The Portland daily press., 1872-08-20
Letter from Wendell Phillius,

Mr.. Phillips in response to an invitation of
a number of colored gentlemen, has written
the following letter:
SwAMPsCOT, Aug. 1872.
Gentlemen: You ask me to address you
on the questions involved in the canvass be-
tween President Grant and Mr.. Greeley. L
thank you for the confidence implied in your
request. Among you l see many who have
been workers with me in the anti-slavery
cause for years.
NY residence makes it inconvenient for me
to attend public meeting in Boston; and
indeed l think L can state my views more
satisfactorily in letter than in public ad-
dress. If you please, therefore, l will COM
municate with you in this way, rather than
in the one one you suggest.
Of course the first thought that occurs to
you and me just now is, that one of our best,
ablest and most watchful friends, Mr.. Senator
Sumner, advises you to vote for Horace Gree
ley, and believes that your rights will be safe
only in his keeping. 1 touch with reverent
hand everything from Mr.. Sumner. l can
never forget his measureless services to the
anti-slavery cause, and to your race. When
ever l read his words read them overshad-
owed by the memory of his e;lrly and entire
conservation to the service of impartial liber-
ty-of that zeal which has never tagged
that watchfulness which has seldom been de-
ceived-of that devotion which has so rarely
shrunk from any sacrifce-which no opposi-
ton could tire and no danger appal. From
such counsellor venture TO differ with great
reluctance, and only after mature delibera-
ton. l should hesitate to publish my dissent
if l were not sure that was right and that
he was wrong-that the occasion was very
important, and his mistake one which leads
to fatal results.
My judgment is the exact opposite of Mr..
Summers. / think every loyal man, and es-
pecially every colored man should vote for
Gen. Grant, and that the nation and your
race are safe only in the hands of the old,
regular Republican party.
Some may ask how come to think thus,
when l was one of the few loyal men who
protested, in 1868, against Grants nomna-
tion, and seeing that have Sc often affirmed
that the Republican party had outlved its
usefulness.
Gentlemen, the reasons which lead me to
my present opinion, in spite of my former
views, ought to give. my opinion more weight
with you. am forced by late developments
to my present position.
You remember that in 1868 / emphatically
denied Gen. Grants fitness for the Presldeh-
cy. Derided by the Republican press, went
from city to city protesting against ms elec-
ton. In private, with Mr.. Sumner ana 9TH
erS, argued long anu ediucSdy e'S"hiSo INC
risk of putting such aman into such an office.
At that time they saw only his great merits
and supported him heartily. The defects OF
his administration are no surprise to me- !
NAV say without boasting, that prophesed
those defects. l do not wish to hide them to-
day. entirely agree with Mr.. Summer as to
the grave fault and intolerable insolence of the
administration in the San Domingo matter
1 think the frequent putting of relatives int
office highly Objectionable, and the sad career
of Webster is warning enough against any
man in public life venturing to accept gift:
| from living men. These and other defect:
are no surprise to me. The eminent merit
of Gen. Grants administration are, confess
a surprise to me.
| His truly original statesmanlike and Chr,s
tian policy toward the Indians is admiraple
and, standing alone, is enough to marx MN !,
statesman. His patience amid ihnuineraoi' .o'
difficulties in our foreign relations Is wohder
full in one bred soldier. The ana the aaihih
istration has given to the industrial anu nhan
cial prosperity of the country is great merit
General Grants prompt interference ior jus
tice to workingmen in defiance to those abou
him. relative to the execution of the eigh