The position carried with it an element of deception, because every intelligent man knew that it would be impossible to force negro suffrage on the Southern States by National authority, and leave the Northern States free to exclude it from their own domain.

It was an extraordinary proposition that the South, after all the demoralization wrought by the war, should be called upon to exhibit a higher degree of political justice and virtue than the North was willing to practice.
On the financial issue the platform was earnest and emphatic.

It denounced all forms of repudiation as a national crime, and demanded the payment of the public debt in the utmost good faith, according to the letter and the spirit of the law.

The resolutions reflected universal Republican feeling in an impassioned arraignment of President Johnson.

At the same time they commended the spirit of magnanimity and forbearance with which those who had taken up arms against the Union were received into fellowship with loyal men, and favored the removal of all political disabilities as rapidly as was consistent with public safety.
When the preliminary business of the Convention had been concluded, John A.Logan, in a vigorous and eloquent speech, presented the name of General Grant for President.