New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-20
Letter from Wendell Phillips.

lying versions OF New-l0rk papers may MAKE me
do that and many other things Of which l never
Thought You know, by experience, That TIE
American Press, in general, neither tries nor means
20 speak truth sbout Abolitions Of any type have
never discouraged enlistments. In the Union army
are my kindred and some of my dearest ineHS'
Others rest in fresh and honorable graves NO one
of these ever heard word from me to discourage his
enlis,ng. I had the honor, last March, to address
the I4lh Massachusetts at Fort Albany, ard THIS
very week the 33d Massachusetts at Camp Gam
eron. No man in either regiment heard anything
ron, nv lips to discourage bis whole'souled service
Of the Union
Allow me to state my own position. From 1913 TO
1861. was a Disunionist and sought 10 break this
Union, convinced that disunon was the only
righteous path, aud the best one for the white man
aud the black ! sought disunion, not through con-
spiracy and violence, but by means which the Con-
etitution 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 disunon. now believe three
things
]. The destruction of Slavery is inevitable, which
ever section conquers in this struggle.
9. There never can be peace union till Slavery
g. destroyed.
3. There never can be peace till one Government
rules from the Gulf to the Lakes and having
tvroDged the Negro for two centuries we owe him
khe preservation OF the Union TO guard bis transition
from Slavery to Freedom, and make it short, easy
and perfect.
Believing these three things, I accept Webster's
-entiment, Liberty and Union now aud forever,
one and inseparable." Gladly would l serve that
1Dnion-giving il musket sword, voice pen--the
best | have. But the Uuion, which has for twenty
FIVE years barred me FROM its highest privileges by
demanding an oath to Pro-Slavery Constitution,
etil shuts that door in my face; aud this Admins
tration cngs to policy which, think, makes every
life now lost in Virginia. and every dollar now spent
there utter waste. cannot coDscientiously support
such Union and Administration. But there Is room
for honest difference of opinion. Others can support
St. To such say-Go; give TO the Union your best
blood, your heartiest support.
Is there, then. no place left for mel Yes. be-
Eeve in the Union. But Government and the Union
Gre one thing. # is Administration is quite an
other Whether the Administration will ever pilot
Is through our troubles have serious doubts that
It never will unless il changes presest policy,
sm quite certain. Where, then, is my place under
Republican Government which only reflects and
rxecrtes public opinionf ] believe in getting
through this war by the machinery of regular Gov
eminent, NOS BY any Cromwell stalking into the
Senate chamber or the White House. Where, then,
Is my post, espec ally under aD Administration that
avowedly sits waiting, begging TO be told what TO
do? must educate, arouse, and mature public
Opinion that shall compel the Administration to
adopt and support it u pursuing the policy can aid
This do by frankly and candldly critcizlng in
present policy, civil and military. However inapt
and Objectionable" you may think my means"
they are exactly described in your own words:
'The good citizen may owe his Government
counsel, en,re.,y, edmonton, to abandon u
mistaken policy, as well as force 70 sus-
tain it in the discharge Of its great re-
sponsibilities." No Administration can demand
of citizen sacrifice his conscience, and the limits
within which be is bound TO sacrifice his opinion are
eoop reached. If The Press had not systematically
eulogzed a General whom none knew, aud few
really trusted we should have saved twelve months
five hundred millions Of dollars, and hundred thou
sand lives. In my opinion, b,d THE TRIBUNE con-
tinued last August TO do its duty and demand vigor
of the Government, you would have changed or con-
troled the Cabinet in another month, and saved us
millions of dollars, thousands OF lives, and untold
disgrace. Such criticism is always every thinking
mans duty. War excuses no mau from this duty:
least Of all now, when change Of public sentiment
to lead the Administration TO, and support it in,
new policy, is only hope of saving the Union.
The Union belongs TO me ss much as 10 Abraham
Lincoln. What right has he or any oiicial-our Ser
Vanrs-to claim that shall crcising his mis-.
takes, when they are dragging the Union to ruinl
find grave faults in President LiDcon but do
believe be makes any such Cain.
said on the let OF August that, bad been in the
Senate, | should have refused the Administration q
do lar man until 1t adopted right policy. That
repeat. Had been. 10 that way, a part Of the
Government, should have tried to control its
action. You bound az II journalist think, 10
have impressed that duty the Republican party
which holds tue Administration. Such "a Is
right aud proper under tree Governments But
when Congress has declded, aud under its authority
or by his own, the President demands SOLDIER, the
hour for such efjrt or protest Is gone. We have no
right then TO discourage eniistments," as means
70 change public opiuion, to influence the Admin.
1s,ration. Our remedy different. If we Cannot
actively aid, we must submit 10 the penal y aud
strive meanwhile 10 change that public thought
which alone Can alter the sc.iOn Of Government.
That duty | try 10 40 In my measure My crt
cism lis hot like that of The BOstOn Courier and its
lindred, meant 10 paIaiyze tDe Administration, but
D. gUad it TO aotiyy and vigpr, or 10 change
Gle Cabinet. cain OF you ,urDa!ist OF broad
anfuence that you resume tie post which think
you deserted last Summer, aud hasten tile III enng
OF that Necessary public purpose by constant aud
tealess cnIlcism Of the whole poicy of The Admins