New-York tribune., 1872-07-15
POSITION OF EX-GOy. WISE.

Ex-GOv. Henry A. Wise of Virginia has
written long letter addressed to Col Mosby, in which
he gives expression to tho following sentiments:
With me the question of choice for President ia
one OF honor and good faith TO others and myself.
udanum and arsenic put before me TO choose the
oisOn which will give the least pang OF death. l
not by whom would die easiest il is too much for
totake either as by either would die Which Is the
w,rs not which the best Is the question. IL not
which will conserve most, but which will hurt least. |
silly enough not to choose either II either will vitality
hut all IL they say that l. by not voting between
sucl alternatives, indorse Grant my answer Is that
Grant had better be elected without my vote than that
Gr6ey should be elected by It, will vote for neither,
anc by absence from the poll will express my eondemna
Iof both. III refuse 10 choose arsenic don't take
suidde That is the whole logic of the case. 1t is sui
cida choose either Do they say that Grant mill
tary martinez, Obeys orders and breaks 0wnersP You
NAV reply: Admit he is :" war dog" and bit badly
wh0hissed him on his preyi Was not Greeley united
witt Garrison and Thompson, and Gerrit Smith and
poo old John Browni Horizons life OF the crusade
mayr OF fanatcsm and the executive correspondence
of Virginia touching the raid. Is Grant given the
bothe Greeley has all the time been drunken from IA
nacism than Grant has ever been rom wne Has Grant
been heretofore afflicted by the guidance OF the four -
Seward, Stanton Stevens. ana sumnerf He is now
nd OF ali four, and the worst,of the letter S-whch
dng Does Greeley advocate "amnesty !" In
ulat hs was forestalled in Virginia. Congress
lad already. by vote OF twothirds on the pas
age of three several bills that the Rebels
should be permitted TO vote ana made every voter in this
Commonwealth eligible 70 any state office in the gift OF
t,e people and lately passed general law OF amnesty
Ineyer admitted the right OF Congress take away my
political franchises, excep. upon trial and conviction
Under laws not er post Caeto; and condemn the act
ghich assumed 10 remove disabilities which
ghtfully imposed. Neither constitution statute
made after thu fact and without competent authority
could impose political disabilities by way OF punish
ment for alleged crime wish 1t distinctly understood
that shall claim my personal aud State rights
aud privileges under any absoying act Of Congress.
For Congress Mr.. Greeley TO tempt by offers OF
amnesty to excite my Oathng contempt. They shall
not rst inct unlawful penalties upon me- and then for
their own ends not for my protection. insult me by claim
Ing favor from for relieving against their
crimes. The tyrants shall never atone TO by relax
ing or releasing their rufian grasp 1 Will, when re-
leased as have been only be the reer 10 yindcate
liberty have thanks orrespect for amnesty, coming
either from Congress, Grant Greeley, And especi
ally defy the authority OF conservative, any more
than radical legislature OF Virginia 10 add their sane
on 10 the tyranny OF the Congress OF the United states
don't know, however, that, II you will choose the
lesser ev, You don't make the best bargain IN tax
ing Grant lie Ii clear OF the four SIS and II he be the
dog of war" you may perhaps do best by throwing
him piece OF meat bread, instead OF trying 10 win
the master black Republican who set him III the
Conservatives may say they vote for Greeley To beat
Grant, you may As well cay you yee for Grant to beat