Year: 1868

Gen Carl Schurz was appointed
temporary chairman of the Chicago
convention. On taking the chair he
spoke as followsI


Gentlemen Of The Contention: 1t is
difficult for me to express how highly
appreciate the honor you have confer
ed upon me by this appointment You
will permit me to offer you my sincere
thanks This Is the fourth National
Convention Of the Republican party.
The short career Of that party has been
marked by events to which coming gena
erations will point with pride, admira-
tion and gratitude.


The Republican party was born, and
in its very infancy 1t grappled with the
prejudice Of race, which, until then,
seemed to be omnipotent with the
masses of the American people. Our
second onset broke through that and
carried Abraham Lincoln into the Ex-
ecutive chair of this Republic, as the
great champion of the anti-slavery
cause. Then came the shareholders
rebellion, and the loyal people of this
country displayed heroism, devotion
and perseverance under distractions
and defeat which may serve as a glori-
GUS example to all nations on earth.
! Applause.


The result of the struggle correspon-
ded with the great effort. The life of
the nation has been saved, the dark blot
of slavery has been wiped from our
national escutcheon. Cheers. Four
millions of bondmen have been raised
from the dust, and from their ancient
degradation, and this day these States,
the peculiar condition of which were
but recently disgrace TO the American
name, return to us under the national
banner, which is at last, as it ought to
have been. great national emblem OF
justice, universal liberty and equal
rights. Applause.


All these things have been accom-
plished under Republican auspices /;
and without indulging in vain self
glorifcation, it may truly be said, the
history of the Republican party is close
ly identified with the noblest achieve
ments of this century. Applause /
But new problems equally great are
now before us.


We have to secure the results which
have already been accomplished, and to
prevent unfavorable reaction, we have
to adapt the institutions of this country
to the new order of things. The solu-
ton of this problem will require great
er enthusiasm, greater devotion and
greater perseverance than the struggles
which lie behind us.


1t will require more. 1t will require
that calm craftsmanship which consists
of clear comprehension of the object te
be obtained, and a 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 re-
corded in history of man whose high.
est virtue was in his appreciation of the
noblest instincts of the popular heart.
Abraham Lincoln was struck down in
the fullness of his glory, and we are left
now to measure his loss by what he left
behind him. Laughter and applause


Then came for us time of disappoint-
ment, our policy was thwarted by the
very man, whom, in an unfortunate
hour, we had put upon the road to pow
er. The legislative and executive
branches of the government were pit.
ted against one another in fierce strug-
gle, and new dangers were discovered
where there ought to have been peace
and quiet, r -.,..:..


We have had our hours of painful
experience but what of thatl Are
we now to be disturbed by the mere
appearance of danger? Are not the
principles we advocate just as great az
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 moi
the defenders of fjustice, right and truth,
to-day, as we ewere yesterday 3? 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 Republican party is true
to itself. Applause.


What we have to do is this I Let US
fix our eyes firmly upon the noble ends
to be attained, and not permit oul
equanimity to be disturbed by an un
toward accident. Let not passion, in.
famed by the singing disappointment
in this hour, however keen our sensO
of wrong may be, carry us beyond thu
bounds of wisdom and self-respect.


The things we have to accomplish arr
so great that, whatever the provocatiol
may be, we certainly can not afford tc
let personal resentments seduce US intC
compromising our high dignity. Who.
, ever may be friend, whoever may be
come our enemy, let us steadily marcl
on with an unfinching determination
to fulfill all the duties that rest upon us
, to secure Justice to the soldier, VIII,
fought our battles; justice to the South
ern Union man, who, for the Uniol
cause--[a applause 1-imperilled his. lif
. and fortune Justice TO the coloreC