Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-07-04
Wsnden PhIIIIrs vs. Theodors TiIlan.

s.a Wendell Phillips Theodore Ttltana
Mr.. Phillips has made his appearance
before the public in behalf Of the CleVs-
land Convention. Having committed him
self to the support Of Fremont, he regards
q Is his duty to defend the character and
81 work Of the Cleveland Convention. Mr..
Tilton, Of the Independent strongly OP-
4, posed before the Baltimore Convention to
Mr.. Lincoln after it suslains him and
crifieizes the men and spirit Of the Cleve-
land Con sention. Mr. Phillips then feels
under obligations to lecture his young
friend Tilton, who in return makes re-
ply.
No man possessing the reputation for
sharpness that Mr. Phillips has, was ever
30 numerically picked to pieces. 1t is the
asddest reverse that has ever befsllen that
gentleman. The insuf6eieney Of his res-
sons for prsferring the Cleveland platform,
his misapprehension Of both Conven-
lions, and the personal nature Of his de-
Tense Of the Fremont movement are all eI-
kibited in the strongest cOlOrs Mr..
Phillips is wholly dissFmsd by his sntsg-
onist, because Mr.. 4 lton has both right
snd reason on his side.
II Rnything can be gathered from MI.
Phillips letter, his "infnite prefer
ences," as be sbsurdly styles them, are
based upon the assumption that the Cleve
land platform is more radical than the
Baltimore platform. Let us examine the
question.
Tbs Fremont men ssy slavery is dead,
making bid for the Chicago nomination
The Union party ssy it must be ertispGtsd.
Mr.. Phillips has an idea that the clause
proposing to amend the Constitution was
sdopted at Baltimore because of its sdOp.
tion in this city. Any one familiar with the
sentiments Of the Union Press knows that
this was advocated months before the
meeting ct Cleveland.
Mr.. Phillips likes the expression, "equal-
ity before the law" which is introduced
merely as clap trap. he also likes the
resolution declaring that the question Of
reconstruction belongs to the people and
Congress-not to the President.
Mr.. Lincoln never intended that his
plan should override every other. He
presented it simply as the Hbest the Exeou-
tive can suggest with his present imprss-
sions"
The Senate end House must necessarily |
have voice in reconstruction as the con-
Btitution expressly provides that no sens-
tors or Representatives can be admitted |
without the consent Of each house which
is the sole judge Of the qualifications nee
esssry.
Mr.. Phillips very strongly chimes in
with the complaint made at Cleveland
about ''srbitrary arrests" although but
few days before at Dr. Oheever's church,
In New York, he characterized them IS
f1oOagra-4 sna-iEahIs--s 49,
fault with in the desih grapple with the
rebellion.
gs Any one who will compare the Cleve-
land platform with that Of Baltimore can
readily see that the later is much more
thorough going and sensible. The CleVe-
land platform was drawn up chiefly with
reference to Chicago, in the hope Of an al
lance with the oOpperhesds.
We regret TO see man like Mr.. Phillips
allowing his personal prejudices against
Mr.: Lincoln, so completely to warp his
Judgment on questions so vital to the Be-
public. After this we're chastisement at
the hands Of Mr.. TiltOn, we hope to see
him converted from the error Of his ways