Year: 1876




Shall 1, or Shall I Not!


To the Editors Of the Boston Daily Aduertiser:


Will you allow a much bewildered man to
attempt to explain the cause of his confusion
and to ask your advice? have been for wears
an earnest politician, by which term mean
that have always voted and worked for prin-
ciples and men apparently worthy of support.
have BEEN a steady and persistent Republi-
can, because in the success of that party alone
could l see any prospect of the triumph of
right principles. voted for Fremont and
Lincoln and Grant as the standard-bearers of a
just cause. bolted Butler and Talbot and so
on, two years ago, because it seemed possible to
separate men from principles, and the men
were not to my liking.


But now am in quandary. 1 am solicited
to join Bristow club, and 1 am trying to see
whether, on principle, should do so or not.
l ask first the cause of its existence, having
reluctance to join club devoted solely to the
advancement of oEe man. L remember that
there were Tweed clubs in New YorS and
Flynn clubs in our own city; and do not
exactly like the idea of a Bristow club, at least
before he has become the nominee of either of
the great parties.


am assured that this movement is in the in
terest of Reform, and is great uprising of the
independent voters, and all that; but find its
supporters in this city are the Democratic Her.
aid and the nondescript Globe look in vain.
Mr.. Editor, in your columns for advice, and /
have decided to ask you for it, poin. blank.


1t had really seemed to me that the object of
National Convention was to select a capdi-
date; that there were several very suitable and
ut persons in the Republican ranks whose
names would be before that convention, and
that might well wait the result of the meet
ing at Cincinnati before proclaimed my own
choice. Suppose l shout for Bristow as the
only pure and upright man left, and sneer at
Conkling. abuse Morton an decry Blaine; and
then suppose that Bristow is not nominated;
what shall do? 1 can't retract, 1 can't repent
and to bolt am ashamed This, iudee d. gives
me pause.


But again, when the Bristow movement be-
gan, said to myself. "Morton / know. and
Blaine know but who is Brstow?' Not that
| knew nothing of him literally, for / presume
know as much as nine.teDths of the gentle
men composing the club; their meetings SEEM
ing to be held mainly to enable ope or two gen.
tlemen to explain that they personally know
the Secretary. But in the sense of knowing
how the man would act in Office. repeat /
know nothing, and 1 lack courage to take any
more Untried men. | remember Mr. Editor
the late lamented Andrew johnson. He also
was Sontherner, and Union man, and be-
lieve ne did good service in his sphere. But he
became President and then. To be impair
tial, recall that Grant was an able general,
but untried in high office; we made him Presi-
dent, and-we shall not renominate him.


Now, when any man has been in Congress
tnrr kaxx knE Eo1
on important public questions we all make up
our minds as to what he will do in future af-
fairs. / may not like Cox, or Randall, or
Banks or Morton. or Blaine, or Conkling, but
l think know what they will do in regard to
matters of finance, or tariffs, or education, or
State rights. But as to this estimable Bristow,
what do know? He is large, he is upright,
he is a fair lawyer, he cut off the gas and wa,
ter at the Boston Post Office, he does not seek
office, he has not made any mark as fnancier
he has prosecuted the whisky rings, he is taci-
turn. These are the very heterogeneous bricks
from which | am to erect platform, or rather
the only materials out of which l am to con-
struct the statesman of the future.


And again, Mr. Editor, should not feel at
home in Bristow club in Boston. was an
anti-slavery man in the old times, and be-
lleve that Republicanism means holding fast
to what we gained by the war But / recognize
amongl the movers very different element
I.see therein the men who opposed Governor





who would to-day say that they fought to up
hold the Constitution, but not to free the slave
Now they have right to their beliefs and
opinions. but. IT these are different from mine,
how can L join hands with them and oppose
the nomination of an old anti-savery man per-
haps?


Besides, feel hall. impression that gby try
ing to divide the preferences of New England
am contributing to deplorable result had
supposed that Blaine fairly represented New
EnUt9nh md nj int ho
was at least, like our friend Judge Russell, "a
very sweet sinner. United New England
may have great influence at Cincinnati, but
with divided delegation can she do much?


admire Reform. l like to spell it with a
large and resolve that it is essential and all
that But if the time be not ripe for it, and
instead of Reform L aid in fizzle with a very
small +, shall be able to look back to my
Bristow club-work with complaceucy? Can
or any two hundred gentlemen of leisure so in
simultaneously change the American voter
throught the land, as to make him forego his
desire to shout and vote for some man he has
heard of and to persuade him to take up nv
pet candidate whom l admire chiefly for being
cultured and quiet and gentlemanly? And il
l do not am not giving victory to some
fierce and terrible Democrat who won't be wise
and may be dishonest? Can L explain to my
self why pass over Charles Francis Adams
who has national reputation and is my high
est type of statesman, to take up Brlstow,
who may prove to be similar man after he has
had the twenty years public training which he
now lacks?


Really, Mr.. Editor, as you see, these ques-
tions are troublesome. want Reform, Iper-
haps wish to be a reformer. 1t would be
sweet thought after election that had ioined
the noble knot of humble citizens, unknown to
public fame, who had broken in pieces the cor
rupt ring of Office holders. How grand to be
the little David to slay this Goliab! But sup
posing that Golah not only kills David, but
does it without effort, will the immediate
friends Of the deceased be able to think of his
fate with complacencS? May they not instead
inscribe upon his tomb some such epitaph as
this:


ITO be noble OK he lusted-


But from excess of wind he busted"


believe the liberty party some elections ago,
were able to defeat the Wings, but thereby gave
the victory to the Democrats Is that good
example to follow? In short, Mr.. Editor. is
not this Brstow movement in Massachusetts
misuse of energy and ability at the present
time, and an exhibition of an almost femnire
impatience and inability to await events? If a
bad nomination be made at Cincinnati, there
will be enough ready ID bolt; but until that
convention is held why should any clique of
Bostonians be so anxious to settle the decisions
of the party, and if they aspire to do 50 will
they merit or receive any thanks?