The Van Buren press., 1872-07-09
A Sensible Letter.

Eizur Wright. an old original Massa.
chusetts abolitionist of the deepest dye,
sends letter to the Boston Common
wealth which deserves careful perusal !;
You said in your last issue that so iar
as you had gathered the sentiments Of
Mr. Summers friends since his speech,
you had found scarcely one that ap-
proves it as wholly just or as likely to
add to his fame. Will you allow me to
count myself as one, and to give a rea.
son or two? Since perusing the answers
that have been made to that speech am
fully confirmed in the opinion that it was
not only wholly just as concerned Presi-
dent Grant, but that the corruption Of
the party that supports him has proceed
ed to such an extent that Mr. Sumner
had no right to withhold it, Whatever
iiaws may be picked in his taste or rhet
oric, his fidelity to the glorious ideal OF
republic, which every good citizen
ought to cherish at the risk Of party os-
tracism, will insure him fame enough in
the long run. Time will take good care
Of that. The tone in which the admitted
nepotism and Office selling Of the presi-
dent is accepted and justified by his many
servile and Shiny tongued advocates is
even more frightful than the facts them
selves. 1t makes man hang his head
for shame, and almost despair of the re-
public. The failure in Office Of one for
whose military services the republic is so
justly grateful ought not to have been
visited with the terrible penalty OF re.
nomination, still less should this penalty
be enhanced by re election. The party
should have tenderly laid him aside, so
as, il possible, to prevent the failure from
eclipsing the success Mr. Sumner
would undoubtedly have forogone his
speech if TIE mercenary politicians OF the
party had not by their too effective arts
made the denomination inevitable. Now
that he is renominated, if he has true
friend in the United States, that man will
be sure, whatever else he does, not to
vote the ticket with his name on it, if it
be only to prevent the blight which an
other four years of office is sure to bring
upon his fame. Mr.. Sumner performed
an unwelcome and painful duty, not a
moment too early and while he is howl
ed at as slanderous, malignant, bitter and
disappointed by unscrupulous and ma.
lignant partisans, there are many sadden-
ed friends Of Grant who know very well
that merciful rcticence is the most re-
markabe characteristic Of Mr.. Summers
speech. am at loss to see why friend
ship, not to speak of patriotism, should
not hold president to the strictest ideal
of the most austere period Of the reput-
lie, or what good can come to him by
letting him down to the level Of those
later administrations which slavery in
ncted upon us. 1t seems to me the ideal
of this decade should be higher than that
of any which has preceded it; and by the
sober second thought Of the people on
Mr., Summers speech, am sure it will
be- Party is not omnipotent, nor its
wire workers demi gods. A people who
so well know that they were emancipated
from the great curse more by the patri
otism and self sacrifice Of the multitudes
of the dead, than by the hsroism of any
one living, are not going to let presidents
down to the ideal Of Fisk and Tweed, or
the little Caesar who was extinguished at
Sedan. They will at last honor the era
tor who holds them to something little
better than the world has seen before.
am aware that in the present contest there
is nothing left them better than negaton
But there has come an occasion when no
is more affirmative than yes, so far rs
concerns the high purpose of the Repub
lcan party.