The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1860-03-22
From the Cleveland Herald.
Edward Bates.

against the nomination of Mr.. Bates al
Chicago that he is not a Republican. Up
on this point will you please publish the
following extracts from letter signed "a
4Nissou,, Emancipationist," in the New
York Tribune OF March 9th.
One thing seems very clear, that If Mr.
Bates should be nominated the cause Of
Emancipation in Missouri W ould receive a
momentum which would hasten its speedy
triumph. 7Hat triumph will do more fol
the cause Of Freedom than thousand
Republican victories in the Free States
1t would demonstrate the problem wheth.
er Slave State can be safely changed
into Free State, which is the only thing
needed to give the cause Of Emancipation
in Kentucky, Virginia. Maryland and
Delaware accelerated force.
... .. REPUBLICAN,.
"Let me ask you in what particular
Mr.. Bates is not as truly and purely a
representative of the principles of the
Republican party as Mr.. Chase, or Mr..
Seward himself? l understand that the
cardinal principle of the Republican par
ty IS opposition to the extension of Slave
ry over the Territories. Mr.. Bates has
stood upon that principle always. and as
unswervingly as any man in the nation.
He has opposed, and does oppose. the
Slavery propogandism of the Democratic
party as sternlv y as Mr. Chase, Mr.. Sc-
ward, or any Republican living.
But if Republicanism means more than
mere opposition to the extension Of Slave,
ry-whlch is sort of a negative position
-ifitmeans an enlig ghtened and Christian
protest against the institution itself, as a
"relic of barbarism," then let me ask who
more nobly represents that Rcpublcon
idea than Edwards Bates, of Missouri,
who, born to the heritage of Slavery ,and
swathed from his cradle in the prejudices
in favor Of the same system, yet had the
moral ken TO see through its pernicious
nature, and the moral courage, amid a
slaveholding people, to uncol the folds oil
the hydra from around his household and
stand forth an Emancipationst in practice
years before the great lights of the Gre
publican party" such as Mr.. Seward and
Mr.. Chase, had elevated the grounds Of
emancipation into illustrious political
pri' ciples! Why, twenty years ago,
twenty years before the present Republi.
can party was formed or thought Of, Ed
ward Bates held and was quietlp work
ing out in practice the fundamental prin.
ciples OF Republicanism. Mr.. Bates is
indeed one of the Fathers of the Faith,
of which Mr.. Seward and Mr.. Chase
are certainly honored and able apos-
ties.
But let me ask further, in order TO
arrive at the true luster Of Mr. Bates
position-Does Rppublicanism mean even
something more than the non. extension
OF slavery, and something more than a
protest against the institution itself as a
''relice of barbarism?" Does it mean,
also, positive vlndication Of Free Labor,
as the only honest agency by which a
man may elevate himself in society,"
Then what is the record Of Mr.. Bates on
this point? Not only did he emancipate
all the slaves that ever came into his
possession, but he did it wisely and hu.
namely, as wel-considered scheme of
life. He did not turn them adrift, igno.
rant, helpless, and unprorided for, to be,
come paupers and pest 10 society, but
he carefully instructed them, and pre-
pared them for freedom, and established
them as we'll as be could in life, so that
they might be self-supporting, and useful
10 society. And ope of them, at least
an intelligent boy--he educated thorough
ly, and sent to Liberia, to be what he
really is-a missionary Of civilization and
Christianity among to heather tribes Of
his kindred race. While Mr.. Bates was
doing this work Of Humanity for de-
pendent class by this unaided Free Las
Dor, he was at the same time rearing
and educating one of the largest families
Of his own that God ordinarily gives to
men. Excuse me that mention here the
particular fact that the wife Of Mr. Bates
South Carolina lady, has borne him in
their long married life seventeen children
eight Of whom survives. Consider these,
two families, sir, the White and the
Black, that Mr.. Bates has provided for,
as Christian father and phlanhropist,
and tell me what citizen Of this great re-
public has more gloriousiy illustrated
the dignity and power OF Free Labor?--
Is it any wonder that Mr.. Bates has al
ways been poor-too poor to be politi
clan and an office>seeker--too poor to
occupy seats in Congress and in Cabinets,
which he had the opportunity to occupy.
but declined because be had 'work to
do, "and could not afford 10 hold office?
Let any candid and true-hearted man in
the world consider the relative efforts Of
Mr.. Bates. Mr.. Chase, and Mr.. Seward.