Year: 1868

July 10th, is commented on by all Republicans
as striking the key-n of the present campaign.
1t was, in full, as follows:


do not rise much to discuss the various
propositions relative to counting the electoral
vote, to say that am in favor of the one
offered by the Senator from Vermont, believing
that it is more specific than the other two, but,
perhaps any one of them would answer the pur-
porse. | desire, however, to say word in
gard to the importance of this measure. We
nave been noting the proceedings of a conven-
ton held in the city of New York, which has
but just adjourned. l have read the resolutions
adopted by the convention, the platform of prin-
clples 1t has laid down, and upon which its
didates have been placed, and wish to call the
attention OF the Senate to the issue that is pre-
sented to the country by this platform, and by
the character of these candidates. General
Grant in his letter of acceptance, said " Let us
have peace" But the Democratic party by their
convention in New York, have said g Let US
have war; there shall be peace. They have
declared in substance, in direct terms, that the
reconsyuction of these States under the several
acts of Congress shall not be permitted to stand,
but shall be overturned by military force if they
get the power. They have announced that there
shall be no peace in this country; that there
shall be no settlement of troubles, except
upon the condition of the triumph of those who
have been in rebellion. This platform and these
resolutions are declaration of renewal of the





of the eighth resolution in regard to this very
question. In speaking of the reconstruction of
the States, they 60 on to say that the power to
regulate suffrage exists with each State, making
no difference between loyal States that have
been at peace and States that have been in rebel
lion, putting them all upon the same footing,
and that any attempt by Congress, on any pre-
text whatever, that is, upon the pretext of the
rebellion, if you please, to deprive any State of
this right, to interfere with its exercise is q
fragrant usurpaton of power which can find no
warrant in the constitution, and if sanctioned by
the people will subvert our form of Government.
They declare that the interference of Congress
with suffrage in the States that have been in re-
bellion, though that interference may be abso-
lutely necessary, have found it, to the re-
construction of the States, is unconstitutional,
and that justification can be found for it and
that it will subvert form of government.
This convention has called upon the rebels of
the South to regard these governments organized
by authority of the acts of Congress by the peo-
pie of those States as usurpations, unconstitu-
tional and void, and has thereby invited them
again to insurrecton and rebellion. That is
what the resolution means. There is where the
Democratic party has placed itself and its candi-
dates-that there shall be acquiescence in the
action of Congress, but that continued resistance
is and shall be their policy. They have replied
to General Grant by saying I" There shall be no
peace, but the war shall be renewed" There
can be other policy for that party unless it
| acquesces. If it does not accept the reeonstruc-
ton acts there can be no policy except that of re-
sistance and renewal of the war. They de-
clare these reconstruction acts to be unconstltu-
ton and void. Being void, nobody is bound to
regard them They have authority over any
one to coerce or to punish, and may be resisted
by any one with impunity. That Is not the lam
guage Of this resolution, but it is the substance
and meaning of it, and in consequence of this it
.-oI +l,o md thao hot tinu of
the hundreds of rebels who were in that conven-
ton from the South-men who organized the
rebel government, and organized and led the
rebel armies in battle. This; then, is the issue.
A continuance of the war, a renewal of the re-
bellion, because it is either that or it is subms-
sion-acquiescence to what has been done


But, Mr.. President, we are not left to grope for
the meaning of this convention. We are not left
even to seek for it by inference. We have the
letter of General Francis P. Blair, written, be-
lieve, less than week ago, and this letter has
been indorsed by that convention this afternoon,
by his nomination as their candidate for the Vice
Presidency. 1t is as much part of their plat
form as if it was Incorporated in it, for the ink
was hardly dry before it was indorsed by his
nomination. repeat, sir, this letter is part of
the Democratic platform. General Blair, what
ever you may say of him, is bold, outspoken
man, and he spoke the sentiments of that con-
venton He says "Upon these sentiments |
want to stand before the convention" And
upon these sentiments he was nominated. There
fore, say that the language Of the Democratic
Convention of New York to the whole country,
is war, resistance by force of arms to Congress
sonal legislation the overthrowing by force of
arms of the governments that have been created
in the rebel States under the laws enacted by
Congress the continuance of this struggle in a
somewhat different form, but still the struggle,
contending for the same principles. 1t is now
announced formally, not at Montgomery, nor at
| n. a1I
not be at loss to understand the character of
the contest upon which we are entering. 1t is
| not one of peace and acqliescence, of consolida-
ton, whereby the ravages of war may be re-
paired, but it is declaration of war to a
new announcement of the rebellion under some
what different circumstances, but under circum-
stances formidable, dangerous and solemn.


Let the country look the struggle in the face.
General Blair has said truly that all that has
been said about greenbacks and bonds and the
question of finance is mere nonsense. The great
issue is the question of overturnng the new
State governments by force, the restoration OF
the power of the rebels, or, as they call it, the
Write mans government, in those States, and all
the rest is leather and prunella. We owe debt
of gratitude to General Blair for his frankness-
There need be no deception practiced now, ana
| there can be none. There can be no other issue
presented substantially to us but that OF the fu-
ture prosperity of the country. If Seymour snail
be elected on that platform, he stands Piedged
to use the army of the United States for the pur-
pose of overturning the governments OF the
States that have been established in the South
by the whole people, and by that army to place
the power again into the hands OF the rebels
They were with him in that convention; they
have given to him their counsel they have iu-
dorsed Mr.. General Francis P. Blair. | know
we shall be told in the Northwest that they in
tend to have the same currency for the bond
holder and the laborer. They will proclaim the
taxation of the bonds as the great issue upon
which they expect to get votes; but that VIII
also be deception. The great issue underlying
the whole contest-and we have the solemn de-
claration of their candidate for Vice PRESIDENT 10
that effect-will be the renewal OF 'he war 10
ovartnrn tho state Governments that have just
been established under the acts OF congress.
General Blair has relieved the Republican party
or a great labor; has unmasked the enemy with
,rbom we have to deal, and he has placed before
the country the very issue-peace or war.