The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-09-12
WENDELL PHILLIPS.-SUMMER CRIT
ICISED DISSECTED.
GRANT INDICATED.
The following letter was addressed TO
Wendell Phillips;

BosToN, Mass, Aug. z, 1872.
Wendell Phillips, Esq:
| DEAR SIR The undersigned, honoring you
for life long devotion to the cause of hu-
man rights, request you to address the citi-
zens of Boston and vicinity on the political
issues of the day, at such early date as may
suit your convenience. With great respect.
we are,
| agna sr Yours very truly,
Rev. Alexander Ellis Rev. j. p. Shreeves,
pastor of Joy Street Church, and thirty
others.
The philosopher and orator hesitated and
finally declined the invitation; but in his
letter he took occasion to present his views
in most earnest and unmistakable manner.
Recognizing among the signers of the letter
many who had labored with him for years in
the anti slavery cause. he argues the pend
ing political questions with them as follows
SwAMPscoTT, Aug. 9, 1872.
GENTLEMEN You ask me to address YOU
on the question involved in the canvass be-
tween President Grant and Mr.. Greeley. 7
thank you for the confidence implied in your
request. Among you see many who have
been workers with me in the anti slavery
cause for years.
My residence here makes it inconvenient
for me to attend public meeting in Boston:
and indeed think can state my views more
satisfactorily in letter than in public ad-
dress. Ryou please, therefore, I will com
municate with you in this way, rather than
in the one you suggested.
| Ofcourse the first thought that occurs to
you and me just now is, that one of your best,
ablest and most watchful friends, Mr.. Sena-
tor Sumner, advises you to vote for Horace
Greeley and believes that your rights will be
safe only In his keeping. touch with irrev-
erent hand everything rom Mr.. Sumner.
can never forget his measureess services in
the antl-slaverY cause, and to your race.
Whenever read his words 1 read them over
Swallowed by the memory Of his early and en-
tire conservation to the service Of impartial
liberty-of that zeal which has never tagged,
that watchfulness which has seldom been
deceived,-of that devotion which has so
rarely shrunk from any sacrifice, which no
opposition could tire and no danger appal.
From such counsellor venture to differ
with great reluctance, and only after mature
deliberation. should hesitate TO publish
my dissent if were not sure that was
right, and he was wrong, that the occasion
was very important, and his mistake one
which leads to fatal results.
TMy judgment Is the exact opposite of Mr..
Sumn0r's. I think every loyal man, and es-
peclally every colored man should vote for
General 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 was one of the few loyal men who
protested, in 1868, against Grants nominal
ton, and seeing that have so often affirmed
that the Republican party had out lived it's
usefulness.
! Gentlemen, the reasons which lead me to
my opinion, in spite of my former views,
ought to give my judgment weight with you.
II am forced by late developments to my
present position.
You remember that in 1868, I emphaticaliv
denied General Grant s fitness for the Presi-
dency. Derided by the Republican press, L
went from city to city pr otesting against
his election. In private, with Mr.. Sumner
and others, I argued long and earnestly
against the risk of putting such a man in
such an office. At that time they saw only
his great merits and supported him heartily.
The defects of his administration are no sur
prise to me. may say, without Boosting,
that prophesied these defects. I do not
wish to hide them to-day. I entirely agree
with Mr.. Sumner as to the grave fault and
intolerable insolence of the administration in
the San Domingo matter. think the fire.
quent putting of relatives into Office highly
Objectionable, and the sad career of Webster
is warning enough against any man in pub
lie life yenturing to accept gifts from living
men. These and other defects are no sur
prise to me. A."
| GEN. GRANTS EMINENT MERITS.
The eminent merits of General Grants ad-
ministration are, I confess, surprise to me.
His truly original, statesmanlikc and Chris
tian policy toward the Indians is admirable,
and, standing alone, is enough tomake him a
statesman. His patience amid innnmerable
difficulties in our foreign relations is wonder
full in one bred soldier. The aid the ad-
ministration has given to the industrial and
financial prosperity of the country is a great
merit. General Grants prompt interference
for justice to workingmen in defiance of
those about him, relative to the execution
of the eight hour law, shall always remem-
Der. The crime of the Republican party in
tolersting the Kuklux is fragrant. aBut the
President and his immediate friends deserve