Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-07
wendell PHILLIPS interviewed.

The New York World takes interest enough
in Massachusetts politics to send a reporter all
the way to Swampscott to learn what Wendell
Phillips can tell of the situation. Mr.. Phillips
was very cordial and communicative, although,
with an unaccustomed and possibly insncere
affectation of mOdesty, he prefaced his remarks
with the assertion, in which many people will
agree with him, that he didn't think his views
were worth any thing. He gave them, how
ever, at considerable length and with great
frankness. About state politics he thinks that
DIR. Loring may be governor of Massachusetts,,
but not at present; his nomination would risk
the success of the republican party; he has
strength especially in the country districts, but
there are stern objections to him among large
section of the people; in Essex county he is
hated bitterly; on the cape he is not known at
all; elsewhere he is popular among the farmers
but they are a sluggish set, and their sup
port cannot be depended upon to elect
a governor. Thus cruelty does Mr.. Phil
lips crush the budding hopes of the bucolc
candidate. Some of the other suggested candi-
dates he dispatches quite as summa'ily. Rice
and Jewell are frog pond candidates." and
JSNOll bSsluNc hhiCu uiAueOA WHICH HC ouOStCu
at the woman question. 1t would be hardly
possible to carry the state with such man as
Mr.. Washburn; the democrats and labor-re-
formers united might elect their candidate; not
through republicans voting the democratic ticket
but staying at home. "The republican party has
an immense amount ofstaying at home strength
in it." If Governor Clafiin should be renoni-
mated, MIR. Phillips thinks be would be elected,
and he also thinks it not fair that he should be
asked to yield the place without some provision
being made for him. A man of his fair charac.
ter, abilities, and party position, cannot be ex-
pected to stop with no political future, and he
ought to be sent to congress from Banks or
some other district.
But all Mr.. Phillips enthusiasm is reserved
for Butler; he is the strong candidate; he will
plant himself on such positions that the labor
party will rally to his support; he will be accept
able to the leaders of the woman movement and
almost equally so to the temperance leaders. He
is the most prominent character in state politics
his course in congress has been a success, and
"there are only one or two men in the state who
can go ahead Of him in mere ability" Aside
from these predictions as to the re
publican nomination, Mr.. Phillips further
confded TO the reporter that he should
not be nominated by the labor party this year
and should never stand for any office again
that the labor party is in the field, and will
never go out again, and win make separate
nomination, unless Butler is willing to accept
their nomination, no matter what other party
dominates him; that the prohibitionists have
sacrificed their right TO political existence; that
the republican party in Massachusetts is pretty
much party Of spoils, that it is suffering from
a surplus of ability, and can't take care of lis
rising men; that there is no life in Massaehu.
sets republicans m, except supporting Butler
or fighting him; that, with Butler for governor
the party would be on the high road TO health
and strength, and would go into pulmonary
consumption with Clalin or Loring.
About national politics, Mr.. Phillips thinks
that Grant win be elected president in 1872, il
any republican is elected, but there is doubt
ABOUT that if the south is left in its present posi-
non. The danger TO Grant comes altogether
from the south. Greeley would like to be nomi.
mated, but has no more chance of il than some
heather who has been dead a wear. The pe,,
departure, 80 far as any election except this
very next year is concerned is like stealing a
mans grave clothes, but for the next election
there is much greater probability OF success,
than men imagine. The apathy Of III,
government on the kuklux question ex
cites Mr.. Phillips most indignant rep