The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-27

ana possible ILLUMINATION, from the heart OF
the continent.
WENDELL PHILLIPS AND GOVERNOR
CLAFLIN.
From the Boston Traveller.
Wendell Phillips in his Fraternity speech
said:-''Three years ago, 1 announced
publicly that never again would speak to
William Clafin, and L never have done so
but in a single instance where the courtesy of
the occasion made it imperative" since that
time, however, and notwithstanding this
public announcement, the Republicans of
Massachusetts have nominated him for Gov
ernor three times by acclamation, have elected
him twice by large ma ajorities, and are about
electing him again,
The reason for this rupture is understood
to be because, while MIR. Clafin was in Gov
ernor Bullock's Council, Greene was hung,
and the Governor and the Council would not
interfere with the due course of the law.
The great philanthropist is on good terms
enough, apparently, with Governor Bullock,
who signed the warrant for Greene's execu-
ton, with the rest of the Council who ap-
proved it, with the court and jury who con-
victed him, with the full bench who decided
the judgment valid, and the very distin-
guished physicians who settled the question
of his sanity, and even with the sheriff who
hung the murderer. 1t would be charity to
Mr.. Phillips to discredit his statements as to
his treatment of Governor Clafin.
The case of the murderer Greene stands
thus-A beautiful, innocent, promising boy
the son of an esteemed citizen-was sitting
alone one day at the counter of bank in
Maiden. An acquaintance entered the room
with loaded pistol in his hsnd, and delibe-
rately shot him through the head. He fell
from his seat upon the floor, where he lay
with his imploring face towards his murderer,
who brutally discharged a second ball into the
head of his dying friend. He then quickly
robbed the bank Of about $1,000, sk9lked
away and concealed his plumber, and with
perfect GOODNESS went about his accustomed
business for several weeks. He was finally
suspected and arrested. He confessed the
brutal deed, was found guilty of wilful muir
der by the lawful tribunals, pronounced to be
perfectly sane by a council of very distin-
guished physicians, on the most careful ex-
animation, and was executed according to
law A more cold. blooded, atrocious murder
has never been committed in Massachusetts.
The law of capital punishment is in force
in this State. Mr.. Phillips has tried to change
it, and failed. The people believe that a vii
full murderer should be hung Mr.. Phillips
does not hesitate to speak to the people, and
even ask them for their votes If the Law is
wrong then it should be changed. AS long
as it stands, the Governor aad Council cannot
change nor annul it without cause. But Mr..
Phillips says the murderer was insane. The
physicians gave their opinion that he was
sane, and the Governor agreed with them.
MIR. Claflin was of the same opinion. Nobody,
not even Mr. Phillips, doubted that it was an
honest opinion. He therefore hates Governor
Clafin for an honest opinion. If he hated
every body whose honest opinions have diff
| fered from his own on many sub jects, Mr..
Phillips would have very few friends in this
| World-Yery few people to speak to-
Does MIR. Phillips mean to have it under
stood that he is so much opposed to capital
| punishment that he would not execute a con-
victed murderer? If so, let it be placed
amongst his qualifications for Governor.
Does Mr.. Phillips mean to say that he
would arrest the execution of a law of this
State because he does not agree with it's pro-
visions? If so, let that, too, be put down
amongst his qualifications for Governor.
Does Mr.. Phillips mean we shall under
stand that in order to defeat the law, he will
adjudge man to be insane against the
opinions of physicians and the evidence in
the case? If so set that also amongst his
| qualifications for Governor.
Does MIR. Phillips take the position that
because gentleman officially decides ques-
ton against him, he can justly hate him
so bitterly as not to speak to him again If
SO, put that amongst his special qualifications
! for Governor.
Does Mr.. Phillips believe that it is decent
to call Governor Clafiin a murderer for what
he did in Greenes case? If so, by all means
put that with his qualifications for Governor.
Does Mr.. Phillips mean we shall under
stand that mere courtesy is any good reason
why he should attend aoeddin9 with muir
derer, sit with him, talk with him, smile with
him, and treat him like friend, when it is
all sheer hypocrisy? If so, as a crowning
merit, put that amongst his qualifications for
Governor.
1t is we'll to discuss issues, soberly, fairly,
and thoroughly, but when one gentleman
attacks another in such q manner for such a
cause, and attempts to make political capital
out of it, he should have the full benefit of it.
Mr.. Phillips has lost great deal of real en-
joyment by depriving himself of Governor
Clahins society for SO long time. No man
can associate with him much without having
a sweeter temper and kinder disposition.
| SREOIAI NOTICES.