Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-16
IMPOR FAINT POLITICAL MANI
FESrV.
rIoN-LETTER FROM WENDELL PHILLIPS IN
DORsING THE MOVEMENT
To the People Of the United States:


After having labored Intellectually to defer as
far as was in our the critical moment when
the attention OF the people must inevitably be
fixed upon the selection nf a candidate for the
chief magistracy of the country; after having IN
terrogated our conscience and consulted our duty
as citizens; obeying at once the sentiment of a
mature conviction and a profound affection for the
common country. we feel ourselves impelled on
our own responsibility to declare TO the people
that the time has come for all independent men,
Jealous of their liberties and of the national great
ness. to confer together and unite TO resist the
swelling invasion of an open. shameless. and IN
restrained patronage which threatens to engulf
under its destructive wave the rights of the peo-
pie, the liberty and dignity of the nation
Deeply impressed With the convection that, ia
the time OF a revolution, when the public atten
ton is turned exclusively to the success of
armies. and is consequently less vigilant OF the
public liberties. the patronage derived from the
organization of an army of n million of men, and
an administration of affairs which seeks to con-
troll the remotest parts of the country in favor of
its supreme chief, constitute n danger seriously
threatening to The stability Of republican insttu-
tons; we declare that the principle of one term.
which has now acquired nearly the force of law
by the conservation of time, ought to be %infiexi-
bly, adhered to in the approaching election
We further declare that W. do not recognize
in the Baltimore Convention the essential cOndi'
tons of a truly national convention Its prox-
unity TO the center Of all interested influences of
the ad ADMINISTRATION. its distance from the center of
the country. its mode of convocation, the cor
rupting practices to which it has been and inevi-
tably will be subjected. do not permit the people
TO assemble there with any expectation OF being
able to deliberate at full liberty.
Convinced as we are, that in the presence OF
the critical circumstances in which the nation is
placed, IL is only in the energy and good sense Of
the people that the general safety can be fosnd;
satisfied that the only way to consult is to indi-
cate a central position to which every one may
90 without too much expenditure of means and
time, and where the assembled people. far from
all administrative influence. may consult freely
and deliberate peaceably with the presence Of the
greatest possible number of men whose known
principles guarantee their sincere and enlightened
devotion TO the rights of the people and TO the
preservation of the true basis of a republican
government: we earnestly invite our fellow
citizens 10 unite at Cleveland. Ohio, on Saturday,
the 3lst of May next, for consultation and con.
cert OF action in respect to the approaching Pres
idential election.
Signed by B. Gratz Brown and 40 others.
Judge Static:
DEAR Sin: Since you asked my judgment as
to the course to be taken In dominating a candi
date for the presidency, I have been requested 70
sign a call for a convention for that purpose, to
meet at Cleveland IN May next.