New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-07-30
THE JOHNSON CONVENTION
letter from the Hon. a. Oh.
Stephens.
He Endorses the Call, and Announces His
Intention to Attend the Convention.

speeiL Dispatch to The ~ Y. Tribune.
WARRINGTON. July 90 isoC.
To the Editor Of The National IatelIiseaer.
GENTLEMEN / ask place in your columns Tor the
uelosed letter to from the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens
In communicating 1t to the press taking questionable
liberty with him. for the tcr marked private But IN the
present of the country think II SO desirable
that people should know the real temper Of the South that
feel justified In Publishing this letter from one who at the
outbreak Of the the representative Of the Union
party Of South aud the recognized exponent OF the
southern sentiment at this moment.
President Lincoln had great confidence IN Mr. Stephens.
He told repeatedly be had offered him seat in the
Cabinet and be retained great regard for him TO the last
Yours respectfully M. BLAIR
Montgomery County. Nd, july 30, 1866.
CRAwFoRpvILLE. Ca, July ss 1866.
TO tie Hon. MONTGOMERY BLAIR, Washington d. c.
pEAR SIR: Your letter If the 18th inst is before
THANK you heartily for It, No man in tie United States
did could cordially approve and ndorse the objects OIL
the proposed Union Convention at Philadelphia as under
stand than did and yet rom considerations OF e1pe
dieney doubt proprey OF taking active part In IT,
was also doubt to extent whether, Win other
vie on the part who made the call the words were
not phrased the call exclude oil who occupied
similar position and from other considernons as
hose which had occurred TO Your letter has relieved me
from this last class Of doubts but those Of the other class sui
exist notwithstanding your strong views TO the contrary
Individually whole soul II
fall and perfect OF the government under the Con-
sutuon as now stands There nothing within my power
that nn not wiling cbcefaly to do TO accomplish that
end Indeed, you will me In saying H. but IS the
truth voad willing to offer my life Itself by 80 dong
this grea, could be asncd and harmony proc
perliy happiness and constitutional liberty be secured to the
millions now living the untold millions hereafter to live on
lhls Continent.
There are many personal cmbarGsmenis or difficulties In
the wsy Of NY going 10 the Convention. These aaded 30
before resolved TO be there II can In no event
shah be truihsy said that fasd everything in
ny poWer TO the country and It's Institutions
Ibid in SO exert my efforts to their utmost extent to
AVOID the late ases,abe and 10 serve the Union on
Couiitutonai principles vhouts coafct Of arns This
did too while many OF those clamoroas for what they
cal the Union giving encouragement ai least
10 the extreme South by clearly and decidedly n-
maiug II not .ay expressing perfect willingness on thee
part that Union light slide II the people Of tho South
50 wiLed Il.
IvAs even tainted with endcavoring to hold people
to Union ibst longer cared for BY leading men Of tho
douaai parts the North u,hsiood these iauns even
whom knew or was ibor ned truly believed that there
was 90 organized body Savannah 10 seize the Cnsto
House Paast ani forth In case the state dd ho'
seooe All this stated 70 yol and to which you nn"o IN
,orr letter before should have any hescney IN stat
ing to tue pubs any public good could thereby be ensefed
Th, pablo good my ouy object, How best to sabserrc that
cos,ieuey with Truth. horoF aud uprghnes Ia the only
question with nc.
Personal interest. have sguence with me whatever OF
lo,st think so and may be excused Tor saying So Had
been governed by personal feeling, should have had nchns
do With the late troubles further than entering my earnest
po,e, sssi,st th And had been governed by personal
feeling should not 10 in tie situation am Hthe
Union shall restored under tho Con't1oo as earnestly
desirc 10 zee done and vsg 10 do al can ths'
end ny fixed purpose 70 retire from all connection N'h
public affair; that while il would seem that my present
efforts are tndbg result in which have more or less per
.n.lint.re that IT, admission as Senator In Congress-
yet ASSURE you never expect in,end TO bold that post
,0, aas sls the scat should be asI.si 10 20. E:c.
,oo,. aIix,NpLR II. sTreHrSs.