The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-09-14
George ". Peck not a Representative.

At the meeting OF the Democratic Con-
ventiOn Of Ingham county, at Mason. Aug
25, the name Of Mr.. Peck was unanimously
presented to the Congressional Convention
as a suitable person TO receive the nomina-
ton for Representative. Mr.. Peck was
present and made q speech on the occasion.
The Congressional Convention refused bis
application and now q few words why we
concur in their action
lift were necessary that the COpperheads
should select for Us Representative in Con-
gress, Mr. Peck would be very far from be
ing the choice Of the Republicans Of the
District. His prominent political points
are 80 well known that we need not dwell
on them. He argues by the hour that the
God Of the Bible and the God OF History
have doomed the negro TO everlasting bon
dage, and whenever he is out OF that state
he is out Of his normal condition.
For sympathy with the objects, princi-
pies and measures OF the rebels. and for un-
relenting hatred to all parties, measures.
legislators, officers. soldiers, and persons
who are for suppressing the rebellion hy
arms, he is unsurpassed By any one IN our
acquaintance
As legislator. we should fear that his
course would not be Influenced IN the sm0lt
est degree by any considerations Of justice
or right, or public good, where they might
seem to clash with party success.
There are some Democrats who have an
interest in the elevation and advancement
Of the toiling millions of white people
around them; but no such genial feeling
has ever been known to descend from those
chilling regions Of aristocracy where his
mind cOmplacently reposes.
As an intellectual man, We would not un
derrate Mr. Peck The rise of any man il
the world TO a considerable degree of inllu
ence and station. IS always an evidence o
abilities Of some kind. But the abilities o
Mr.. Peck are Of the snowy rather than o
the substantial sort. He Is more brillian
| than profound, more rhetorical than logical
more active than powerful, and has NOR
tact than talent. He scarcely rises allow
mediocrity a. writer; but his priucipa
forte Is in addressing a popular assembly
For using bitter sneer or an insulting sar
casm successfully, he Is not surpassed il
the State. But his weapons are all OF tin
lighter kind. The contest between him AM
a man of massive mind might be compares
to that between the Saracen and Christian
Crusader, as described by Scott The lith
and active chief of the desert rode arOunI
his powerful antagonist, discharging -th
sharpest pointed weapons at every part @
his opponent which seemed vulnerable: ev
cry arIUw touched the exact spot, and whe
tipped with poison, would make the WUun
rankle and tester; but when he placed him
self within reach Of the heavy armed Crusa
der, he could not stand for moment unde
4 single blow of the broadsword or battle
axe.
Mr.. Peck can never rise to be leade
among large masses Of his party, either il
the State or nation. because ne prefers In
adulatiOn, homage and gloritication of
few interiors around him which come to hin
from smart and brilliant sayings and ne'
and extravagant opinions, to that genera
respect which Is felt by whole communitie
for a man who is always large-minded, wis
and judicious. Men Of more activity tha
comprehension are apt to have this cast q
mind. There are some country parsons
who derive more pleasure from the absolut
control they exercise over their few igno
rant Pensioners, than they would from tn
possession Of the wide fame of Washington
or Franklin. The only way that such
MIND could oo,,+~~I l----- l--l;.:@>l l,~..l
would he by organizing a band of follower
sufficiently large to fetter the action of III
majority of the party, and then saying L
them, Do as We wish, or we viii not vot
with yOu, and You are defeated"
But Mr. Peck has not attained any grea
influence with his party in any way an
what he has possessed seems to be fast de
| clining. His speaking talent and menta
activity early brought him into notice i
the Legislature, and secured him a Con
gressional election. But he did not 10
distinguish himself in any way; and hi
next canvass against Hon. D. c. Leach wa
not successful. Mr. Pcck's personal abus
Of his respectable opponent, whom he wa
accustomed to speak Of in public meeting
As that thing, caused reaction again,
himself. " That thing was too much fl
him, and was elected. For some reaso
Mr.. Peck failed to get a national siuatio
under Buchanan; and under Lincoln he ha
kept himself from entire ObscurIty by edr
inc the State JolD.nal He made no mar
as delegate To the Chicago Convent ioI
except TO count one; NJ the State CONVEX
vention at Detroit he counted a unit ono
more at the Representative Convention
Sept. 2nd at Jackson, he was not nance
Johnson having been nominated by rir
rOce vote; and this gross ailront was pr
upon him Notwithstanding he had been q,
pressly recommended for Congress by til
Convention OF Ingham county. of July ,,
Thus, after ten years of exclusion from pull
lie life by his friends. he is again throw
out of the popular arena for two years NOR,
cut off from a situation he had asked fol
the Congressional Convention not eve
deigning to take his request into consider
ton. The evidence is irresistible that hi
party are justly afraid to bring him befor
the public.
City Republican Organization.
The organization of the Republican part