proudly erect
to-day, and challenge comparison with any party
in any State in the Union conducting the affairs
Of the State to which they belong. [Applause.I
Our position in the line Of the National party
has ever been in advance and TO the front. where
we have borne our share Of the brunt Of the con-
test, and won our share Of the glories of the tr-
umph through which we have come. Applause.
Gentlemen Of the convention, we have duty to
do with reference to the future, and with refer
ence TO the national interest. Here to-day de-
sire to see-and ! think will have an Affirmative
response from every delegate present-our plat
form 30 organized that we shall cast it upon the
future against the hcreses that may oppose US,
msnent the great principles which the republican
party embodied in the constitutional amendments.
fGreat applause.l That we shall organize for the
future upon that basis, and follow it out until in
the most obscure corner of The territory
Of the Republic the humblest citizen known
TO our national family shall be as absolute
ly secure in every right pertaining to
him ~ . citizen the highest in the land, in the
most public station and until that result has been
attained, the work Of the Republican party will
not have been ended. Let US all work, and upon
this basis. regardless of the differences Of opinion
we may have touching this, that the other issue.
With singeness Of purpose TO work out this great
ly desired end, we will 20 forward tremendously in
making it successful tremendously 10 construct
ing platform, harmoniously through our con
vention, and hsrmoniously throughout our cam.
psign, to the greatest victory we have ever
achieved. [Applsuse.
Following tho line of thought marked
out in the admirable speech of MFR. Will
son the convention forbore to put anything
into its platform concerning the Presi-
dents policy. neither endorsing nor de-
nouncing it, but simply declaring contin-
ued faithful adhesion to. the principles and
purposes of the republican party until the
rights guaranteed In the constitution are
secure to every citizen in the country. In
this course the convention was nearly
unanimous. 1t was deemed wisest and
best at the present time to make no allu-
sion to the policy. While the feeling
towards the President was respectful the
doubts about his policy were too strong
to allow of Its endorsement. To remon-
strste would have only caused division
and weakened the party. And so the
Iowa republicans very wisely concluded
to stick to the old republican banner and
20 in united and harmonious for the tick
ct nominated and victory at the polls.