The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-27
THE POLITICAL WORLD.
Important Letter from Hon.
Henry J. Raymond.
NE DECLINES a RENoMINA-
TON FOR CoNcRESS.
A Review Of His Past Career.

Some time since large number OF influential
citizens of rhe Sixth New York Congressional
District wrote a letter to the Hon. Henry ].
Raymond editor OF the New York i,meS, and at
present a represen in Congress, asking his
views upon natioual questions, and also request
ing him to accept "a denomination. Mr.. Raymond
replies as lollows:-
Mr.. RAYMoND's LETTER.
NEW YORK, Saturday, Sept To- .-Gentlemeu:-I
thaLk you most heartily for the expression of
regard and confidence tcGdered to me as your
Representative 10 Congress. l cannot accept as
deserved the compliments you pay me upon the
manner in which the duties OF that position
have been dIscharoCd; but do accept and am
very grateful Tor them, as evidences of the
kindly interest with which you have followed
my course and OF the charitable construction
you have placed upon my acts. am especially
eratifed by your appreciation OF the extreme
difficulties OF my position, and OF the imposs-
bility of meeting the wishes and expectations of
all classes OF those who gave me their votes
without sacrificing that independence of judg-
ment and OF action which alone makes seat in
Eongress either useful or desirable,
When was elected in the fall of 1864 the war
had not closed, out its end was foreseen, ana
the question OF restoring the Union had engaged
large degree OF public attention. President
Lincoln, i'll the previous March, had rendered
full amnesty ana paldon to such of the inhaOi-
tants OF the States in rebellion, with certain
specified exceptions, as would take an oath of
States, and TO the laws of Congress and the pro-
camations OF the Eyecut We on the subject of
slavery; and had pledged himself to recognize
and guarantee, as republican in form, any State
government which such inhabitants might set
up, provided they were in number one-tenth of
the votes cast in such State at the election of
1860 In June, the National Union Convention
at Baltimore adopted resolutions substantially
endorsrg o the principles upon which this action
of the President was based. My own position
at the time OF my nomination was well under
Stood
/ had repeatedly declared ia speeches, and
from day to day in the columns of the news
paper under my CONTROL that / regarded the
States as still within the Union; that the war
had in no respect enlarged the authority con-
terred upon Congress by the Constitution; aud
that the suppression OF the Rebellion would
fully re-establish the supremacy OF that funda-
mental law. l was elected upon this platform,
and so far as l was aware, no one questioned its
substantial accord with the sentiment OF the
Onion party. When Mr.. johnson became Presi-
dent. after the close of the war, he made it the
basis of his official action, and set in motion the
machinery OF government in the Southern States
IN conformity with IT'S requirements. And the
tember, 1865, passed resolution approving his
action, indorsing the policy OF kindness and con-
citation out OF which it grew, and pledglng TO
it their support.
When took my seat in Congress | endeavored
to act in conformity with these principles, to
which l was thus pledged. When diderence
of opinion arose between the President and Con-
gress, did all in my power to prevent Its grow
ing into hostility, for l could see nothing but
ruin to the Union party and disaster to the
country from such a breach between the two
departments of the Government. l soon found
myself separated in this course from the majo-
rity of the Union party; but as the differences
did not seem to be vital, or to touch principles
. upon which the party had ever pledged its men,
bers, | continued to act upon my own couvic-
tions OF justice and OF public policy voted
and spoke always for the recognition of all the
States us States in the Union-tor recognizing
as valid the State Governments organized within
them in conformity with the proclama.
tions OF Presidents Lincoln and Johnsou-and
Tor completing the restoration OF the Union by
admitting to their seats in Congress loyal mem.
bers elected from loyal States, who could take
the oath prescribed by law in conformity with
what seemed to me the intent and meaning OF
the Constitution of the United States. Aud to
prevent any intrusion into the preliminary
action of Congress OF men who could not take
the oath prescribed by law. introduced reso-
luton instructing the Judiciary Committee to
report bill changing the existing practice in
regard to the admission of members. AT pre-
sent any person whose name the Clerk may put
upon the roll is permitted to vote for Speaker
the most important act of the whole session
even If he should refuse the next hour to take
any oath at all. l proposed to require every
member to take the oath before taking any part
in the organization of the House. This, il
seemed to me, would afford full and sufficient
safeguard against the admission into Congress
OF men who had taken an active part in the
Rebellion. The resolution passed the House
but the Committee did not see ut to repor
the bill.
Upon incidental questions that arose durins
the session l endeaVored to act with d wis
regard to the public welfare. l voted for thC
Freedmen's Bureau bill when first presented
because deemed the object il sought to secure
viz, the protection, support, and care of thu
eniranchsed slaves-to be ofthe utmost import
ance. When 1t was returned by the President
| acquiesced in his objections, mainly in con
sideration of the fact tnat the existing Law
would not expire until April, 1867, and tina
the present Congress would have an opportu
nifty, after more full experience Of its opera
ton to take such action in regard to IL as tha
experience might show to be essential,
The Civil Rights bill, when presented in tn
form of law did not support, because be
iieved in common with Messrs. Bingham an
Delano. of Ohio bale, of New York, and othe
able Union lawyers, all OF whom spoke agains
il. that some of its provisions were not wa
ranfed by the Constitution. Bnt introduced
hill 10 attain the same practical object by d
claring all persons born on the SOIL OF the Unltt
States TO be citizens thereon, and entitled 10 9
the rights, privileges, and immunitles OF citizen
in conrts OF law and elsewhere; and when tn
provision was afterwards presented as an amen
ment to the Constitution gave 1t my supper
in speeches and by my vote.
And when. after delay whchS seemed to .
utterly needless and calculated only 70 excl
public passion and embitter political feeling, q
Reconstruction Committee reported the Cons'
tntioMal Amendment now pending In the sever
States for ratification, I gave II my vote-as
had previously supported every principle II e
bodied in various speeches during tue sessio
think the main principles OF that amendme
eninentlY wise and proper, and trust u VIII
adOpted by this State and by enough otners
- 40 atQl