Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-20

NEW YORK, July ~.
To the Hon. George F. Hoar, Chairman
of the Committee-DEAR SIR:
I accept the position assigned me by the
great party whose action you announce.
This acceptance implies approval of the
principles declared by the Convention; but
usage permits me to add some expression
of my own views. The right and duty to
secure honesty and order in the Presiden-
tial election is a vital matter that must
stand in front of the authority of the Ma
tional Government to preserve it from
fraud and force. Elections at which its
" officers are chosen is the chief point
on which the two parties are plainly and
intensely opposed. Acts of Congress for
ten years have, in New York and else
where, done much to curb the violence and
wrong to which the ballot-box and count
have been again and again subjected,
sometimes despoiling great cities, some
times sitting the voice of a whole State,
often seating not only in Congress, but on
the bench and ia Legislatures numbers of
men never chosen by the people. The
Democratic party, since gaining possession
of the two Houses of Congress, has made
these laws the object of bitter, ceaseless as
sault, and despite all resistance has hedged
them with restrictions cunningly contriyed
to battle and p~aralyze them. This aggres-
sive majority boldly attempted to extort
from the Executive his approval of various
enactments destructive Of these election
laws, by revolutionary threats that q con-
stitutional exercise Of the veto power
would be punished by Withholding the ap-
preparations necessary to carry on the Gov
eminent, and these threats were actually
carried out by refusing needed appro-
priations, and by forcing an extra
session OF Congress, lasting for months
and resulting in concessions to this
usurping demand, which are likely
in many States to subject the majority
to the lawless will of the minority.
Ominous signs Of disapproval alone SUBJ
dued this arrogant power into q surrender
for the time being Of q part of its demands.
The Republican party has strongly ap-
proved OF the stern refusal Of its Repre-
sentatives to suffer the overthrow of the
statutes believed to be s~alutary and lust. II
has always insisted, and now insists, that
the Government of the United States of
America is empowered, and in duty bound
to effectually protect the election denoted
by the Constitution as national.
More than this, the Republican party
holds as the cardinal point in its creed that
the Government should, by every means
known to the Constitution, protect all
American citizens everywhere in the enjoy
ment OF their civil and political rights. As |
a great part of its work of reconciliation, |
the Republican party gave the ballot to
the emancipated slave as his right and |
defense. A large increase in the number.
OF Congressman and Of the Electoral Col |
lege from former slave holding States was
the immediate result. The history Of re-
cent years abounds in the evidence that in
many ways and in many places, especially
where their number has been great enough
to endanger the Democratic control. the
very men by whose elevation to citizenship
this increase OF representation was effected,
have been debarred and robbed OF their
voice and their rights. 1t is true that no
state statute nor constitution in SO MANY
words denies or abridges the exercise Of
the political rights, but bodies EMPLOYED to
bar their way, ale nc less effectuai. 1t is a
suggestive and startling thought Thai the
power derived from the enfran-
chisement OF . race, now denies its share
In governing the country welded by those
VINO lately sought the overthrow of the
government, is now the sole reliance to de-
feat the party which represented the SOW
ereignty and nationality of the American
people in the greatest crisis Of our history.
The Republicans cherish none Of the re-
sentiments which may have animated them
during the actual conflict Of arms; they
..ong ior . iuli n real reconciliation be-
1ween the sections which were needlessly
lamentable at strife. Thew s;nceraiy
offer the hand Of good will, but thev ash in
return a pledge Of good faith. They deenlv
Ieel that the party whose career is 40 illus
Erious in great and patriotic achieyements
WILL not fulfill its destiny until peace and
prosperity are established in all the land.
nor until liberty of thought, conscience.
lnd action, and equality Of opportunity
'hall not be merely cold formalities Of stat,
ate' but a living birthright, which the
may confidently claim and the
powerful dare not deny. The RESOLUTION
to the public service seems In me-
OF approval. Surely no man.
'hould he be the incumbent Of an Office
he duties Of which he is for q cause mai
perform. who Is lacking in the ability.
ioeiity or integrity which q proper admin.
strstion demands. This sentiment would
louD1iess meet with general acquiesence.
-. opinion has been undr.y divided upo.,
Nc wisdom and probability Of various re-
schemes which have been sue-
'esIed. snd OF certain proposed regulations
ave se"n distrusted, mainly because thew
seemed TO exact mere educational and
Distract tesae above general business cana
and their special fitness for the par
WORK IN hand. It seems to me that
nc rules which should be applied to the
.anagement OF the public service may be
ioperiy concerned in the main to such as .
esuiate the conduct Of successful private