Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-11


tors, would refer them. on the subject OF the
lie, character. and services Of Richard A. Lee,
and bis brothers. T. A Lee. Arthur Lee. and
Vim. Lee, 20 some competent authorities, viz:
Girartins History Of Virginia Bancroft's His
tory, American Encyclopaedia. article Lee
Marshall's Life OF Washington, Lives of X. II:
Lee and Arthur Lee: to which might be added
many others.
RICHARD Henry LEE,
Grandson Of X II. Lee. the mover of the Decla
ration OF Independence, and one Of it, sign
ers
WAsHISGroS. PENs-. June 6, 1864
The Cleveland Conyentton-Wen deIi
phillips Letter-suggesfIons To the
Conyenfion-The Course OF the Adj
rutnIstration-A civil and Military
FaiIure-Eincoins He-election Equi-
vatent TO the Recognition Of the
sonth or rour Years more Of war
Fremont the First Choice of Nr.
Phillips.
Bosrox. May ", 1864
DEAR SIR:-I deeply regret that it is out of
NV power 10 attend the Cleveland Convention.
Allow me to suggest one or two things which
hope to urge on It's attention.
Without denying what the friends of the sd-
toward crushing the rebeIlion-my charge against
il is that it has not done half that it should and
could have done toward that end had il used the
means in its hands, with an earnest and single
purpose to close the strife thoroughly and forev-
er. IL has thought more of conciating rebels
than of subduing them. Ii has avowefly for
borne the use of lawful and efficient means, Ito
wit, the abolition of slavery, until it was thought
indispensable, and even then it has used it in
half heated. hating way, wishing 70 save the
feelings of rebels. We had three tools with
which TO crush the rebellion--men money and
the emancipation of the negro. We were warned
to be quick and sharp ia the use of these, because
every year the war lasted hardened the South
from a rebellion to a nation, and doubled the
danger of foreign interference Slavery has been
our great trouble in the past, and, as every man
saw, was our great danger in the future. States
manship said, therefore, seize at once the God
given opportunity to end it, at the same time that
you. in the quickest. shortest and cheapest man
ner. annhilate the rebellion
For three years the Administration has law
ished money without stint and drenched the lend
In blood, and il has not even vet thoroughly and
heartily struck the slave system Confessng
that the use of this means is indispensable. the
Administration has used it just enough to rritate
the rebels, and not enough to Save the State
Administration suspended habeas corpus, on the
plea of military necessity-justly For three
years IL has poured the treasure and blood Of the
country like water. Meanwhile, slavery was too
sacred TO be used; that was saved lest the feel.
ngs of rebels should be hurt The Administra
ton weighed treasure, blood, and civil liberty
against slavery and up to the present moment
has decided TO exhaust them ali before it uses
freedom heartily as a means of battle.
elected. he is elected to pursue the same pol
icy and obey the same cabinet. What will be
the result of another four years of such policy?
Unless the South is recognized, the war will con
time; the taxation needed to sustain our i'm
mense debt doubled bv that time, will grind the
laborng men OF the North down to the level of
the pauper labor of Europe; and we ehall have
a government accustomed to despotic power for
eight years fearful peril to Democratic insi-
tutious.
Mr. Lincoln's mode of reconstruction is the ex-
pertinent in Louisiana, which puts all power into
the hands of the unchanged white race. soured
by defeat, hating the laboring class, plotting
constantly for aristocratic institutions. To re-
construct the rebel States on that model is only
continuing the war in the Senate Chamber after
We have closed il in the field. Such reconstruc-
ton. leaving the South with its labor and capital
of war, puts the payment OF the whole debt on the
industrious North, and in that way it will hang
on us for century. Such reconstruction makes
the freedom Of the negro n sham. aud perpetu
atcs slavery under a softer name. Such recon
structon. leaving the seeds OF discomfort and di
vision in the South in places OF power, tempts
and facilitates another rebellion, at the instga
ton or with the aid OF French Mexico. Such
reconstruction dooms US to a second or third rate
place among the nations, and provokes foreign
insult and aggression.
There is no plan of reconstruction possible
within twenty years, unless we admit the black
20 citizenship and the ballot, and use him with
the white as "A basis of States There is not in
the rebel States sufficient white basis To build
on. Ii we refuse this method we must subdue
the South and hold it territory until this gen
Grafton of white men has passed away. and their
sons, with other feelings have taken their places,
aud Northern capital energy and immigration,
have forced their way into the South. Should
adopt that plan, and wait for these changes,
twenty years must elapse before we can venture
to rebuild States Meanwhile, large and ex-
pensive army, and the nse of despotic power by
a government holding half its territory and clti-
zens as subjects, make every thoughtful man
tremble for the fate of free government. quick
and thorough reorganization OF States on Dem
ocratic basis, every man and race equal before
the law, is the only sure was to save the Union.
urge it not for the black mans sake alone, but
for ours-for the nations sake
Against such recognition of the blacks Mr..
Lincoln stands pledged by prejudice and avowal.
Men say if we elect him, he may change his
views. Possibly But three years has been a
long time for mans education in such hours as
these. The nation cannot afford more At any
rate the Constitution gives US this summer an
opportunity to make President man fully edu
Gated. prefer that course.
The Administration therefore. regard as
civil and military failure. and its avowed policy
rulnous to the North in every point of view
Mr. Lincoln may wish the end-peace and free
dom-but he is wholly unwilling to use the
means which can secure that end. Ii Mr.. Lin
coin is reelected | do not expect to see the
Union reconstructed iu my day, unless on terms
more disastrous to liberty than even dsunion
would be
Ii turn to Gen Fremont, see a man whose
first act was 10 use the freedom OF the negro as
his weapon see one whose thorough loyalty
to democratic Institutions, without regard to race
whose earnest and decisive character. whose
cear-sighted craftsmanship aud rare military
ability, justify my confidence that III his HANDS
all will be done 70 save the State that foresight
skill, decision and craftsmanship can do.
! think the Convention should incorporate in
its platform the demand for an amendment of the
Constitution. prohibiting slavery everywhere in
the republic. and forbiddng the States 10 make
any distinction among their citizens on account
of color or race | think il should demand
reconstruction OF States as speedily as possible
ON the basis of every loyal man, white or black
sharing the land aud the ballot.
But If some of these points are not covered