Year: 1868

The first day of the session of the Repub-
lican National Convention was characterized
by unanimity and enthusiasm. Although
the Opera House in which the Convention
was held accommodated only about 1000
persons, nearly twice that number were
packed within the building. The house was
handsomely decorated, especially the stage
which was set apart exclusively for repre-
sentatives of the press. officers of the Con-
vention, &C. Among the audience were
many Of the delegates wives and daughters,
who took as much interest in the proceedings
as the men.


The Convention was not called to order
until some time after the hour appointed
two o'clock-and a little impatience was
manifested by the audience.


When Goo. Ward stepped forward he was
received with applause, and his speech was
listened to with close attention. His asser-
tion that neither armed treason nor political
treachery could prevent the fulfllment of the
mission of the Republican party, thrilled
the audience, who arose and gave three trc-
first mentioned the greatest enthusiasm of
the audience burst forth Then Bisbon
Simpson followed in fervent ana eloquent
prayer, after which Gov. Ward said that the
National Executive Committee had agreed
upon the nomination of Gen. Carl Schurz as
/ temporary cHdlTuldU- Il nomination Wllcll
was unanimously approved.


As Gen Schurz ascended the PLATFORM es-
corted by Col. Thompson of Indiana. and
Lyman Tremaine of New York, the Conven-
tion rose and gave him three cheers His
speech was excellent. cogent in statement,
and bold and brave in spirit, and is as follows


ADDRESS OF GEN sCHURz


GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION 1t is
difficult for me to express how highly | ap-
preciate the honor you have conferred upon
me by this appointment You will permit
me to offer you my sincere thanks. This is
the fourth National Convention of the Re
publican party. The short career of that
party has been marked by events to which
the coming generation will point with pride
admiration, and gratitude. The Republican
party was born, and in its very infancy it
grappled with the prejudice of a race which
until then seemed to be Omnipotent with
the masses Of the American people Our first
onset broke through that and carried
ABRAHAM LINCOLN into the Executive Chair
of this Republic. as the great champion of
the Anti-Slavery cause. Then came the
shareholders Rebellion, and the loyal peo-
pie of the country displayed heroism, devo-
ton and perseverance under obstruction
example to all nations of the earth. Ap.
plause The result of the struggle cores
ponded 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 bond
men have been raised from the dust and from
their ancient degradation and this dav
these States, the peculiar condition of which
was but recently disgrace to the Ameri-
can name, return to us under the national
banner, which is at least, as it ought ever to
have been, great national emblem of JUS
tice. Universal Liberty, and Equal Rights
1AppIause All these things have been
accomplished under Republican auspices ;
and without indulging in vain self-glorifica-
ton. it may truly be said that the history
of the Republican party is closely identified
with the noblest achievements of this coun-
trv. [Applause. But new problems equal
" great are now before us. We have to Sc
cure the results which have already been
accom- mplished and to prevent unfavorable
reaction we have to adapt the institutions
of this country to the new order of things.
The solution of this problem will require a
great enthusiasm-greater devotion and
greater perseverance than the struggles which
lie behind us. 1t will require that calm
craftsmanship which consists of clear
comprehension of the objects to be oh
tanned, 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 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 IA time of disappointment Our
policy was thwarted by the verv men
put upon the road to power. The legislative
and executive branches of the Government
were pitted against each 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 that? Are we now
to be disturbed by the mere appearance of
danger? Are not the principles we advocate
lust 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 defenders of justice, right, and truth to-
dav, as we were yesterday? What, then.
is there t. frighten even the most pusillani,
nous of US? l say victory will be true to
the Republican party, as long as the Repub-
Tcan party is true to itself. [Applause I
Wha. we have to do is this Let us fix our
eyes firmly upon the noble ends to be at