eRDDRESS

OF THE DEMOCRATIC CREPUBLICAN


MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
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MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.


Alta meeting of Republican members Of
the Senate and House of Representatives held
at the Capitol, July 6, 1888, the Hon. JOHN
M. NILES. of Connecticut and the Hon.
CHARLES E. HAYNES, of Georgia being
Chairmen, and the Hon. GEORGE M. KEIM,
ofPennsvlvania, and the Hon. H. L. TURNEY,
of Tennessee, acting as Secretaries, the Ad
dress to the People of the United States was
received, and further considered; whereupon,
on motion ofthe Hon. Hiram Gray, of New
York, it was


Resolved, That the address be signed and
published by the committee who have prepar
ed it in behalf of the Republican members Of
Congress.


JOHN N; N, NILES, Y gl and Chairmen
aseH5z: ase' M.knln' /: T0'sHr' and Secretaries.


In country advancing with the rapidity
of ours, great changes, having a powerful
control over it's political relations and future
destiny must not unfrequently occur, which
may make it the duty Of those intrusted, for
the time, with the management of public at
fairs, in order to avoid misapprehension, to
publish an exposition of their principles and
purposes. Such are the changes which have
taken place within the last few years, and
which have already had great effect on the
political condition of the country, and are
destined still to have much greater hereafter.
Among these may be enumerated the final
payment of the public debt; the expiration
of the charter Of the u. States Bank, without
renewal; the fall of the nlisnamed American
system; the rise and progress of abolition !;
and finally the stoppage Of payment by the
banks, with the consequent embarrassment to
the community, and the fiscal action of the
Government Never, in so short a period,
since the commencement of the Government,
have so many events, destined to effect so
mighty change in our political condition,
occurred. That their first effect would be to
unsettle public opinion was to be expected ;
and accordingly there never was a time, when
the political elements of the country were IN
state of greater confusion, and when 1t was
more important that those who are lntrusted
with the management of public affairs, should
recur to first principles, and give full and
explicit exposition of their views.


Actuated by these considerations, the Re-
publican members of Congress, about to re-
turn to their constituents, propose to lay be,
fore them brief exposition Of the principles
by which they have been guided, and intend
hereafter to be governed, on some OF the most





and to be acted on, in the councils ofthe Gen
eral Government.


We are deeply sensible that too much has
been expected from the deliberations of Con
press. A numerous and powerful party has
induced large portion of the people to looE
alone to the Congress of the United States to-
relief They are taught to believe that from
thence alone can enanate the measures re
quired to restore the country to peace, quiet
and happiness, unmindful that we have
written Constitution to control those who ad
minister the various departments OF the Gen
eral Government. Many appear to thlni
that Congress can do any and every thlns
called for at this novel crisis in the affairs o
the country. To guard against the turthel
progress of this fatal delusion, and to exonerat
ourselves from unreasonable responsibility
we propose, at the threshold OF this address
to present a concise history, touching tn
character of the Federal Constitution, and tn
origin of the two great political parties Whici
have divided, and will probably forever dIVld
the American people.


There were radical differences of opinion
in the convention which formed the Constltu
ton. They laid the foundation OF thoS
parties which have at intervals ever sine
agitated, and at this moment deeply agltat'
the whole country.


A portion of the convention, from Stron
partiality for the British form of Government
desired to approximate as near that system &
public opinion in America would allow
From them came propositions for Presider
and Senate for life, elections for long term
and other fundamental arrangements, whic
should remove the Government as far {
possible from popular control. Another po
tion having more confidence in the INTEL