Year: 1867

The National Union Committee appeals
to the Republicans of every State. for
their assistance and cooperation in this
auspicious crisis of our country.


We deem it of the highest importance
that the Republicans of each State should
Immediately reorganize for the remain
ing elections of 1867, preparatory to the
coming Presidential contest. Especially
should this organization be Immediately
effected in those States which have never
before recognized as the only just basis of
government the equal and inalienable
rights of man. Not day should be lost
in forming and Strengthening within those
States a public sentiment in consouance
with the principles which underlie the
great Political organization to which we
belong


To this end, we desire to prosecute a
systematic and thorough canvass of the
Southern States, by the most efficient
speakers of both races. We would seo-
ond their efforts by distribution of doc
uments, enforcing the principles, policy
and aims of the Republican party. We
would call, in every locality where it is
possible, meetings for discussion, where
those who are with us in principle may
learn to act with unity and energy. =
These measures are required to bring out
the vote of that large body of Repub-
lican Uniopists who now render the
Southern States battle of princi-
pie. 1t is the pressing need of the hour
that bold, judicious aud able men, thor
oughly imbued with our creed, should
there explain our principles, establish our
faithfulness to them, and prove that ma
tional greatness and human freedom de-
pend upon the permanent triumph of our
cause


Beyond this, it is most essential that
We should now establish in those States,
Free Thought, Free Speech and Free
Press. Every part of this Republic must
be open to the discussion of principles
and measures. This must bs sustained,
as cardinal point in our creed, at any
and every hazard. Efforts to intimidate
the humble and ignorant voter on the
part of the Southern planter, must be
met with the spirit of freemen, and the
determination which just cause sane
tions.


In time past, the Republican party has
struggled against the unjust reproach of
being sectional in its aims and character,
though its purposes and its means of ef-
fecting them were such as the fathers of
the Republic approved. 1t was accused
of being governed by selfish motives, and
of desiring to aggrandise the North at the
expense of the South. Its adversaries,
having the power to silence and to crush
all opposition, denied all discussion, and
overawed even freedom Of thought in 6f-
teen States Of the Union. 1t is, there
fore, now an imperative duty, which we
owe to our party and to ourselves, to en-
brace The first opportunity of truly repre-
senting to those States how consistently
we have contended for the interests, wei
fare and freedom of the whole Union.


The overthrow of Slavery and the Re
bellion, and the enfranchisenent of the
freedmen, rendering this overthrow Sc
cure and final, have happily vindicated
our course and organization but it is
necessary to stamp the conviction of our
loyalty and fidelity to the right, irrespec-
tive of section or race, upon the recon
structed States. For the first time in
many years, the enthusiastic followers Of
our flag aud confessors of our faith are
there taking part in the popular gather
ings. and in many of the Southern States,
We have reason to believe that they form
a decided majority. They are, however,
with organization, aud lack the cohesion
and discipline necessary to success. Three
fourths of the Republicans have never
voted, and have no practical knowledge OF
the means whereby the popular will is
expressed with many of them, the habit
is fixed, of rendering implicit obedience
to able and dcxterous politicians who are
implacably hostile to our principles and
determined on the prostration of our
cause.


Our immediate action is therefore i'm
perative. We cannot delay without i'm
periling all for which so much has been
sacrificed in the past. Confident in our
strength in the North, the West, and the
Pacific States, we must not forget that
we have great duty to perform toward
the loyal and true msn of the South


REPUBLICANS! our appeal is to you, to
carry on and to sustain the work which a
few loyal aud true men have SO nobly be-
gun. We cannot ask speakers, in addi.
ton to giving their time and talents for
months to this labor, to defray their own
necessary expenses. We cannot print
aud distribute documents Of the charac.
ter required without heavy outlay. We
have no means or reliance except upon
the generous spirit of that great party
which hold. the claims of Humanity and
Freedom above all price. The patronage
of the Government brought into power
by the craftsmanship, the courage, and
the loyalty of that party, will not aid US
in this poUd work