Year: 1867

To the Republicans Of the Union:


The National Union Committe ap-
peals to the Republicans of every state
for their assistance and corporation
in this auspicious crisis Of our country


We deem it Of the highest impor-
tance that the Republicans Of each
state should Immediately re.orgnnize
for the remaining elections of 1867.
preparatory to the coming presidential!
contest. Especially should this or
ganization be Immediately effected in
those States which have never before
recognized, as the only just basis of
government, the equal inalienable
rights of man. Not a day should be
lost in forming and strengthening
within those states public sentiment
IN consonance with the principles
which underlie the great political or
ganization to which we belong.


To this end. We desire to prosecute
a systematic and thorough canvass of
the Southarn States By the most
efficient speakers of both races. We
would second their efforts By DIS
tribution of documents, enforcing the
principles, policy and aims of the Re,
publican party. We would call, in
every locality where it is possible,
meetings for discussion. where those
who are with us in principle may learn
to act with unity and energy. These
measures are required to bring out
the vote of that large body of Repub-
lican Unionists who now render the
Southern States battlefield of prin-
ciple. 1t is the pressing need of the
hour that bold, judicious and able
men, thoroughly mbued with our creed,
should there explain our principles,
establish our faithfulness to them, and
prove that national greatness and hu-
man freedom depend upon the per,
manent triumph of our cause.


Beyond this it is essential that We
should now establish in these States
free thought, free speech and free
press. Every part of this Republic
must be open to the discussion of
principles and measures This must
be sustained as a cardinal point in
our creed, at any and every hazard.
Efforts to intimidate the humble and
ignorant voter, on the part of the
Southern planter, must be met with
the spirit of freemen,, and the deter
mination which Just cause sane
tIons,


In time past, the Republican party
has struggled against the unjust re-
proach of being sectional in It's aims
and character, though its purposes
aud its meatis Of ef'rCting them were
such as the fathers of the Republic
approved. 1t was accused OF being
governed by selfish motives, md Of
desiring to aggrandize the North at
the expense of the South Its adver-
saries, having the power to silence
and to crush all opposition, denied all
discussion, and overawed even free
dom of thought in fifteen States of
the Union. 1t is, therefore, now an
imperative duty, which we owe to our
party and to ourselves, to embrace the
first opportunity of tluly represent
ing to those States how consistently
we have contended for the interests
welfare and freedom Of the whole
L Mon.


The overthrow of slavery and the
rebellion, and the enfranchisement Of
the freedmen, rendering this over
throw secure and final, have happily
vindicated our course and organiza-
ton but it is necessary to stamp the
conviction of our loyalty and fidelity
to the right, irrespective of section
or race, upon the reconstructed States.
For the first time Ill many years the
enthusiastic followers of our flag and
confessors of our faith are there TAX
ing part in the popular gatherings, and
in many of the Southern States we
have reason to believe that they form
decided majority. They are, how
ever, without organization, and lack
the cohesion and discipline necessary
to success. Three-fourths Of the Re
publicans have never voted, and have
no practical knowledge of the means
whereby the popular VIII is expressed.
With many of them the habit is fixed
of rendering implicit obedience to
able and destrous politicians who are
implicably hostile TO our principles
and determined on the Prostration of
our cause.


Our immediate action is therefore
Imperative We cannot delay with.
out imperiling all for which so much
ha. been sacrificed in the past. Con
fdent in our strength in the North,
the West and the Pacific States, we
must not forget that we have great
/ duty to perform toward the loyal and
true men Of the South.


Republicans our appeal is TO you
| to carry on and sustain the work
which few loval and true men have
so nobly begun We cannot ask
speakers, in addition to giving their
time and talents for months to thi.
| labor. 10 defray their own necessary
expenses. We cannot print and dis
I tribute documents of the character re-
quired without heavy outlay. We
have no means of reliance except up
on the generous spirit of that great
party which holds the claims of hu
manitv and freedom above all price
/ The patronage of the Government
brought into lower by the statesman


ship, the courage and loyalty of tina


party, will not aid us in this gooc