The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-08-09
General ". r. Banks.

we said, last week, that in our next issue
we would publish the letter of Gen. N. P.
BANKS, of Massachusetts, repudiating Gen.
GRANT and declaring his purpose to sup
port HORACE GREELEY. We give his let
ter below. Gen. BANKS as politician and
a soldier is well known to the country. He
was at one time Governor of Massachusetts,,
afterwards Speaker of Congress, then a
General in the late war; and is now one of
the ablest and most influential members of
Congress from the ''Old Bay State" 1t
is asserted, on the very best authority, that
fire other Republican members of Congress
from the same State will publish a letter in
opposition to GRANT and in favor of GREE
LEY inside of ten days. General BANKS
letter is both sensible and high-toned, and
no voter should fail to peruse it
Boston, July 81, 1872.
NJ Dear Sir Il have the honor to ac-
knowledge by this note, in addition to our
conversation to-day, the receipt of your in
vitatiOn to address the citizens of Lynn, on
Thursday evening, in support of the re-
election of Grant, and the policy of his
Administration.
No invitation could have greater weight
with me from any part of the country, nor
from any portion of my fellow-citizens,
and it gives me great pleasure to assure
you that nothing could be added to your
suggestions, as the representatives of the
citizens of Lynn, to induce me to accede
to the request.
Their kindness to me many years since
is a continual life-remembrance, and moth
ing would give me greater satisfaction than
to renew my associations with them but
Il 7
with them in regard to the Presidential
canvass.
Against my wishes and my personal in
terests, l am compelled to believe and say
that the perpetuation of the present policy
of the Government is not for the advantage
of the country, and that it will not tend to
establish its former good and prosperity,
nor to promote the interests of any class of
citizens. No personal feeling of any form
or character enters into this Judgment. 1t
is in view of general principles and public
interests alone that | am led to this conclu-
sion.
The uniting of the masses of the people
of all parties, sections and races, in support
of the grand results of the war is indiSpen-
sable to the permanent establishment of a
general recognition of these results 1t
can be secured by no other means We
shall all be forced to this conclusion sooner
or later.
This united action upon this basis has
been the hope of my life. l fervently de-
| sired it during the war, and III the recon
stTuction of the States subsequent to the
war. | believe it is now rendered in good
faith in the nomination of Greeley, and for
ore l cannot reject it. 1t was what de-
sired.
Its consummation, although sudden and
startling, does not alarm me. My duty to
myself and my country requires me to give
him my support. cannot advocate before
your friends different course which neith-
er my judgment nor my heart approves.
1t grieves me most deeply to separate
myself in thought or act from any one of
those with whom have been so long asso-
ciated, and to whom 1 am so greatly in
debted, but l believe the result will justify
my action, give to the country that peace
and prosperity which is the object of all
our labors, and secure to every citizen civil
and political equality, and that freedom
which was won by the sacrifice of so many
valued lives.
Accept the assurances of my lasting
friendship and esteem, and believe me
Yours, &c. n. p. BANKS.
James S. Lewis, Esq, Lynn.