Year: 1872







GrRrz Browns Letter of Acceptance.


WASHINGTON, June 2.-The following is
the text of Governor Gratz Browns letter
accepting the nomination of the Cincinnati
convention:


ST. Louis, June Ii accept the nomina-
tlon as Wee President, and indorse most
cordially the resolutions setting forth the
principles upon which an appeal is made to
the whole people of the United States. A
century is closing upon our experience of a
republican government, and while that
lapse of time has witnessed the great ex-
pansion of our free institutions, vet it has
not been without illustriOus events, and
also grave dangers to the stability of such a
system. OF those successfully encountered,
it is needless to speak those which re-
main to menace us, most threatening, are
provided against. l firmly believe in the
wise and pacific measures proposed by your
platform. 1t has come to be practice OF
those elevated to positions of national
authority to regard the public service
but as a means to retain power.
This result, and in substituting mere
party organization for the government
itself, which constitutes control, amenable
to no laws OF mOralties, impairs all indie
pendent thought, enables a few to rule the
many, and makes personal allegiance the
road to favor. 1t requires trihing forecast
to perceive that this will wreck all our lib
critics unless there be interposed a timely
reform Of administration, from its highest
to its lowest station, which shall not only
prevent abuses, but likewise take away the
incentive to their practice. We are tired OF
the contentious that are carried on in avar-
ice of the Bp0ils. The country demands II
pose The Union ia fortified by more power
than ever before; it remains as an imperi
tive duty to cement our nationality by per-
feet reconciliation. At the North wldes
spread sympathy is aroused in behalf oI
those States OF the South which, long after
the termination of resistance to the rightful
federal authority, are still plundered un-
der guise of loyalty, and tyrannized
over in the name of freedom.
Along with this feeling, is at
present, too, recognition that in complete
amnesty alone can be found hope of any
return tc the constitutional government as
of old, or any development of more enduring
unity and broader national life in future.
Amnesty, however, 10 be eficacious, must
be real, not nOminal-genuine, not evasive-
it must carry along with equal rights, as
well as equal pBOtectiOn to all: For re-
mOval of the disabilities as to some, with
enforcement as I'd others, leaves room for
suspicion that that portion is measured by
political gain, and especially will such pro-
fessed elemency lie futile in presence of a
renewed attempt at prolOnging a suspen-
sion Of the habeas corpus. and persistent
resort to martial rather than civil law in
upholding those agencies used to ALLEVIATE
the races, when concord is most essential,
and in preparing for another elaborate
campaign on a basis of dead issues
and arbitrary intervention; all will rightly
credit such conduct as but mOckery of
amnesty and. demand an administration
which can give better warrant of honesty
in the real work of reconstruction and re-
form. In array of sectional interests, a
republic so wide as is ours, is never en-
tirely safe from atrociOus conflicts. These
become still more dangerous when compli-
Gated with questions of taxation, where
unequal burdens are levied TO be imposed
on one import at the expense OF another
import. 1t was a bold as well as admirable
policy in the interest as well as future tran
quillty, to withdraw the decision of indus
trial and revenue matters from the virtual
arbitration of an electoral college chosen
with the single animating purpose of par
ties ascendancy, and refer them for a more
direct popular expression to each congress
siOnal district. Instead of being muzzled
by some evasive declaration, the country is
thereby invited to its frankest utterances
and sections which would revolt at being
uCu4Gu Il NOAJO OubO1 uClCLCuCG u ObLCE SUI
cess, would be content to acquiesce in gen.
eral judgment, honestly elected. If local
government be, 'and it undoubtedly is,
the most vital principle of our institu-
tions, much advance will be made toward es-
tablishing it by enabling people to pass upon
questions so nearly affecting their well-be
ing dispassionately through their local
representations. The precipitance which
would force controlling declaration on tax
or tariff through Presidential candidacy is
only disguised form of Capitalization, in
vOlving hazardous reaches of executive in
huences. conclusion will be much more
impartially determined, and with less dis
turbance to trade and finance, by appealing
to the most truthful and diversified local
expression. Industrial Issues can be likewise
emancipated from the power of great
menopOlies and each representative held to
fidelity toward his immediate constituents.
These are the most prominent features OF
that general concert of action which pro-
poses to replace the present administration
by one more in sympathy with the aspira-
tiOns of the masses of our country
men. OF course such concert can not
be attained by thrusting every minor or
past difference into the foreground, and it
will be for the people first TO determine
whether these objects are of such magni-
tude and present urgency as to Justify them
in doing other adjustments until the cOun-
try shall be first restored to free suffrage,
by official declaration, ana
ours becomes in fact free republic, re-
leased from all apprehensiOns of a central
domination. Without referring in detail to
the various other propositions embraced in
the resolutions of the convention, but see
ing how they they all contemplate a restOr-
alton of power to the people, peace to the
nation, purity of the government; that they
condemn the attempt to establish an ascen-
dancy Of military over civil rule, and affirm
with explicitness the maintenance of equal
freedom to all citizens, irrespective to race,
previous condition, or pending disabilities.
I have only to pledge again my sincere CO.
operation.


! have the honor to remain, very respect
fully, yours.


ID CD ATTY DDOyyN