Year: 1876

restore the ancient purity of their Govern
ment.'


Fell0w-citizens. the undersigned, in ad-
dressing you, are not animated by the am-
bltion to form or lead new political party.
Most of us have long been and still are
warmly attached TO our party associations.
1t would be most gratifying to Us to see by
party action candidates put forward whose
character and record answer those require
ments which present circumstances render
imperative. We earnestly hope and trust
it will be so. We shall gladly follow such
lead, and make every effort in our power
to render it successful. But, while we are
ready to accept any and every good result
OF party action, we affirm that the moral
reform of our public concerns is infinitely
superior in Importance to the interests OF
any political party. Glad TO promote that
reform through party action, we shall in
sist upon it at all events, should party ac-
tion fail Experience teaches US that the
habitual submission of good citizens to a
choice Of evils presented to them by party
organizations is one of the most prolific
causes OF corruption IN our politics. The
acceptance by the people of the argument
that one party may be bad and still entitled
to the support OF good men. because the
other party is still worse, will induce each
to consider how bad it may safely be. 1t
will strengthen in each the power of the
most INSCRIPTIONS element. and subject the
will OF the people to the subtle tyranny of
organization welded by those who live by
politics. To break that tyranny by stern
refusal to submit to such choice of evils is
the first beginning in the reform of our po-
litical life. Without this all other steps
will prove unsvailing. We shall sincerely
rejoice to see the necessity of Independent
action avoided. We earnestly hope that
the efforts 10 this end being made by the
friends of reform within party lines will be
crowned with success. and that the just ex-
pectations oft people may not be doomed
TO disappointment. Indeed. we are conf
dent. if all those of our fellow-citizens who
in their hearts agree with what we have
said will only take the courage openly to
proclaim their convictions and purpose.
such a manifestation alone would produce an
effect sufficient to secure a nomination and an
election inauguratiDg better order of
things.


We therefore appeal to all good citizens
who find their own sentiments expressed in
this address. be they inside or outside of
party lines, to organize in their respective
districts and communicate with the Execu-
tive Committee appointed at this meeting,
so that efficient corporation may become
possible. Let no effort be spared in bring
ing the influence of patriotic public opin
ion TO bear upon those who in the customa-
~ way are sOOn to nominate the party can
ddates and then. in any event, let Us be
ready to do what the best interests of the
Republic demand.


Our generation has to open the second
century of our national life, a. the fathers
opened the first. Theirs was the work of
independence. ours is the work of refOrma-
tion. The one is as vital now as the other
was then. Now, as then. every true Ameri
can must have the courage of his duty.


CARL SCHUR1, of Missouri, Chairman.


MARTIN BRIMMER, OF Massachusetts,.


l.. F. ). FOSTER, of Connecticut.


PARKE GOODWIN, of New York.


JohS W. HOYT, of W iscOnsin.


Published by order of the conference.


Signed by Theodore Woolsey, President.
Nice-Presidents, and Secretaries.