Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-09-23
GEORGE 5. BAIL.
DIR. GEO. r. LoRING, Salem, Mass.


SALEM, Sept. IS, 1871.
MY DEAR SIR: To your request and to that
OF many soldiers and civilians, in this CITY and
elsewhere, for statement of the views enter
tanned by me on questions of national impor-
lance, during the war, | most cheerfulIy re-
spond; not because deem such response
necessary for any special purpose at this time
but because desire to crafty my friends, and to
put an end, if possible, to the unjust attacks Of
my enemies. When espOused the cause of re-
publcanism in Massachusetts, did it from a
deep conviction Of the importance of IFS politi-
cal doctrines to the welfare and prosperity and
peace of the country. 1t did not occur To roe
that any views | had previously entertained
rendered me unfit to advocate the doctrines of
the republican party; neither did that appear to
occur to my respectable and eminent tOwnsmen
who called me from my seCluSiOn for such ser
vice, nor to the distinguished leaders of that
party who gave me most cordial welcome into
the ranks.
The respect which they manifested for me at
that time was most gratifying, and | preserve
the warm and afiectionate letters OF Governor
Andrew and ms associates in the councils of
Massachusetts, on that occasion as among my
most valuable documents. | entered upon my
labors with eanesmess, and was assured Nv
republicans struggling for position, with very
considerable effect, OF my capacity to serve the
party and the cause of my country, there seemed
10 be no manner Of doubt. You can hardly
imagine my surprise therefore, when on nv adj
Nancelnent 10 DlSnef stalOu i was charged for
the first time, by members of my own parry
with disloyalty. | remember well the earnest.
ness with which this charge was pressed upop
me, when, as a member of the Massachusetts
house Of representatives, was opposed in nv
endeaVors TO support MIR. Sumner and congress
against the attacks and arts of President John
son. But my endeaVOrs were successful. Mas
sachusetts took her stand once more with her
great senator in the work of reconstiuctng the
government, and the charge passed out of my
mind. / heard it ieebly uttered again when
was chosen a state delegate to the Chicago con-
Ventlon, which nominated General Grant for the
presidency; but found very few who listened
10 II, very many who were Disguised and indig-
naht al lt-and so forgot il once more Ii was
pretty literally distributed i understand through
STATE convention Of1S6S when Gov. Clahin was
| nIst Nominated; but the enthusiastic reception
"hich mat convention gave me after the nomi-
It I' mis ulaue, led me TO suppose that the
| charge had produced but little effect unon thar
| large assembly of Representative rennhI;cons
uhieSs IL was 10 treat me with more kindness
than / thought deserved soon disna,,n.od
that IL was ohiy When 1t appeared probable that
] might be candidate in some form tbat this
charge was preferred against me; never when /
was tOiing day and night in public asscmbly
through long and weary campaigns for tba ~
| publican laith-never when a word of ,nino
would aid fellow-republican in his election
/ never when my service was bestowed mon
| others-but always when the natural fruits M
hard political labor and faithful endeavor seemed
TO be falling into my lap. was all well enough