Year: 1868

4


| WAsnINGToN, July 10.


Senator Morton's speech in the Senate
last cycningi is commented on by all Re
publicans as striking the keynote of the
present campaign. 1t was, in full, as fol
lows:


Mr.. Morton. l do notrisc so much TO
discuss the various propositions relative
TO counting the electoral vote, as to say
that am for that 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-
pose. desire, however, TO say word in
regard TO the importance of this measure.
We have been noting the proceedings of a
convention held in the city of New York.
which has but just adjourned. have
read theresoluiions adopted by the con
vcniion, the platform of principles j, has
laid down, and upon which its candidates
have been placed, and | wish 10 call the
attention of the Senate 10 the issue that is
presented to the country by this platform.
anl 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, "Lct us have war;
there shall he no peace" They have de-
clared In substance, in direct terms, that
the reconstruction 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 our troubles, except
upon the condition Of the triumph of those
who have been in rebellion. This plat
form and these nominations arc declara-
ton OF a renewal OF the rebellion. Let me
call your attention TO part of the eighth
resolution in regard TO this very question.
In speaking Of the reconstruction of the
States, they go 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 rebellion putting them all up
on the same footing, and that any attempt
by Congress on any pretexs whatever, that
is, upon the pretext of the rebellion, ifyou
please, TO deprive any State of this right,
or interfere with its exercise is fragrant
usurpation of power which can find no
warrant in the constitution, and if sane
toned by the people will subvcrt our form
of government. They declare that the in
reference of Congress with suffrage in the
States that have been in rebellion, though
that interference may he absolutely ncces-
sary as we have found it, to the recon-
struction of the States is unconstitutional,
and that no justification can be found for
it, and that il will subvcrt our form of gov
ernment. This convention has called up
ON the rebels of the South to regard these
governments organized by authority of the
acts of Congress by the people of those
States as usurpations, unconstitutional and
void, and has thereby invited them again
to insurrection and rebellion That is
what the resolution means. There is
where the Democratic party has placed it.
self and its candidates-that there shall be
no acquiescnce in the action of Congress.
but that continued resistance is and shall
be their policy. They have replied 10
General Grant by saying, .'Thcre shall be
no peace, but the war shall be renewed" +"
There can be no other policy for that par
ty unless it acquicsccs. Ii ii does not ac-
cept thes, Reconstruction acts there can
be no policy but that of resistance and a
renewal of the war. They declare these
Reconstruction acts to be unconstitutional
and void. Being void, nobody is bound to
regard them. They have no authority
over any one TO cocrce or to punish, and
may be resisted by any one with impunity.
That is not the language of this resolution,
but il is the substance and meaning Of it,
and in consequence of this it received the
endorsement and the appreciation of the
hundreds OF rebels who were in that con-
vention from the South-men who organ
lied the rebel government and organized
and led the rebel armies in battle.


This, then, is the issue. A continuance
of the war arenewal of the rebellion, be-
cause 1t is either that or it is submission,
acquicscence to what has been done. But,
Mr.. President, we are not left to gropc 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, / believe, less than one week
ago, and this letter has been endorsed by
that convention This afternoon. by his
nomination as their candidate for the Vice
Presidency. 1t is as much a part Of their
platform as If it was Incorporated in it, for