Official proceedings of the National Democratic convention, held at New York, July 4-9, 1868.: Reported by George Wakeman, official reporter of the Convention.

4'ATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
of religion, or the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press, or the right of the people to petition for redress of grievances." It secures the "right of a speedy and public trial by an impartial
jury."
No man can rightfully enter upon the duties of the Presidential office, unless
he is not only willing to carry out the wishes of the people, expressed in a
constitutional way, but is also prepared to stand up for the rights of minorities. He must be ready to uphold the free exercise of religion. He must
denounce measures which would wrong personal or home rights, or the
religious conscience of the humblest citizen of the land. He must maintain,
without distinction of creed or nationality, all the privileges of American
citizenship.
The experience of every public man who has been faithful to his trust
teaches him that no one can do the duties of the office of President, unless he
is ready not only to undergo the falsehoods and abuse of the bad, but to suffer
from the censure of the good, who are misled by prejudices and misrepresentations. There are no attractions in such a position which deceive my judgment, when I say that a great change is going on in the public mind. The
mass of the Republican party are more thoughtful, temperate, and just than
they were during the excitements which attended the progress and close of
the civil war. As the energy of the Democratic party springs from their
devotion to their cause and not to their candidates, I may with propriety
speak of the fact that never in the political history of our country has the
action of any like body been hailed with such universal and wide-spread enthusiasm as that which has been shown in relation to the position of the
National Democratic Convention. With this the candidates hdd nothing to
do. Had any others of those named -been selected, this spirit would have
been, perhaps, more marked. The zeal and energy of the conservative masses
spring from a desire to make a change of political policy, and from the confidence that they can carry out their purpose.
In this faith they are strengthened by the co-operation of the great body o.f
those who served in the Union army and navy during the war. Having given
nearly sixteen thousand commissions to the officers of that army, I know
their views and wishes. They demand the Union for which they fought.
The largest meeting of these gallant soldiers which ever assembled was held
in New York, and endorsed the action of the National Convention. In words
instinct with meaning, they called upon the government to stop in its policy
of hate, discord, and disunion, and, in terms of fervid eloquence, they demanded the restoration of the rights and liberties of the American people.
When there is such accord between those who proved themselves brave
and self-sacrificing in war, and those who are thoughtful and patriotic in
council, I cannot doubt we shall gain a political triumph which will restore
our Union, bring back peace and prosperity to our land, and will give us
once more the blessings of a wise, economical, and honest government.
I am, gentleman, truly yours, etc.,
HORATIO SEYMOUR.
To Gen. W. G. MORGAN, and others, Committee, etc., etc.
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