Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-05-06
LETTER FROM JOHN NJ. coz.
MILWAUKEE, April 80, 1858.


Editors Telegraph -
GENTLEMEN /: In your last issue, YOU ami
madvert upon passage in my lecture before the
Teachers Association, or rather upon my political
course as illustrative of it, Permit me four brief
remarks upon your criticism.
lst The passage you quoted, together with one
on the same subject which you did not quote were
not dragged into their connection officiously and
extemporaneously, as might seem TO your readers
who had not read the lecture: but were a natural
offspring of my course of statement of the obsta
cleS to Universal Education. What | said was
exactly within the sphere of my subject.
End. Slavery is by the common confession of
every body, a hindrance to Education. They are
natural, necessary enemies. Now suppose in my
catalogue of obstacles to Education, had omitted
the mention of Slavery. How instantly the Tel
graph would or could have exclaimed e See that
cowardly Old bunker, who dares not open his lips
and speak out the whole truth about the institu-
ton, for fear of the visitation of party wrath" If
do mention it, the outcry is, :" Here is one who
is decidedly hard shell, that has had the AFRO
gance to talk about Slavery, and against it. Is
not that style of talk our peculiar thunder -
w hat right has he to NEEDLE with it. unless he join
our party g Alas Gentlemen this tyranny is
almost as bad as negro slavery, and is worse than
have ever felt the pressure Of in the Democratic
| ranks. We speak as we think when we deem it
suitable, and we imagine any man would have a
free speech the especial and joint permit and en-
actment of God, Nature, and the Constitution of
the United States / greatly fear that, in your
eyes, as is true of sinner in the purview of ON
niscience, the hottest thing hardshell ever did, is
total deprayity, and nothing short
3rd / do not understand what you mean by de-
signaling me as decidedly a hardshell! I am not
conscious that | am sinner above the rest of the
Democrats. Indeed have always accounted my
self As one Of the least of these my brethren"
4th. Where you arraign me for inconsistency
/ in speaking against Slavery, while | remain a
member ofthe Democratic party, You assume as q
thing to be granted, the very gst of the contro-
versy between the Freesoilers and Democrats |
do not admit, | utterly deny that l cannot hold
and speak the sentiments of my lecture which you
have quoted, and ut the same time consistently
adhere to the Old Democratic Party.
My purpose is not here to discuss my views, but
simply to state them | sincerely hold this party
to be The PARTY, the only party which can and
will carry on to the end, to its glorious fullment,
the grand experiment of Self Government; that
the hearts of its MASSES are right unaterably right
on the question of Human Rights the world over.
My judgement approves of its principles of Pub
lie Policy. In practice it may not it does not re-
present my private views some subjects fully
and Slavery is one. But think it is nearest right
as whole, taking into the account every question
of public concernment. And if we look at the
great idea of the Freesoers, it is to be feared
that their bitterness and violence have been equal
! ly great and equally disastrous as the lukewarm-
ness of the Democrats. Each wing of the great
party which the slavery agitation cut in twain has
by mutual repulsion perhaps been driven from
/ that middle line wherein lies the truth and which
the whole party should have harmoniously follow
ed out. If the Telegraph thinks that l fear TO
DO what conscience dictates be done let it bear
in mind that speaking against is rank treason as
acting against the darling institution. Speaking
is acting therefore it is at once both Faith and
Works, if the speaking be sincere. What the
Telegraph really means by Faith harmonizing
with Works." is nominally to join the Freesoil
party and spend ones life in beating the air )"
to fall into place in its machinery, and continue
the sacrifice of individuality by exchanging one
master for another.
! l am gentlemen,