The Portland daily press., 1862-08-26
Wendell Phillips--His Position.

We do not propose to speak of Mr.. Phillips
political position because we attach much i'm
portance to it, but simply because his name is
in every newspaper, and because he seems
to be stumbling-block over which many peo-
pie are liable to stumble into anything but
course of undoubted and generous loyalty to
the government We regard Mr. Phillips as
an honest, but, to a very large extent, dei,i-
ded man. He is emphaticaly radical. He
sees an end, and he is impatient of all means
which do not 60 directly to the accomplish
ment OF that end. He is one of your men
whose motto is "duty is ours-consequences
Gods" This is a popular IN otto, and plau-
sible one withal, though zoe don't believe any
intelligent man has right to interpret his du-
ty in any given case, indepen IDENTIFY of the
known or probable consequences resulting
therefrom and inseparable from it. Man is
gifted with judgment and reasoning faculties
in order that he may, 10 a limited extent it is
true, forecast the future, and take into account
the results Of any given train of causes; and
God as much requires him to exercise that
judgment and those faculties, as he does to
pSiioihu uutl WucH tiltl uulJ Is uIlilllslaka-
bly, made known to him.
Mr.. Phillips has been an open, frank, avow-
ed disunionist. He tells us so frankly. He
saw the institution of slavery, and it was re-
voting to his best feelings. He believed the
institution deeply rooted and grounded in the
federal Constitution and that it was insepara-
bic from the federal Union, and that no means
Of reaching and subverting the institution ex-
listed, except by first subverting and overthrow
ing the Constitution and the Union. Here was
Phillips mistake-such a mistake as none but
radcal-perhaps an honestly radical-mind
could well fall into. In recent letter TO the
New York Tribune, he says:
From 1S43 to 1861, was Disunionist, and
sought to break this Union, convinced that
disunion was the only righteous path, and the
best one for the white man and the black. |
sought disunion, not through conspiracy and
violence, but by means which the Constitution
Itself warranted and protected. | rejoice in
these efforts. They were wise and useful.
Sumter changed the whole question. After
that, peace and justice both forbade disunion.
now believe three things.
l. The destruction of slavery is inevitable, which
ever section conquers in this struggle.
destroyed.
3. There never can be peace till one Government
rules from the Gulfto the Lakes; and having wrong
ed the negro for two centuries owe him the pres
eryation OF the Union TO guard his transition from
Slavery TO Freedom and make 1t short easy and per-
feet.
Believing these three things, acceptlWeb-
ster's sentiment, Liberty and Union now and
forever, one and inseparable." Gladly would
serve the Union-giving it musket, sword,
voice, pen-the best have. But the Union
which has for twenty-five years barred me
from its highest privileges by demanding an
oath TO a Pro-Slavery Constitution, still shuts
that door in my face; and this administration
clings to policy which, l think. makes every
life now lost in Virginia, and every dollar now
spent there, utter waste. | cannot conscien-
tiously support such Union and Administra-
sion. But there is room for honest difference
of opinion. Others can support it. To such
l say-Go; give TO the Union your best blood
your heartiest support.
Such is Mr.. Phillips position-past and
present-as defined by himself lie repudiates
the idea that he is now a disunionist. He
would now save the Union because he believes
slavery is not essential to its continued exist
ence. He clings to the idea that its restora-
ton and preservation can be secured only by
blotting out slavery, and that the war will yet
contribute to such result. We have no apol-
ogies to offer for his reasoning. He is, as we
have said, RADICAL fanatic, if you please.
But it is an unmistakable fact that public SEN
timent, for the last twelve months, has ad-
vanced farther towards Phillips present posi-
tion than most people are willing to admit.
There are few now who believe that slavery
has a long lease of life fewer who believe it
can long survive a continued war The great
body Of the people may believe with Phillips
that the abrogation OF slavery viii afford the
only secure basis of perpetual Union, but they
utterly ignore his mode of accomplishing a
work, for the wise consummaton of which
they ardenty pray. The great body of the
people are content to trust the ''logic OF
events" Emancipation is coming as fast as
we are prepared to accept it. There need be
no hurry. Patience aud wisdom will not be
exercised in vain. We have faith in the Ex-
ecutive and his advisers, that they will move
as fast as is safe; that they will not move one
inch in advance Of safety.