Year: 1868

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tional escutcheon. Cheers. -Four
millions of bondsmen have been raised
from the dust and from their ancient
degradation, and this day these States,
the peculiar condition of which was but
recently u disgrace to the American
name, return to US under the nation
al banner which is at last as It ought
ever to have been, a great national eun-
blem of Justice, Universal Liberty, and
Equal Rights. Applause All these
things have been accomplished under
Republican auspices, and, without in
dulging in self gloriGcation, it may be
said that the history of the Republican
party is closely identified with the
noblest achievements of this country.
Applause. But now problems equal
ly great are before us. We have TO Sc
cure the results which have been se-
comphshed, and to prevent unfaxorabls
reaction. We have TO adapt the insti-
tutions of this country TO the new order
of things. The solution of this problem
win require great enthusiasm, greater
perseverance, than the struggles which
| lie behind us. 1t viii require more.
It will require that calm craftsmanship
which consists of clear comprehension
of the object TO be obtained, and
thorough knowledge of the means by
which to accomplish them. When the
Republican party was about to enter
upon the creative part of its mission, it
was robbed by one of the most atrocious
crimes recorded in history, Of man,
whose highest virtue was in his appre-
citation of the noblest interest of the
popular heart. Abraham Lincoln was
struck down in the fulness of his glory,
and we are left to measure his loss by
what he left behind him. Laughter
and applause. Then came for US a
time Of disappointment. Our policy
was thwarted by the very man whom
in an unfortunate hour we had put up
on the road to power. The Legislative
and executive branches of the Govern
ment were pitted against one other in
a fierce struggle, and new dangers were
discovered where there ought to have
been peace and quiet We have had
our hours of painful experience, but
what of thatg Are we now to be dis
turbed by the appearance of danger
Are not the principles we advocate as
| great as they ever werel Is not the
necessity of their realization just as sp-
parent as eyerl Is not Justice still jus
ticei--right still nghti-truth still
TRUTH Are we not the defenders Of
Justice, Right and Truth to-day, as we
were yesterdays What, then, is there
to frighten even the most pusillanimous
of us. say victory will be true to the
Republican party as long as the Repub-
lican party is true to ITSELF Applause.


What we have to do is this: Let us
fix our eyes firmly upon the noble ends
to be attained, and not permit our
I equsninity to be disturbed by an un-
toward accident Let not passion, In
famed by the singing disappointment
of this hour, however keen our sense Of
wrong may be, carry us beyond the
bounds of wisdom and self-respect. The
things we have to accomplish are SO
great that whatever the provocatiou
may be, we certainly cannot afford to
let personal resentments seduce US into
compromising our high dignity. Who,
lever may be our friend, whoever may
become our enemy, let us steadily
march on with an unfinching deter
mination to fulfill all the duties tbst
rest upon us-to secure justice to the
soldiers who fought our battles, justice
to the Southern man who for the Union
cause Tapplause] imperilled his life and
fortune; justice to the colored race, tc
whom we have promised true and eter'
NAL freedom applausel; jnstice to the
national creditor, who has staked his
lcredit Applause, great and prolong


ed.


Let us faithfully strive to restore the


honor of the Government; to crush cor
ruption wherever it may be found
applause, and cries of Good, inside
of the party just as well as outside Of
the party, Applause and cheers, and
to place the public service of the coun-
try in the hands of honest, true and
capable men. Applause. Let us with
one unshoken purpose work out the
manifest logic of the results already
gained for liberty and equal rights. Lei
US fearlessly acknowledge that the mis-
lsion of the Republican party win moi
be ended until the great truth pro
claimed in the Declaration of Independ-
ence, in the fullest meaning of the
terms, has become living reality. AP.
plause. Yes, let us be true to our his
tory; be true to ourselves, and fesl
nothing. No step backward! On
ward the watchwordl Let us see again
the banner of progress, Of liberty, Of
equal rights, of national faith, nailed to
the very top of the mast, and l say 70
you, spurn the idea that the American
people could ever so far forget them
selves as to throw their destinies into
the hands of men who, but yesterday,
sought.to destroy the republic, and who
to-day stand ready to dishonor it.
| loud and continued applause.