White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-03-29
Correspondence of the n Y Tribune.l
Mr.. Bates Vindicated % q Republican

WASHINGTON, Saturday, Mech z, loov'
Every candid man in ths 5untry must
admit that the Tribune has treated the
names of gentlemen proposed as Repub-
lican candidates for the Presidency with
singular fairness and justice, If any
thing can secure unanim;ty and happy
result of the deliberations Of the Nation
al Republican Convention at Ohicago,
the course it is pursuing will certainly
succeed.
But as friend Of Edward Bates, ]
have somewhat against the Tribune. l
will easily convince you that you have
not done Mr. Bates justice in admitting
that any man in the nation is more thor
oughlY than he representative Of the
principles Of the Republican party. Your
language on this subject has been about
this: eff the Republicans deem them
selves sufficiently strong to carry their
candidate by the mere force of their prin-
ciples and their sole party organization.
then Mr.. Seward or Mr.. Chase should be
the nominee at Chicago. But If there is
doubt of success in presenting purely Re-
publican candidates, then it would be the
part of wisdom to nominate Mr.. Bates,
sko has not been identified nth the Re-
publican party, but who will be cordial
ly supported by the Opposition of Mis-
souri,, and by thousands of others whose
votes on our side could not otherwise be
obtained" 1t is upon this that the editors
of the New York Courier and Enquirer
and of the Administering have charged
you with a willingness to sacrifice the
principles of the Republican party merely
for the gross and unworthy end Of obtain
ing possession of the offices of the Gov
eminent.
Let me ask you in what particular Mr..
Bates is not as truly and purely repre-
sentative of the principles of the Repub-
lican party as Mr.. Chase, or Mr.. Seward
himself? / understand that the cardinal
principle of the Republican party is OPP
position to the extension Of slavery over
the Territories. Mr.. Bates has stood up
on that principle always. and as answer
vingly as any man in the nation. He
has opposed, and does oppose. the slavery
propagandism of the Democratic party as
sternly as Mr. Chase, Mr.. Seward, or
any Republican living. But if Repnbli-
canism means more than mere opposition
to the extension of slavery-which is a
sort of negative position-if it means an
enlightened and Christian protest against
the institution itself, as ''relic of bar
barism," let me ask you who more nobly
represents that Republican idea than Ed
ward Bates of Missouri, who, born to the
heritage of slavery, and swathed from his
cradle in the prejudices in favor of the
slave system. yet had the moral ken to
see through its pernicious nature, and the
moral courage, amid slaveholding peo-
pie, to uncoil the folds of the hydra from
around his household, and stand forth an
emancipationist in practice years before
the great lights of the Republican par
ty," such as Mr. Seward and Mr.. Chase,
had elevated the grounds of emancipation
into illustrious political principles !
Why, twenty years ago. twenty years be-
fore the present Republican party was
formed or thought of. Edward Bates held
and was quietly working out in practice
the fundamental principles of Republi-
canism. Mr.. Bates is indeed one Of the
Fathers Of the Faith, of which Mr.. Sew
ard and Mr.. Chase are certainly honored
and able apostles.
But let me ask further, in order to ar
rive at the true lustre of Mr.. Bates posi-
tion-Does Republicsnism mean even
something more than the non-extension
of slavery, and something more than
protest against the institution itself as
''relic of barbarism ?" Does it mean, al
so, a positive vindication of free labor,
as the only honest agency by which 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 posses
sion, but he did it wisely and humanely,
as a weIl-considered scheme of life. He
did not turn them sdrift, ignorant, help
less, and unprovided for, to become pau
pers and pest to society, but he careful
iy instructed them, and prepared them for
freedom, and established them as well as
he could in life, SO that they might be
self.supporting. and useful to society
And one of them, at least-sn intelligent
boyle educated thoroughly. and sent
to Liberia, to be what he really is-a
missionary of civilization and Christian
ity among the heather tribes Of his kin
bred race. While Mr. Bates was doing
this work of humanity for dependent
class by his unaided free labor, 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 I mention here the par
ticular fact that the wife of Mr.. Bates, a
South Carolina lady. has borne MIN in
their long married life seventeen children,
eight of whom survive. Consider these
two families, Sir, the white and black,
that GIr. Bates has provided for. as q
Christian father ard philanthropist. and
tell me what citizen OF this great Repub-
lie has more gloriously illustrated the
dignity and power Of free lsbor? Is it
any wonder that Mr.. Bates has always
been poor-too poor to be . politician
and an Office seeker-too poor TO occupy
aseat in Congress and in Cabinets. which
be had the opportunity TO occupy, hut
declined because he had ssworkG to do, !"
and could not afford 10 hold office Let