Year: 1872

Governor B. Gratz Brown, of Missouri,


the nominee of the Liberal Republican
Convention for the Vice Presidency, was


serenaded at Jefferson City, Mo-, On the
evening of the 7th inst. In response to


numerous calls, Governor Brown replied in


speech, the substance of which we have


only space to lay before our readers:


Fellou- Citizens, Friends, and Neigh
bors: Many thanks to you for this kind
greeting and congratulatIon, which know


is sincere and not merely formal, because
| of the multiplied evidences of good will in
| the past I see already the


press of the opposition are seizing upon


some of the incidents of the late conven-


ton, distorting their significance and seek
ing to SOW the seeds of jealousy between


those who have been co-workers thus far


in the cause of liberalism. The attempt


is made to place the most distinguished
and brilliant champion of our cause, Sena-
tor Schurz, in an attitude of humiliation
and defence, and to imply that, as between
him and myself, there has been some bad
faith | know this is delicate ground to
travel over, and yet feel that it is due to





one can that be done with more knowledge
than myself. | have, therefore, to state to
you all, who are our mutual friends, that
such reports are utterly without foundation.


AS to policies and platforms there has been
accord. and, holding the conspicuous posi-
ton which his genius and energy assigned
him-earnest first Of all for the success of
the convention, he did not feel at liberty to
10 oil aHr Of 4,


date, and, least of all, one from his State.
| appreciated and concurred in the eleva-
ton of sentiment which dictated this
course, and have to say that, in all his
bearing, he was manly and sincere What
he contributed to the inauguration of that
magnificent assemblage of independent
thought of the Republican party, the world
knows. If, in honor of such an achieve
ment there can be defeat, then | know
not the meaning of the term.
Although not intending to enter upon any
general discussion, yet there is one matter
of sufficient interest to US here at home to
demand a moments reference. 1t was
thought by many that the question of rev
enue reform would be shaped into some
practical form part of the platform, and
surprise has been felt at its omission but |
am sure all doubt on this point will vanish |
when it is considered that the action of the |
convention in referring this industrial issue |
to the people in congressional districts, I
pledglng the executive to respect that will, !
was the necessary and logical consequence |
OF opposition to the centraiizing tendency |
Of the general government. 1t is there |
such matters should be decided, unbiased |
and uninfuenced by federal influence, and |
it is thus, and thus only, the people can
best indicate the reforms they desire and !
are entitled 10 have carried out. National |
parties are in a large measure types Of fed !
erI authority, and to subordinate thus an
expression on the tariff, or any Of these in
terror domestic rolices, is sure to be at the
expense Of all truth Of uttcrance. A de-
termination would be thus imposed in ad-
vance on the people, would be adapted to
party exigencics, and would not come free
ly forth as the well-canyassed sentiment of
the nation. 1t was deemed wisest, there
fore, to get rid of such centralizing innu-
ence, and make reference of these mat
ters and all others of like import to locai-
ties for expression, and with such course
those, surely, of all others, who believe
most sincerely in the necessities of revenue
reform and its ability to commend itself TO
the confidence Of our citizens, will have the
least reason to find fault. 1t is a local
choice we demand as to ali matters of local
concern, and a local expression AS to all
matters of national concern, uninfuenced
and uncontrolled either by federal author
ity or its organized partisan type, that we
must first contend for and achieve.


Friends and fellow citizens, cannot con-
clude without urging you again, as | have
done in the past, to be up and doing if you
value your liberties. They are threatened
more seriously, than many of you realize,
by a military ascendency laying its lines
for the o,.trol Of popular elections by COR
rupt practices and official intervention.
On the other hand, you have presented to
yea in the person of the distinguished can
didate for the presidency named at Gin
cinnati, a guarantee of peace amnesty,
reconciliation, and reformed administration.
No man has ever dared to say that Horace
Greeley was not an honest man. He may
not be what some would call Il fine gentle |
man, of elegant manners and finished pres
ence, and he may be addicted to what are !
considered by them as low and common |
pursuits, such as farming stock raising, |
looking after the INDECENT, gathering sup
plies for the starving abroad and illustrating
in all ways philant'- lhy at home But l
tell you, friends, that old white hat of his |
covers the largest brain and shadows the |
softest heart in America. Let me add, |
moreover, and be pardoned for saying, that
as to the matter of executive ability, | be-
lieve the man who has served ont long life
in the conduct of great leading journal,re
quiring administrative talent of the highest
order, and giving body and form to public
opinion upon the most intricate questions
of foreign complication, will be found bet
ter qualified for the position to which he is
sure to be exalted than any other who may
be selected from camp or congress