East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-07-20
Birney on briggs.

III Vie uctI lltllo history Oh tue
ehicancry and underhanded workings
Of the honest republican fuglemen of
Of this district which brought about
the first nomination Of Hon. JouN +.
DRIees, issued in pamphlet form some
time since by Hon. JAMES BrRNrr of
Bay City, we find many items, the in
torest of which is greatly augmented
by the fact that briggs is on the track
for reelection. AS refreshing offset
TO the fulsomc adulations of the
Saginaw Valley Republican, we give an
extract from pages G and 7 Of the
pamphlet entitled a Letter from
James Birney to Hon. Jno. T. briggs"
dated, Bay City, August 31st, 1863,
and unquestionably a very 'loyal"
production, though it is not as pleas
ont for the ambitious NJ. c., as class
Of literature which deals more in ro-
nance and less in disagreeble facts;
rds italics in last paragraph:
81 had still another reason why I
did not feel eager to enlist under your
canvass; and it is reason entirely
satisfactory to myself. 1t is one that
state without hesitation, and with
out circ,lmlocution, to YOU directly
state 1t fairly, squarely and plumply
aud not as former competitor, but as
present constituent. L know that
your nomination was one eminentlv
unfit TO be made. l had been mem
Der of the Legislature at the same
time with yourself / had full opnor-
tunlty to scan your course, and TO
form my own judgment as to your
qualifications as a legislator. Your
Legislative course, instead of being an
advantage TO Northern Michigan, was
absolutely an impeachment to favorable
legislation. 1t was an entire failure.
When you were nominated for Con-
gress, regarded you just as compe-
tent to demonstrate the status" of the
country, or even to explain the "Chic-
ago Platform" as to expound the
properties of the Parabola, the Ellipse
or the Quadrature of the Hynerbolo
OF Comic Sections. j am not DENYING
to you talent, and many estimable
qualities Of head and heart, that at
tract friends to you; but whatever
your talents may be, they certainly do
not lie in the line of legislation. And
singular as it may seem, | have never
heard man say that your nomina-
ton was tit to he made. Even vour
friends do not claim this for YOU. In
the Convention, paradoxical as it may
appear, your weakness was YOUR,
strength. And l had scrutinized YOU
enough to know that you had not one
particle either Of that moral or per-
sonal courage absolutely requisite in
tho atmosphere of Washington.
Moreover, | could well foresee that.
wing to the peculiar phase of politi.
cal management, you were introduce
ing INTO this region-fashioned after
the type of Tammany Hall that if
your influence was enlarged by plac-
ing you in higher position, it would
tend to the decentralization Of the Re-
publican party. This party was Or
gained primarily for the maintain.
ance OF free institutions not a ma
ch,nery for manufacturing and par
ceiling out offices. It's permanency
depends upon the constant inculca-
ton of its principles upon tho public |
mind 1t must have hold of the NOR
al sense of the people by the promo
ton of humane and beneficent ends.
80 far as my knowledge extends. YOU
have not associated yourself with any
cardinal principle of the party. If
you represent anything, what is il?
l have heard You highly commend
ed as "6gurer" l will pause mo-
ment to inquire how the party has
boon benefited by your efforts in this
respect. Since i have been in the
Saginaw Valley, there have lived,
and died, several genera
tons of iigurors. They ride the wave
Of some propitious gale, but have their
lay and soon pass away. The peo-
ple measure them, and then abandon
them.
AT the election in Saginaw county
next preceding your nomination.
here was majority of 247 for the
Republican candidates on the Cuber-
latorial ticket, and larger majority
.or President. All the county Offices
t | mistake not, were held by Repub-
leans A part of your figuring con-
'isted IN having your messengers
when canvassing for delegates in Gen
'see county, assert that Mr.. briggs
had such popularity that he could
AIRY Saginaw county by COO major
by. In order TO socure the delega-
,ation Of your county, you worked
lpon the apprehensions of the Office
ivllcrs. You sail through your sun i
,ortcrs, to them: IF you want a re- {
lomiuation, you can get II by helping
no t. delegation. If you oppose, !
oy friends viii combine with your
'pponents in the Convention and de-
rat yon." You secured men who
over before dreamed of being put {
ito so tight place. The scheme ,
vorked, and you obtained the delega-
ION and the nomination, but did YOU
raw the people tho fact is, that ev-
ny candidate that supported you was
eicatcd.. Zoe sceye 5aaiy beaten IN tou
'rw ,oqrd, Nv go,v oirn ei1y, and m your
rn eosnfy. You al went downin one
ensral crash. Thorc would have !
IN no salvation for you bad il not .