Year: 1868




ought ever TO have been, a greatsua-


tiOnal emblem of justice, universal leb


erty and equal rights. ApDiauseJ. NeB
and great problems are now before US,


We have to secure the results Of what


has already been accOmpI pIshed, and
to prevent uufavorable rejection, we


have to adapt the institutions Of this
country to a new order of things. The
solution Of this problem will require
great enthusiasm, greater devotion
and greater perseverance than the
struggles which lie behind US 1t will
require more It will require that
calm craftsmanship, which consists of
clear comprehension of the object to
be obtained, and a thorough knowl-
edge of the means by which to ac-
complish them. When the Republi-
can 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 a man
whose highest virtue was 10 his ap-
probation of the noblest instincts of
the popular heart. Abraham Lin
coin was struck down In the fullness
of his glory, and we are left now to
measure his loss by what he left be-
hind him. Laughter and applause
Then came for us a time Of dIsap-
pOintment Our policy was thwarted
by the very man whom in an unfOr-
tunate hour we had put upon the road
to power; the legislative and executive
branches of the Government were pit
ted against one another in a fierce
struggle, and new dangers were discOv-
Ah.,,.o J., 70, l,r-, I---,
peace and quiet We have had our
hours Of painful experience, but what
Of that. Are We now to be disturbed by
the mere appearance of danger? Are
not the principles we advocate just as
great as they ever were? Is not the
necessity of their realization Just
as apparent as ever? Is not justice
still justice, right still right, truth
still truth? Are we not the defend
ers of Justice. right and truth to O-day,
as we were yesterday? What then is
there to frighten even the most pusil-
luminous of US? [ say, victory viii
be true to the Republican party as
long as the Republican 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 equanimity to be disturbed by an
outward accident. Let not passion,
inhamed by the stingiDg disappoint-
ment in this hour, however keen our
sense Of wrong may be, carry Us be-
yond the bounds of wisdom and Of
The things we have to
accomplish are so great that what
ever the pTOvOcation may be, we GER
taiuly ca1not afford to let personal
resentment reduce us into compro-
missing our high dignity. Whoever
may be our friend, whoever may
become our enemy, let US steadily
march on, with an unhinching
determination to fulfill all the duties
that rest upon US to secure justice to
the soldier who fought our battles;
justice to the Southern Union man,
who, for the Union cause applause
imperilled his life and fortune; JUS
tice to the colored race, to whom we
have promised true and eternal free
dom, Lapplause ! justice to the ma
tlonal creditor, who has staked his
credit. [ Applause great and pro-
longed Let US faithfully strive to
restore the honor Of the Govern
ment, and to crush corruption
wherever we find i, Applause and
cries good, inside of the party
as we'll as outside of the party, ap-
pause and to place the public service
of the country In the hands of
honest, true and capable men.
[ Applause Let US with one unshaken
purpose. work out the manifest logic
Of the results already gained for lib
erty and equal rights let US feaTlessly
that the mission Of the
Republican party will not be ended
until the great truths proclaimed In
the Declaration of Independence N the
fullest meaning of the term have be-
come living reality; Lapplausel let
Us be true to our history, be true to
ourselves and fear nothing. No steps
backward let Onwards be the watch-
word; let Us see again the banner ff
progress, Of libertys Of equal rights, oI
national faith nailed to the rerr tor
Of the mast; and l say 10 you Esparn
the idea that the American people
could ever 50 far forget themselves IA
to throw thei destinies into the hands
of men who but yesterday sought to
destroy the Republic, and who to-day
Stan0 TGduy " aoloAohgi Lt' LAoUA
and continued applause.


Smithers, of Delaware, to comnlete
The preliminary organization, moved
that the following gentlemen be elect
ca temporary Seoretarys: John r.
Cowan. of Ohio, Luther Caldwell, of
New York, and Frank s. Richards,
Of Tennessee. Agreed 20.


On motion, II was ordered that the
Secretary shall name one gentleman