Columbus, Dec 18, [1859.]
Dear Spooner: From
what you say in yours of the 14th, I infer you had not received mine previously
written to you. It was directed to Cincinnati, and perhaps it has since reached
you.
I do not desire to be quoted as expressing any opinions as
to time or place of holding the Convention, or as to the mode of its
organization either in respect to membership or number of delegates — or mode
of electing them. The reasons for my not desiring even to seem to
influence members of the Convention are obvious.
You, as our Ohio member, have a right to my views, and I
will give them to you briefly:
1st. The Convention should be held between the Alleghenys
and the Mississippi. It would be best, I think, to hold it at Pittsburg,
Wheeling, Cincinnati or Covington, but next best, to hold it at
Columbus, Indianapolis, Springfield or St Louis. Among these next best places,
my judgment would incline to Indianapolis.
2d. The Convention should be held soon after the
Democratic. This, I think, would be best. No considerable harm would probably
result, however, if not held till the 17th June, as in 1856.
3. The Convention should be composed of all who are opposed
to the extention of Slavery beyond the limits of Slave States, and in favor of
reform in National Administration. The call should be addressed to Republicans
and all others, without distinction of party, willing to unite for these
objects. A resolution should be adopted expressing the opinion of the Committee
that the members of the People's party of New Jersey and Penn'a, and all
citizens of other States holding similar political principles, are regarded as
described in the call and invited to participate in the Convention, but the
Call should not be addressed to those parties as such.
4. The Committees should apportion the delegates among the
States by recommending the election of, say, four Senatorial delegates from
each State, and one Representative from each Congressional District, and
additional representatives from each Congressional District for each six or
seven thousand votes cast for Republican candidates, and another for a majority
fraction of that number. Votes for opposition or people's Candidates in New
Jersey or Pennsylvania, and for Anti-Lecompton Democrats supported by the
Republicans, should be counted the same as Republican votes.
5. The Committee should recommend, and strongly recommend,
the election of Senatorial delegates by State Conventions, and of
Representative Delegates by District Conventions.
I have no time to argue these views. I am, however, strong
in the faith that their adoption would secure fairness and equal representation
in the nomination — harmony and vigor in the support of the nominees — In what
is now a duty — success not merely for our organization but for our principles —
success, therefore, lasting and honorable.
Ashley, I understand, will represent Kentucky under Clay's
proxy. You can show this letter to him and if you think proper to Mr. Willey or
Mr. Howard of Connecticut. Let me hope that you and Ashley will act together.
It is desirable, many ways.
_______________
* From letter book 7, pp. 61-62
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 283-4
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