New-York tribune., 1872-06-03
THE SOLDIERS PROTEST.


OTHERS.
The following is from Gen. II. A. Barnum, Chair
man of the Republican Soldiers and Sailors Ia
tional Committee Of 1868:
TO the Bditor Of The Trf6Une.
SIR: Prior to the Cincinnati Convention you pub
lished circular letter signed by Gen. Fitzpatrick
and Gen. Bartlett, Doth of whom have since Joined
the Cincinnati movementl and myself, addressed to
Representative Union Veterans of the late war in
various parts of the country asking in
call for Convention for the purpose of protesting
against the further progress of the alarming dsn-
tegration of the Republican party which has taken
place under the Administration Of Gen. Grant,
land formally, by resolution or otherwise,
| calling upon the Philadelphia Convention TO nom-
nate a candidate for President other than Gen.
Grant who would unite the party and lead it to VIC
tory"
Responses from all over the country some Of which
are nclosed for publication, show far more general
concurrence in the sentiments of that letter than
had supposed; yet the proposed Conventional has been
abandoned for the following reasons:
The machinery of tho noble Republican party has
been seized and in many cases usurped by the per-
sonal adherents of the President, and bis renomna-
tion determined upon at all hazards Conventions,
managed like the automatic images of itnerant
showmen, have been made to resolve that Gen.
Grant is our choice" All the power Of the Presi-
dents vast patronage has been reentlessly directed
| to this end, and the declaration Of the martyTod
Lincoln may be truthfully parodied in the state
ment that the Republican party, now controlled,
| has become "a party of the ohice-holders, by
| the Office holders, aud for the ofiee-hodersP
| Therefore We conclude that, however large
| our numbers, and however cOgent the reasons
of our protest it would avail naught The good old
Al = Il
| rect for the maestrom Of Grants denomination.
| Seeing all this thousands Of the veterans who, in
1868, earnestly asked for Gen. Grants nomination,
and labored for his election with the zeal with
| which they had fought for the flag, have already
joined the marching columns Of the people, who de-
| mand a new era in politics, who displayed their
batte1ag and chose their great captains at Cincin-
natl. Other thousands still await Philadelphias
tOn in the faint hope that awakened consciousness
of the demands of the hour may come to present
Republican managers before it is too late. Among
these is Yours respectfully, II. A. BARNUM.
| Ner Yor., May 81, 1872.
Gen. II. A. BARSUN-Dedr Sir: expect TO be in Ell
rope at the time OF the proposed Convention; bat am
prepared after due reflection, to sign the call.
have BEEN and hope be- faithful to the Republican
party. was also 1rm supporter OF President Grant
up 70 the time when Mr.. Sumner removed, through
his influence, from the Charmanshp OF the Committee
on Foreign Affairs Since then the whole aspect OF pot
cal affairs has rapidly changed We Of the most
important Of the Presidents denounced and
rdlculed by his chosen allies. and only supported by
those whom he has aienated from him. In such case
We have to choose between his and his men.
confess prefer the desire to the nom
nation OF President who can carry them 0ut-who mas
the power to reconcile instead ofdividng his supporters
who II he cannot unite the nation, can at least unite hs
own party. Very truly yours,
| THOMAS WENTWORTH HfGGINsON.
Ne-port, r. T. April 90 1872
Cen. H. A. BARSUNl-Dedr Sir: The letter signed by
yourself and Gems. Bartlett and fitzpatrick dated April
15 received yesterday. concur fully with you In the
object Of the intended call for Soldiers Convention
The Republican party, TO be protected by protest
against the denomination Of Gen. Grant Tor President
understand as am you do TO be the party Of re-
form and progress in oil the issues now Deioro the
people, An objection against political actlon OF num-
Der Of citizens in their quality as former soldiers can
easily be refued the claim Of Gen. Grant is mainly
based upon his representative character toward the Tor
mer armies of our Republic of which were the work
ing and fighting members. To give the names OF other
representative soldiers, do not feel Justified without
comforting with them. In the beginning Of next month
meeting OF the Army OF the Potomac takes place here
in Cleveland. We ought to prevent this meeting being
used in an unsound political direction suppose the
mere publication OF that call and its object will have
salutary and cooling effect the artificial Grant en-
| thusiasm. Very respectfully, yours, .u
AUGUST WHICH.
| Water Cure, Ciereldnd, April 22 1872.
MY DEAR SIR: Your favor Of 18th April, addrossed
10 me at Des Mones forwarded to this, place Of
residence after ten days quarantine. found it on
NV return from Cincinnati where had consented to
the nomination OF Horace Greeley, whom am bound by
honor and inclination to support regret therefore,
that cannot cooperate in any other organization unless
s purposes are philosophical and agricultural Very
truly, your obedient servant, FITz HENRY WARREN
To Gen. II. A. BarnuIn, NewYork.
Burlington. Conn, May 6, 1874
G,n H. A. BARNUM, Neu.YOrk City-GenerdI: Your
note inst received You can use my in the call for
the Soldiers and Sailors Convention TO be held In the
Citv OF Ney-York will others soon as possible
| and send YOU names. Yours &C., THos .. OSBORNE.
Chieago April 20, 1872.
GEN. BARSUM- Dear General The following names
were given TO me 10 send to you the call Of the Con-
venton Col. W. Sampson, Gen. o. L. Manu. COL c. NJ.
Clark. Major g. W. Mum, Major 8. NJ Blake.
Chicago, H., April q, 1872 THos' u osBokSh'
| ToH A. BARsUM-Dear General: II you see ft you
NAV mako use OF my name in the movement for Sol
d,ers, and Sailors Convention opposition to personal
ovornn,ent, and Grant Murphyism" shall certainly
attend the Convention. Respectfully yours, wi,
CHAs +. j. LEsEBAGH NJ D., Iate surgeon thN'J'0i''
am q Republican since 1855
Neodrk, N. j., April "a, l5I2'
IT. A. BARsuM-Dear General: Have returned your
call and protest am with you the subject OF the
demands Of the country not against put Tor another
man than Grant Make the call prominent before the
country and the Convention will be largely attended
| Yours, - y HAN'
DEAR GENERAL: You can my name 20 call for
the proposed Convention per circular. don't want
10 60 out from the Republican party; at the time
would like to see nominated at Philadelphia
who could get whole party vote which am certain
WM w. SANFORD, ex-Brlg Gen. Fols'
! ST. Louis, April as, 1879.
W. aofi iii.arfu