The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-14
DOUBLE sHEET---THREE CENTS.

l am quite unwilling however, to decline the ap.
pointmoht without q distinct expression or my
hearty concurrence IN the general views Of those by
whom that Convention has been called, and Of my
earnest hope that its deliberations may conduce 10
the earliest practicable restoration OF all the States
oil the Union to the exelcIse of their CONSTITUTIONAL
privileges in the national Government.
can add nothing am aware, TO the arguments
which others have already presented on tins subject
and adlY avail myself of the LANGUAGE OF Judge
Curtis IN his late admirable leter:-iTO suppose
that the Government of the United States can. IN
and unlimited power over part OF territory aud
people just so long it may choose to do appears
horrent to right reason, and inconsistent with the
nature of our Government" With Judge Curtis,
are now as rightlully and shou be as eectualy in
Il Union as they were before the madness of their
people attempted to carry them out"
Most happily, Congress did not adjourn without
admitting TO their seats the Senators and Repreeen-
tatives OF Tennessee out that very act has rendered
1t all the difficult to discover any thing OF Con-
sutuhonal principle, or ANYTHING of true national
policy in its persistent DENIAL OF all representation
TO the other Southern states. Congress has ample
means of protecting itself, and Of protecting the
country from the presence of dlsloya men in the
power which each branch possesses of deciding
without appeal on the qualifications OF Its own MEM
bers. Had the case of each individual Senator or
Representative elected from ten States laIey IN Re.
be ion been taken by itself and ia rlY considered
on ITS own merits, agreeaby to the wise suppOsions
OF Present Johnson no one could have complained
whatever might have been the result. But know
not how either branch could have consented, as 1t
pendence by submitting any qut stlon as to its men,
bers either to legislative executive discretion.
This great question of representation is not aques-
ton which concerns only the Southern States who,
know, are regarded by not few unre entng men
as having forfeited all rights which the Northern
States ave bound to respect. 1t Is question which
concerns the Constitution and the whole country.
The people of the whole Union have right TO de,
mand OF their public servants exact and faithful
Observance or the Constitution and OF all its pro-
tutOn that their blood and treasure nave beSn DOuTed
out so avlshly during the last four years OF civil
war. Who could have believed in advance, that
year and half after that war had ended, and after
the Union had been rescued and restored so far as
gallant armies and navles could 9mplish it,
nearly one thId OF the States should stlll be seen
knocking in VAN at the doors OF the Capitol, and
should be denied even a hearing In the councils of
the countryI such course may, indeed be calcu-
late 10 prolong the predominance of party but it
seems to me utterly inconsistent with the supre-
macy of the Constitution
imputatons either upon parties or upon individuals.
hope that a spirit OF forbearance and moderation
will prevail at Philadelphia, notwlthstand ng the
insulting and proscrptiye tone in which the Con-
vention has been assal ed by SO many of the oppo.
shall be greatly disappointed confess, II through
the influence of that Convention, or through some
Sasa not es PsSSs Of to
OF allowing the Constitution OF the United
states to be ongs the subject Of par
OF those who are sworn to supportit. 1t 10 vain to
Offer test oaths to others, II we fail to fulfil our own
excuse for many rrequ Ia ares both legislative and
executive. But now that, by the blessing Of God,
a state of peace has been restored to US, we
are entitled to the Constitution and the Union
in all their legitimate authority and extent.
| Nothing less than the who 9 Constitution and the
whole Union ought 10 satisfy For one /
should despair the restoration of law and order
in ten Southt rn States and even of the mantenance
of our national credit If there should tail to be
exhibited at Washington SON ething of that scrupu-
lops adherence to the Constitution and the laws
which characterized the earlier days OF the Republic,
Nor could anything IN my juogment be of more
baleiul influence upon the future career of our
unfr fhan fhofG
holding in allowance any provision of the Constltu-
tion, until they shall have been changed, under
interests of predominant party. Against such
course of proceeding, l trust, the Convention nc
Philadelphia will put forth seasonaDle and effective
Once more regretting my inability to be present
at the Convention, and thanking all to whom am
indebted for the honor OF being named as delegate
irenain, dear sir with great regard, very faith-
fully yours. ROBERT G. WINTHROP.
While Mr. Winthrop thus fully endorses the
Convention, although unable to be present,
Judge Edwards Pierrepont, of Brooklyn, N. Y,
has refused to have anything to do with the
flair He writes the following letter to the
editor of the New York Iribune:-
SR:-Please correct the statement in your issue
OF TO-DAY that am delegate to Philadelphia.
declined to take part in that Convention
EDWARDS PIERR
Poughkeepse. Monday, August 19, 1866.
The absence of Judge Pierrepont will be a
severe blow to the Convention, for he is one of
the men who carry weight in the affairs of the
pOltlcal WOrlu. Inere VIII De some CompenSa-
ton for this, however, in the absence OF Fer
nando Wood and his brother Ben, who are
generally considered as dead weights" upon
everything in general and conventions in par
ticuiar. He has written the following meek
epistle, the reading of which caused great
rejoicing in the select conservative ranks. After
Senator Doolttle, TO whom it was addressed,
had received it, he is said to have rushed into
the rotunda of the Continental, and to have
embraced Fernando in the presence OF the won-
dering crowd. The letter reads thus:-
PHILADELPHIA, August 13.-To the Hon. James
X, DoolIttle, Chairman, etc.-Dear eirj-L am car.
nesty desrOus for the entire success OF the movement
proposed to be initiated by the Convention tO-m0r-
row. IL successful, the results to the country will
be of the most satisfactory character and 1t cannot
be successful its proceedings shall be disturbed by
any cause whatever. l am informed that serious
disagreement is likely 10 arise in consequence of
attempt TO be made to exclude some DELEGATES my
self included, because our political record Is dIs-
tasteful to the radicals and their sYmpathlsers.
Now, although feel confident that such an out
rage would not be perpetrated by the Convention,
and though have nothing to regret take back
as to my course during the war, and do not admit
the right OF any TO raise that question IN the
Convention, yet am too much devoted TO the high
and patriotic objects in view to permit my presence
there 10 be means of disturbing its deliberations,
or an excuse for assault by its enemies outside.
Therefore shall not attend the Convention as
delegate. FERNANDO WOOD.
BY the time that Fcrnando's withdrawal had
become generally known, Henry Clay Dean, of
Iowa, had come to the conclusion that the
Democratic party had been sold out by lts
leader. He therefore sat down and gave vent
to his feelings in the following epistle;-
Hon. JOHN NJ ELwooD, Chairman of the Democratic
I0soa State entrdl Committee.
NY Dear Sir-ThTOugh the kind confidence of she
DEM cratic party have been honored with the APP
p0intment OF delegate to the Union Conservative
National Convention, for which to that lnvincible
body OF true men who constitute the Democracy OF
Iowa, return my profound thanks, most heartily