The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-04-16
Sumner and Motley.

An Old Letter iroIu Senator Wilson
FROM the BJstou be, ADri! II.
The following letter frcm Vice President
Wilson, written while he wss Senator, Is
interesting a. corrobora;ing the statements
10 Sum1er's suppressed sleeah. This le.-
ter was written only eight days after the
death Of Lord Ciarcndor,--the event which
according to Secretary Fish, fixed the time
/ lor Motle7's removal This letter was
written s.after much reflection" The re-
port of the contemplated removal must
have gained circulation and credit more
| than a week before the date of the letter
/ to baye enabled " Nilson to gise much at
ten,ion to it:
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAsnkR,
WAsHIsGToN, July 5, 1870.
/ President Grant:
| DEAR SIR: After much reflection
| have decided that duty demands that !
should write to you my views touching the
proposed removal Of SIR. Motley. l fear
you VIII make sai mistake if you remove
him, and beg of you 20 consider the case
carefully before acting. His removal is
believed to be aimed at Mr. Sumner. Right
or wrong, this will be the construction put
upon it. Can you, my dear sir, afford to
have such an irnputation rest upon your
Administration Mr.. Motley is one of
the best known and most renowned Of our
countrymen. In letters he is Recognized
as one Of the foremost living authors ct
our country or OF the world. Office can
add little to his reputation. Removal from
Office, while it viii wound his feelings, will
no. affect his standing among the most
cultivated of the age. ! assure you, my
dear sir, that the men of Massachusetts,
whc gave you more than 10, 900 majority,
are proud to number Mr.. Motley among
their most loved and honored sons. They
remember that, during the War, his pan,
voice, and social influence and position
were on the side Of his struggling country.
They were grateful to you for his appoint
ment as Minister to England. need nc.
say that they are surprised at the rumor
that he is to be removed. They aIe pain
ed to have it said that his remaya! is on
account Of Mr.. Summers opposition to the
St. Domingo Treaty. HIS removal will be
regarded by the Republicans Of Massaohu-
setts as blow not only at him, tut at Mr..
Sumner.
There has been much feeling about the
treaty. ImPrudcnt words have been utter
cd as they always are when mems feelings
are excited, Perhaps Mr.. Sumner may
have been distasteful to you, bat the pee
pie OF Massachusetts are with him as ten
to one. Holding, CT general principles,
TINT the prominent interests Of the country
would he advanced by footbold in the
Gulf, and wishing to sustain your Admins
tration whenever | could DO SO, | voted for
the treaty, though knew that Hine-tepths
of the people Of my State were against 1t.
had i.othing to gain and something to
lose by suci vote. | am ready to take
the consequence of that vote; but am not
insensible TO the fact that the dismi.sa, of
Mr.. Motley, under present circumstances,
will not only be a loss to your Admins
traton, but blow to me- Personally. !
ask nothing, but do entreas you, before
acting, to look well to the ma tier. Your
Administration is menaced by great op-
position, and it needs peace and unity
among the people and in Congress. The
head of a great party, the President of the
| United States has much to forget and to
forgive, but he can afford to be magnani-
nous AMI forgiying. want to see the Presi
dent and Congress in harmony, and the
Republican PARTY united and victorious.
| To accomplish this, we must ali be just,
charitable. and forgisiug. Very truly.
UESRY WILSON.