New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-08-22
A DOUBTFUL RECORD.
GEN. WILSON AS A KNow-NoTHING.


SETTLES THE MATTER.
| TO The Editor Of The Trtbvns'
| SIR Gen. Wilson has lately written letter, IN
which II do not quote the exact words, Tor al tht
moment it is not before mel he almost frantcay de
clares that he has never written said word
against the equal rights of ALL of whatever creed.
color or birthplace. have taken the trouble to re-
fresh my recolleetions Of page or two Of Gen WIZ
sons political life and give you the annexed cores
pondence In 1854, Gen. Wilson was the Republican
candidate for Governor in Massachusetts. After ac
cepting that nomination, being at that time as II az
terward turned out, member Of the Know Nothing
Order he attended the Know-NOthing State Conyen-
ton, joined in nominating Henry j. Gardner Is
candidate for Governor, and himself voted and pm
vately urged his friends not members Of the Order
to vote for Gardner against the candidate of the Re
publican party. himself being that candidate. Gard
ner elected by very large majority; Wilson re-
ceived about 5000 votes and the Legislature In both
branches was almost unanimously Know Nothing
The election of United States Senator deyolyed
upon the Legislature. Wilson wanted to go to the
Senate. His friends and was one of them, wanted
him to 90, provided his election could not be
claimed as an Endorsement of the proscriptiye
tenets of Acknowledgement. The Legislature was
perhaps about equally divided between Know
Nothings who believed in creed which they had
sworn TO- and those who didn't. One wing was 10
be cheated, and the problem was how to do II in
Gen. Wilson's interests Judge Russell now Col
lector at Boston, undertook the dirty job. Under
his manipulations, Robert B. Hall. Senator from
Plymouth, addressed a letter to Gen. Wilson. The
General brought bis answer to me for revision aud
criticism. / put it in the best shape could con-
sistently with It's answering its double purpose and
said as handed it TO him, There it is now throw
it into the fire. You are rolling in the mud for
nothing you will be elected Senator just as surely
without sending the letter" Here it is
Here Mr. Bird gives the letter which THE TRIBUNE
printed yesterday on It's editorial pageI
The General vas elected and took bis seat in the
Senate few days after, the following correspond
ence appeared:
From The American Organ, WGshingon C., f,b 10 1888
.ult. WASHINGTON. Feb. II, 1885.
two Week. have 70 ask you how far have correctly
represented your views in comments upon your letter
81 e n other wor do Ton or not recogn
the doctrine Of State Rights far as TO permit the sew
mode within their State limts Do you entertain
the opinion that Congress has power to interfere with
higher law doctrine which permits you senator
to disre rd the binding obligations Of the Constitution
brace the question Slavery among those for the
latOn of which that organization was formedf Your
answer at your earliest convenience Will oDlge,
Csirned yEsPAsIAS ELLIS, Editor American Organ.
SENATE CHAMBER. Feb. 49, 1885.
DEAR SIR: My answer to your inquiry shall be bref
First fully recognize the doctrine of State Rights in
its application TO Slavery well as to any other OF pub
lie The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions OF
17ss in the MAN. think correctly set forth that doc
rine The whole subject Of Slavery within state limits
should be left absolutely 10 State legislation.
second: My response your second question Is in
Guided in my your first do not entertain the
slavery as it exists under State laws
Third Every who believes in God must neees-
law that this law Is 20 be obeyed by men IN public
and private life, rather than any human law 70 cosict
with it, But nothing in the Constitution OF the
United States, understand the Constitution OF the
United States which requires me- as senator , rom
God. II thought Otherwise would not taAo an oatn
Fourth The American organization OF Massachusetts,
does not the question OF Slavery among those
of Massac6usets have fixed opinions, which OF
the members of that Organization fully concur against
ton they entertain the most profound conviction that
the harmony and epose OF the country and the highest
National Government should be relieved from all con-
nectiop with responsibility for Slavery aud that this
states Where il exists While they seek impose
these convictions and opinions upon Their ieowctzens
of other States prescribe them for not fuy con-
curing in convictions and opinions they VIII sub
NIT to dctaon prescription from any BODY OF men
or section of the country /, Senator from massa.
ehuses shall claim for the opinions OF her people all
the freedom Of utteranee ana an Tue IPS1 tue
eminent which Senator from Virginia can claim Tor
the opinions Of the people o. the ancepa sos
Vespasian Ellis, ESQ.,
hardly need say that this letter not sub.
mitted to me for revision 1t will be observed that
the two letters are evidently adapted to different
latitudes The letter to Hall, while indirectly aud
RinQery suggesting Nothing doctrines IL hiied
with platitudes such as love to all men and hatred
TO ponen and granting to men born in these lands
the protection Of just and equal laws" IObserve
how cunningly this phraseogy seems TO admit the
right to vote and hold office, but in fact denies itp
The letter to Ellis asserts emphaticay doctrines Of
State Rights aud non-interference with Slavery,
which thought necessary to conciliate Southern
KnowNothings in the then approaching Presidential
campaign and his answer to question -Four express
y declared that the Slavery question was ignored by
the party whose doctrines he had solemnly sworn TO
support.
In order to understand the significance of Wilson's
answer to the first question: it should be remembered
that the Know Nothing Legislature of Msssachu-
sets passed very stringent Personal Liberty law,
which was making a great deal of trouble in the
American" party, and Gen. Wilson called upon
| to dsclaim the doctrines Of that law. Hence the
necessity for his protesting State Rights doctrine IL
would be WELL Mr.. Editor, IL you would publish the
resolutions of 9s. 1t would also be valuable con-
tribution to political history if you would republish
| the Know Nothing ritual, which was made public
about this time Our naturalzed citizens, toward
opportunity to read the oaths which the Republican
candidate for Governor in Massachusetts, took
East Walpole, Mass, Aug. 10. f. w. BIRD.
THE UTAH INDIAN TROUBLES