Year: 1868

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The Manchester IN. H. Union prints
the following letter from prominent
politician of that State:


WHITEFIELD, December 81, 1867.


To Hon. Z. II. Rollins, Chairman Repub'


licdR State Central Committee:


DEAR SIR: Having seen in the pro-
ceedings of the late Republican State
Convention that was a member of the
Republican State Committee, / take
the earliest opportunity after hearing
of its organization to inform you. as its
chairman, that cannot serve in that
capacity, and to give you some of the
reasons which have led me to this con-
clusion. think that the leadership of
the Republican party has fallen entirely
into the hands of extreme radical men.
Attached as have been to this party,
events have forced me in spite of my
self, with much regret and great re-
luctance, to this conclusion. My con-
science will not permit me longer to
act with the Republican party. | feel
that | have, as an American citizen,
obligations Of higher character than
mere fealty to party. l am, sir, for
peace. / am for a restored Union and
for the maintenance of the Constitu-
tion. Throughout the varying fortunes
of the late civil war down to its trium-
phant close, / gave the government a
firm and unwavering support. l was
unable, through an accident which de-
prived me of the use of my hand, to
infn 70 in Aon n
hardships of the field, but did contribute
a son to the army of the republic, who
was shot through the lungs at the bat
tie of Fair Oaks, but whose life, through
the mercy of God, was spared almost by
a miracle. When the shock of arms
was over and the enemy utterly over
thrown and entirely submissive,
looked for the speedy restoration OF
the Union under the Constitution.
l need not say how sadly have been
disappointed, and how day by day my
confidence in my party has waned, un-
til now it is clean gone. have become
satisfied that the short-sighted policy of
looking only at measures with reference
to their effect upon the party and utter
ly disrsgarding their effect upon the
welfare of the nation, guides and con-
trolls our leaders. To strengthen the
Republican party the attempt is being
made to introduce negro equality,
which will amount to negro supremacy
in some sections. l wholly condemn
the scheme of negro equality, and
believe to have negro supremacy III
any section is unwise and dan
gerous. To do this the Constitution
is trampled under foot, the common
sense of the people is outraged, the busi-
ness of our whole country is paralyzed,
and distrust and anxiety everywhere
awakened. l am profoundly impressed
with the serious nature of the difficult
ties with which the country has
now to contend-its unsettled state, its
immense debit know that the best
craftsmanship is necessary to extricate
us from our embarrassment. i see no
ability on the part of the men now in
Office or disposition even to do things
necessary to be done to give the people
peace, to ccouomize and devise a system
of Just and equal taxation that shall
cause our debt to be paid, or that shall
even diminish it. On the contrary, mat
ters daily grow worse. | feel, sir, that
the country demands and must have a
change of rulers, and so feeling, can
not longer act with the Republican par
ty, but she'll give my vote and influence
in favor of the Democratic party.


Very respectfully, yours,


CHARLES LlBBEY.