Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-07-09
vVen,leII T.hiIIIps' Letter.

Wem0eM k-mhAhAhSs A<Cet
WENDELL PHILLiPs, in recent letter TO
the editor of The Independent, on the Cleve-
land and Baltimore Conventions, says a
number of pertinent things in his own terse
style. He asks The Independent
ssBut how long have yoa Thought tnat
legislatures custom-houses, waru-roonis
and mess-tables SO entirely monopollzethe
saints of the nation that popular conVeh-
tion is to be scorned in comparison! Better
renresent nobody than represent rebels. AL
low me to remind you how largely the Bal
timore Convention was mob, coming no
body knew whence, responsible to none,
and only pretending to represent reDels
and States not now in existence. NO won
der. speculators and contractors, they are
willing to leave to their friend, MIR. Lincoln,
his usurped power of econstruction-the
most difficult and most momentous question
before us-which Cleveland so properly re,
fuses to confide to any but Congress ana
the people,"
OF the Cleveland Convention, MIR. PHIL
LIPS says:
ssThe merit of Cleveland is its protest
against the fast growing despotism OF an
administration which never shows .vlgor
except against single individuals and IN the
quiet streets of New York and Boston, but
is imbecile and submissive in Tennessee
and New Orleans. If, in the profound peace
of New York and entirely without neces-
sity. the President usurps all the power OF
Congress and the Judiciary-as in the Ar
gueiles case--or wholly suppresses the SEN
ate by sending his tool, Frank L. Bialr, 10
command an army without the shadow OF
commission, it is time to ask Where we
are. If these things are done in the green
tree, what may we expect in the dry! Ever
since 1861, have done what could TO polnt
out the dangerous tendency OF this use oi
despotlc power"
! He saws there is one resolution in the Bal
timore platform, which was forced there
relating to the niger, and that he approves
of it, and further,
"The only other article of the Baltimore
platform, i'm which the influence of Cleve-
| land can be traced. is that meaningless, and
hypocritcal one, supposed to relate to
change in the cabinet; an attempt to say
nothing, and yet save appearances-an at
tempt. the first half of which was alone
! successful. The Baltimore men knew then
and know now, that Mr.. Lincoln neither
! plans. nor will consent to change his cabinet,
unless he is forced to it by pressure out
side of his party, and so strong as to make
it trembe. Two or three clap-trap compii-
ments, one-half of which you know wei,
were neither deserved, nor sincerely offered
one honorable protest against the govern
ment's infamous injustice to Its colored sol
diers. and one brave demand (the amend
ment) borrowed from its rlVal-tnls Is lhe
Baltimore platform. ~
SIN ordinary times, politics is of little in
| terest to me. But to-day the nation hangs
| on the edge of Niagara. have some hope
though but little expectation, that it Will be
saved under its present leaders. Duty bids
| me to make every effort to insure its safety
Hence. Joined the Cleveland Convention
as a protest against the calamity of MIR
Lincoln's reelection.
IL gave the republican administration
generous confidence for three years. Com
promising, purposeless, halting. cowardly-
| they have disgusted their own supporters,
and well nigh wrecked the nation. mat
way ruin lies. l am anxious, at least, TO try
| another"
Mr.. PHILLIPS closes his letter in the fol-
lowing language:
1t is too early to form any opinion of the
result of the coming canvass. Grant car
ries the decision of it ON the point of his
| sword. If we of Cleveland fail, shall not
be surprised. Perfectly well aware that
compromise is the essence of politics and
| indispensably necessary to success at the
ballot-box, should be more surprised to
succeed. Indeed, the hour OF success would
be the one when l should most anxiously
re-examine my own position. Let me COM
mend you to the same caution. Unless, hooo-
ever. some union takes place among the oppo-
nents Of the Administration, / haze little erpec-
tation that the North aoiH finally succeed, e1-
cent on basis acorse than defeat. If the
North does triumph, shall always look
back to the Cleveland Convention as one
of the most efficient contributions to that
success. Last, l have confidence in the
anti-slavery purpose of John G. Fremont,
and wait to see the policy which he and
his political friends will adopt for that pur-
pose. AS events unfold, shall find my
guidance in them, and shall take fit oppor-
tunity to express my opinion.
Yours, respectfully,
WENDELL PHILLIPS.
June, 1864.