The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-13
LETTER TO GENERAL COX.
OBERIIN. July "a l605.

cOOred the polls, WOuu give INC anu
the negro into the power of tho very mon who have
sought and still desire 70 ruin the one aud enslaye the
other.
Deliver the four millions OF freed people into the
hands OF their former oppress0rs, now embitared BY
their defeat and they will make their condition worse
united ou,h would San control Of the genera govern.
mont and In various ways would harass and suppress
the and thor friends beyond endurance. war
of races would be likely to result IT. nation we can
be so wicked deliver c0lored soldiers and the
millions whose freedom we are pledged TO- maintain
that ever laid claim to civilization terrible retribaon
will await We speae strongly, that you may know
how feed on the subject l..'ao4 40 o. gatslb
and unfit for the elective franchise answer grant
il; but this has nothing do with the question: Our
soldiers have fought three years for The Union are
free, many Of whom have amassed wealth. IL ID Tor
those ask the elective franchise 1t should take
would be content though believe our free institu-
would be safer In tho hands Of the coored people as
they arc than the hands Of the best half Of the white
population Of thesouth The question u.s. shall colored
people be allowed to voter The enemies OF our country
say no. The Of the loyal say yes SO decided are
people the subject that by NO means DO
persuaded TO vote for known TO be opposed TO H.
The Union party Of this country 30 Tar as we Know are
unanimous on the subject and believe that through
ont the country the party can DO rallied on this platform
with greater enthusiasm than on any othe! All the
prominent religious papers, and with one or two excep
universal suffrage We beieye that nothing could be
suicidal party and the cause Of freedom than
Please let us hear from you soon II is not our wish
to publish your views Unless you desire IT, But we wish
have usinds relieved and TO b. able 70 con-
rdct any false reports that may be In circulation re-
gardng your views on this subject Very truly and sin.
cerely yours = = rA1K IL JILL,
- GENERAL cox's REPLY.
CoLUnBUs, July Is, 1896
GKvrrHxEN-Your letter OF yesterday, inquirng what
arc my opinions upon Of the phases Of tho question
morning. You sign yourselves as 'scommttee,' but
have omitted 70 INFORM me what body or organization
you represcnt TO give me the instructions or resou
tons committing the subject 10 you This accidental
omission would DO Of no consequence snce know you
both 70 be members OF the Union party Of this State,
and though we have scarce seen each other 9r some
mno but ny relations 10 the Union men Of Ohio ore
such that II may become OF some importance 70 know
who arc those with whom you are acting and for whom
you declare that hearty and honest concurrence IN Inc
principles which you and the other loyal people Of Ohio
adopted convention the 2lst uliimo, expressly ~
the basis OF united political action In the coming State
election shall be sufficient 70 secure your votes
Political organizations, like every other are founded
upon mutual waving Of articles ri personal belief
for the Of securing united and objective action upon
others which avowed as tho common creed and tho
bond OF union can hardly be said TO be kept IN good
faith when individuals of party PROFOUND as tests 70
candidate questions which not actd upon by the
Convention, especially when such questions were motor
ousiy excluded from the list Of those upon which COM
munty OF belief demanded because tho opipons OF
loyal and patriotic mon had not fully rpene1' %, Or
taken definite form IN regard 70 ,.,sc or events
n was necessary to ACT upon them In the political
phase Of the great conflict we have hPon US as 10 ns
military strife which has Just end, organization VIII ne
fnnnd N bc of the last nportasce and though guerilla
warfare has it's attractions sn Wen convinced that re-
suits will be determined by ae surer s'o"er march vi
have always believed that adherence to party plat
form does not exclude freedom OF opnon or discussion
nv thai s,nh discussion should be cree and friendly
interchange of views with the OBJECT Of throwing all
possible iaht upon subjects which may sooner or later
tnpica of impOrtance, and upon which
have TO form definite policy. when the time comes
for action all thoroughly loyal %sn should agree TO
NAV agree upon unless IL should conflict with some
pr ncpe conscientously held in which case th.e who
80 dissent have undoubted right TO Withdraw their
connection not from candidate simply, but iron tho
party. This view OF political organization is tho ynly
on, have been able To End which will secure pi o?er
unity power of action, and ut the same time afford
r scope FOR progress OF opinion and that liberty u
in vidnal thought which, beg you 70 remember, "
ich the right Of candidates as Of those who nominate
them.
Our convention adopted O platform, Of which the
docrlnal part is substantially embodied in two propo-
ION. First rst slavery and lie institutions are IRE.
concilably opposed to freedom and free institutions, and
must be finally and completely eradicated." Secondly,
That President Johnsons policy Of Reconstruction
"endorsed with the proviso that the conlpetefestofa
ton Of the rebel states sha H. AZ such tins and upon
snch will give unquestioncd assurance OF the
peace and security not only 70 The lSy Of o' s
federal Union IL.
The spirit and disposition which should Control US in
1pterm
and all other questions Of policy accuinumng upon u.s.
we're likewise stated in two resolu'ions one urging the
example Of Sss syrea. ~ fnrpshod the Progress of
time and logic Of events" tho other declaring the
sty OF Keeping steadily in me great principles OF
our government ~ set forth 10 tue f~"on OF inde-
To oondense still move tho ssserct Of the posion OF
The party may ,. sad 70 be ne de,ssna9n o. ihe po
action Of truly loyal men, sctuaet by spirit ut orce
caous and controlled BY an earnest belief In the broad
Er..s.. ~t.lsa
ro those princplcs have given my pubic and sincere
adhesion You tho only mctabcr of the Union party
m the state whom have foufd ifnpaent D. commit
yonr hreshrcn advance OF the meet ~ Of Congress 20
dsrnite policy upon subject npn winch the conven-
ton had ny stronges, Implication decsred premature
20 decide what course ought ~ be taken The state
election decides such issues na proerrss ~
evonts IN the South VIII PROBABLY throw In.
creased Ugh, epon all such qnasuons; ", you
purpo- Of mutual assistance u arriving 1T a 40.
luton OF difficulty but under noice TINT he votes Of
your poplc win be determined fof against me by my
snswe think that In doing Won wrong 10th vour.
seyesAnd the members OF the whole political orennlza-
tioD (which we belong, and 10 yheh you gave pledge
OF ccpial cooperation upon the platform adopted
through your deiogates, who were present ~ the
ventin.
Formyseif hava no secrets 40 10 my orin,ops ana
have ievcr hcstated 10 declare them on proper occs
sions 20 far nave been from desiring conceal them
that fhsd sont before the receipt OF your letter pr
plan br the ua solution cf the problem OF recorgirnc
ton nd seeking his criticisms upon H. No restrictions
laced upon him 10 making " known, except such
hisown discretion and friendship might impose You
msinforred 70 my having requested my views 70
he PUBLISHED al my home elsewhere You must act
on yor own responsibility IN determining what publicity
you ali give 10 this The Importance 10 our coufry Of
determining rightly tho grave questions which must
probably be settled within the coming year is too gr
10 mae me willing 10 omit using whatever influence or
Information I may have In asnsting al the solution.
Wheeler In public private life shall freely give the
re.ut OF nv experience aud observation IN the South
durnf tho war and tho conclusions TO which my study
90 boti RI. on haa led shall expect thsi ne facts
,ba, fhave brep nm ant slavery from my ypih up.
hat fsaeeted NJ the original organization OF te epub
Ican ,arty and acted with ~ and the Union pa .ter
since and that have been federal soldier frOn The
rrc,s.r M Sumter 10 the surrender OF the last armed
ebo viii secure me candid and even friendly hear.