Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-07-01
Vice President Wilson's Views.

ago, letter to the Boston Daily Adpertiser,
stating his position on public questions, and e.
peoially defending himself against some un-
friendly criticisms put forth by newspaper
published n Washington, the Republican. We
print tile letter, o. follows - 0I 81 l.m8 ln'
Recognizing, to the fullest extent, the right
Of the press TO review and criticise the words
and acts OF public mon. claim the right and
believe II to be sometimes the duty of those 90
criticised to vindicate those words and acts. Act
ing upon these convictions purpose TO notice
some adverse criticisms that have recently ap-
psAred in few Republican presses -.
Eight years ago there was printed at the Capt.
tai . journal which assumed to be the organ Of
Andrew Johnson and tue exponent Of his ''poli-
cy." That journal still lives, and seems to be
hugely gratitisd with tho imputed reputation Of
being the organ Of the present Administration.
Recently returned from . short journey in
few Of the States South and West find myself
and trip to have been the innocent cause OF ex-
treme solicitude to the conductors Of this as
sumed organ and to those who inspire it, il
there be any, Of which entertain more than .
doubt. But all such solioitude, assure them, 10
uncallsd for. That little journey OF mine was
but the carrying out Of advice to take = few
had marked ont for the summer and autumn.
Kindly welcomed BY the people Of both races, by
DemocrAts, Republicans and Conservatives,
visited colleges, schools and marts Of varied in
duntries Being welcomed by people and press
tho twenty-nine brief addresses made Of pub
lie Affairs or Of party politics. / spoke flaw,
order, peace Of industry, material development,
education, temperance; Of justice to black
men and Of generous policy to white
and o s''e Of r. Tsypss s'ssdd ssd + f1
Crittenden, Boil and Benton. visited, too, q
dying ex-Vice President, and chatted q moment
with Mrs. Jefferson Davis in the streets OF Mem
phts. Never did make . more innocent or
agreeable journey than was crowded into those
SIX weeks. But find on my return that all this
is very significant. These welcomes from all
without distinction Of race or color these brief
speeches, thus visit to the couch Of dying man,
tlat little talk with the wife OF the President Of
The late Confeaersoy, were full Of meaning. The
" wandering Vice President" was +" too unAni-
NOUS" he was "the victim Of Presidential a.
pirstions," and he must be rebuked ~ other
gentlemen suspected OF like desirsy had been.
nK HAs NEVER HiNTED DESIRE TO BE A PRRsI-
DENTAL CANDIDATE. u1 .HrHl57
To all this reply that indulge, with thous-
ands Of my countrymen, the idea that tire Pres
be elected to that high Office, and clothed with
its vast powers for good by forty millions, in an
honor BY the side Of which uncounted wealth
must weigh ~ nothing. But, notwithstanding
others alike exercised that there is not one bo-
ing in all this broad land to whom l have
ever written, spoken, or oven limited
that I desired, hoped, expected, or in
tended TO be candidate. assure
them, too that have been 30 neglectful, not to
say discourteous, as not to reply to letters writ
ten me upon subject these Imaginative ones
deem me 30 Interested in. 1t may sooth their
anxiety further II 1 assure them that have
neither money nor patronage, nor an organ; that
! never made q promise, IN political life Of
thirty -fve years, to give office or patronage to
persons OF presses for votes or influence, and
that never intend to do 80. No money no
patronage no organ surely this pitabe con-
dition should console aud assure. il it docs not
placate, these distressed gentlemen, who see
organs, and protect mo from their jealousies
and their suspicious.
But there is another offence hardly less hei-
nous. On the morning OF my return to New
YORK was visited by sreporter Of the Tribune,
who propounded several questions concerning
my visit, and the condition Of public and private
Affairs. Those questions answered frankly AZ
would for any other papcr, and these answers
were Published without any revision OF mine.
They we're intended to reach and influence II
Greeley and the tens Of thousands OF Rspubli-
cans who aided last year by their votes, or
BY not voting at all, in losing two
thirds Of the States We had carried
in 1872, and IN converting Republican majority
of three-quarters Of million to minority of
half million. They who do not see that those
Republicans Of 1872 and those now deeply dis.
satisfied, but who are still proud Of the record
the party has made, hold in their hands the fate
Of the next Presidential election. little compre-
hend the condition Of public affairs, and OF what
is necessary to success. A journal that does
not zee the wisdom Of trying to influence dis
satisfied Republicans says that the Tribune
has said sundry unkind things of me,
most ass ,orspns tignts Of me ew with ndns
that my action may be ''excellent Christianity"
but 1t is not "self-respect" or '.manliness." /
came to the conclusion years ago that life is
too short to be spent in revenging mere perso-
nal wrongs, and have been for long while
forgivfng men and presses that have said un-
kind, unjust or untruthful things Of me. ex-
pect to forgive those who are 30 foolish to say
untruthful things Of me now. They need for
giyeness, and II can act in the spirit Of Eek
cellent Chriatianity," can afford to let my
''self-respe0t" and "manliness' take care OF
ME-. WILSON'S TREATMENT OF THE PRECEDENT
am accused too, Of not treating the Presi-
dent with becoming respect Wherep When
How? l am surely unconscious Of any such
purpose have seldom obtruded my opinions
upon the President and whenever have made
believed that what deferentially suggested
would be for the credit OF his Administration,
the success OF tho party aud the good Of the
nation. My opposition TO the third-term folly
has been construed, too, into opposition to
the PTssident wad But nothing is more un;
with such disastrous effect upon the party by
the adroit representations Of its enemies, / took
early occasion to say to timid friends that there
was no real danger that 1t WAS contrary to the
settled convictions and traditions Of the people,
and that they would elect no man President for
. third term. was actuated by no hostility to
the President, nor by favor to any one desirous
Of being his SUCCESSOR I deemed .the PROPOSE
tion. by whomsoever favored, quite as fatal to
the Republican party as would have been pro-
poeition to amend the Constitution 30 as to elect
President for life. u. q .l..a ..5.
Having opposed the policy of reconstruction
when adopted, it is not surprising that the or
gan sees Little or no progress in the Southern
States, and that it oriticises me for expressing
the opinion that there has been progress. aud
that there is better feeling than heretofore.
Having been an anti-savery man for thirty nine
years, and having read and thought much of
Southern affairs, examined with some care the
present condition OF the South. There have been
nnquestionable mistakes, mismanagement, and
in some cases corruption, on the part Of those
called to the high duty Of working out the prsc-
tical problem OF q reconstruCtion in those disor-
dered and devastated Commonwealths. But
l saw progress-slow, but l think sure.
Had q prophet at the close of the war pre-
dicted that in the short space Of ten yesgs there
| should happen just what has happened, few
WOulO nave Oelleve0 him. Then tho cOlOreO
race, inst emancpAted, had neither property,
homes, education nor political rights. Now,
though little accustomed TO habits Of economy
| and thrift, it possesses millions OF property has
| hundreds Of thousands Of children in schools,
has been clothed with civil and political rightp,
| occupies high positions At home, and has repre-
sentstives in Congress. Then the white race
with institutions, industries, and labor disorgan
lied, unaccuhtomed TO toll, disappointed and
defeated, were careless alike of the rights ol
the black men and the opinions Of their country
men. Now States, industries aud institutions
have been reorganized lSboris becoming more
honorable and universal, the Government il
more respected, the old flag is moro loved. and thu
| fsvora BILE opinions OF the Northern people more
highly appreciated. Much remains to be done
but = beginning has been made and hopeful pro
gress haa been already secured. There are ye
unscrupulous men who are seeking to divide 30
ciety and parties upon the perilous line Of race
God, these reckless men should receive the
sternest condemnation Of the patriot, the philan
thropist, and the Christian.
In spite, however Of all untoward influences
there is unquestionably kindler and bette
feeling pervading tho South. pity the head 0
that man who does not see and comprehen
it, and the heart Of him who does no
acknowledge, hail, and welcome it with graft
tude to God and with hope for humanity and til
nation.
1T MAY BE THAT HAVE SPOKEN
too often and too much, but my conviction
have forced me to raise quite often tho voice o
eptresty, advice, warning, remonhtrance an
protest. i fear from tho present outlook, an
the temper Of . few present it will be my duty
~ it will be that OF all devoted, experienced an
Lhouphtfnl Eienuhlicnns n, coptipuo tn IN w