Year: 1872

After the President and Nice-Presi-
dents of the Philadelphia Convention
had formerly notified Grant of his
nomination for the Presidency, they
visited the Capitol, where Judge Settle,
addressing Senator Wilson, said he had
a very grateful duty to perform, under
the instructions of the Philadelphia Ma
tional Convention, and handed him a
letter informing him OF his nomination
for the ice-Presidency, and added that
be was sure he could not, even If he at
tempted, give an idea Of the enthusiasm
which prevailed at the convention.


: Senator Wilson made the follow ng
impromptu reply: 1 will, in a day or
two, give you am answer in writing to
this Communication. l take this Occa-
sion, however, to thank you and the
members of the convention you repre-
sent for this manifestation of confidence,
for, as l neither asked nor wrote to any
member of the convention to give
me vote, / am all the more
grateful for their generous support. I
am grateful, too, for the friendly tone of
the Republican press Of the country.
For thirty-six years In public life, and
in private life, l have striven to main
tain the distinguishing idea Of the Re
publican party, of freedom and equality
of all men. / have striven ever to be
true to my country and to the rights of
our common humanity; oknow no sec
tiOnal interest, or race, or color. In the
future, as in the past, / shall unfalter-
ingly adhere to these principles which
are the convictions Of my Judgment,
heart and conscience. | am clearly of
the opinion that the great soldier who
rendered such illustrious services to the
country in the great civil war, will be
reelected President of the United
States. His humanity to the vanquish-
ed, his firmness to vindicate the rights
of the humblest and the most defence
less, and his devotion to the leading
ideas Of the Republican party cannot be
questioned. ] esteem 1t 8 high honor to
be associated with him in the coming
contest. While l am grateful to the
friends who gave me such generous
support, l honor those who adhered
with such devotion to Mr.. Colfax. We
have been personal and political friends
for nearly twenty years, and it Is source
of profound satisfaction to me that our
present relations have not been
disturbed by the recent contest,
ana Wnlle L blldll never cease 10
feel grateful TO the friends who honored
me by their support. / shall ever enter
tain sincere respect for those who deemed
it to be their duty TO give their support
to Others. hope we shall all strive to
win to our support every honest and
patriotic man in the country; every man
true to the rights Of humanity; every
man who would elevate the condition of
toiling millions, and have our republic
become a great Christian nation-an ex-
ampleto the world. Let it be under
stood that our ranks are wide open to
receive all devoted to country, and who
would advance the happiness and gene
raj well-being Of all sections of the land
and all conditions of the people. We
Republicans should offer the hand of
reconciliation to all fair-minded and
honorable men, and use all legitimate
means to achieve success for the honor
and salvation Of the country, as well as
for that of the party which saved the
Union and established freedom in every
part Of the land.