The Hospitalities of Cincinnati

How fitting and beautiful it was that Cincinnati, the City of Pork, should offer a tribute of eggs to Wendell Phillips, the Advocate of Ham, or at [least, the descendants of Ham!]

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3.  Editors Note: the bracketed text was cut off when the newspaper was microfilmed.  The same article appeared in Vanity Fair, April 5, 1862 and I have used that article to reconstruct the missing text in this article.

The Ladies Of Cincinnati After The Mayor

Forty-six ladies of Cincinnati have petitioned the Legislature to impeach and remove from office Mayor Hatch, of that city.  This is doubtless on account of the Wendell Phillips mobbing affair which, it is charged, was winked at by the Mayor.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

The citizens of Cincinnati cannot . . .

. . . brook the outrage perpetrated upon the good name of their city by the recent mob at the Opera House on the occasion of the appearance of Wendell Phillips, and so have sent him an invitation to repeat his lecture in that city on his return east, when they pledge themselves to “see him through.”  Mr. Phillips will probably accept the invitation.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

Disgraceful Scene in Cincinnati --- Wendell Phillips Mobbed

CINCINNATI, March 24. – Wendell Phillips attempted to lecture at the Opera House to-night.  He commenced by avowing himself an Abolitionist and Disunionist.  Persons in the galleries then hissed, yelled, and threw eggs and stones, some of them hitting him.  The hissing was kept up for some time, when Phillips finally made himself heard, and proceeded until something again objectionable was said, and again eggs were thrown, hitting him  Phillips proceeded, and for some time was heard, and a third time eggs and stones were thrown, and the crowd moved down stairs, crying “put him out – tar and feather him,” giving groans for the “nigger Wendell Phillips,” and proceeding down the middle aisle toward the stage, were met by some of Phillips’ friends.  Here a fight ensued, amidst the greatest confusion – ladies screaming, crying, jumping over chairs, and falling in all directions.

                      

During the fight Phillips was taken off from the stage by his friends, and the audience moved out.  It is now ten o’clock, and the streets in the vicinity of the Opera House are crowded with excited people, unable to find Phillips.  No one seriously hurt, as far as we can learn.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

Adventures of a Contraband Scout at Aquia Creek

(Correspondence of the N. Y. Times)

I spent three weeks at Liverpool Point, the outpost of Hooker’s Division, almost directly opposite Aquia Creek, waiting patiently for the advance of our left wing to follow up the army, becoming, if not participator against the dying struggles of rebeldom, at least a chronicler of the triumphs in the march of the Union Army.  During this time I was the guest of Col. Graham, of Mathias Point memory, who had brought over from that place, (last November,) some thirty valuable chattels.  A part of the camp was assigned to them.  They built log huts, and obtained from the soldiers many comforts, making their quarters equal to any in the camp.  They had friends and relatives.  Negroes feel as much sympathy for their friends and kin as the whites, and from the present time, many a man in Virginia has lost a very likely nigger for the camp contains now upwards of a hundred fat and healthy darkies, in addition to its original number from Mathias Point.  One of the number deserves more honor than that accorded to Toussaint L’Overture, in the brilliant lecture delivered by Wendell Phillips.  He is unquestionably the hero of the Potomac, and deserves to be placed by the side of his most renowned black brethren.

The name of this negro is James Lawson, born near Hempstead, Va., and belonged to a Mr. Taylor.  He made his escape last December.  On hearing his praises spoken by the Captain of the gunboats on the Potomac, I was rather indisposed to admit the possession of all the qualities they give him credit for, and thought possibly his exploits had been exaggerated.  His heroic courage, truthfulness and exalted Christian character seemed too romantic for their realization; however, my doubts on that score were dispelled, and I am a witness to his last crowning act.  Jim, after making his escape from Virginia, shipped on board of the Freeborn, flag gunboat, Lieut. Saml. Magaw commanding.  He furnished Capt. Magaw much valuable intelligence concerning the rebel movements, and from his quiet, everyday behavior soon won the esteem of the commanding officer.

Capt. Magaw, shortly after Jim’s arrival on board the Freeborn, sent him upon a scouting tour through the rebel fortifications, more to test his reliability than anything else; and the mission, although fraught with great danger, was executed by Jim in the most faithful manner.  Again Jim was sent into Virginia, landing at the White House, below Mount Vernon, and going into the interior for several miles, encountering the fire of picket guards and posted sentries, returned in safety to the shore, and was brought off in the Captain’s gig, under the fire of the rebel musketry.

Jim had a wife and four children at that time still in Virginia.  They belonged to the same man as Jim did; he was anxious to get them, yet it seemed impossible.  One day in January, Jim came to the Captain’s room and asked for permission to be landed that evening on the Virginia side, as he wished to bring off his family.

“Why, Jim,” said Capt. Magaw, “how will you be able to pass the pickets?”

“I want to try, Captain, I think I can get ‘em over safely,” meekly replied Jim.

“Well, you have my permission,” and Capt. Magaw ordered one of the gunboats to land Jim that night on whatever part of the shore Jim designated, and return for him the following evening.

True to his appointment, Jim was at the spot with his family, and were taken on board the gunboat and brought over to Liverpool Point, where Col. Graham had given them a log house to live in, jus back of his own quarters.  Jim ran the gauntlet of the sentries unharmed, never taking the roads, but keeping in the woods – every foot-path of which, and almost every tree, he knew from his boyhood up.

Several weeks afterward another reconnoisance was planned, and Jim sent on it.  He returned in safety, and was highly complimented by Generals Hooker and Sickles, and the entire flotilla.

On Thursday, week ago, it became necessary to obtain correct information of the enemy’s movements.  Since then, batteries at Shipping and Cockpit Points have been evacuated, and their troops moved to Fredericksburg.  Jim was the man picked out for the occasion, by Sickles and Magaw. – The General came down to Col. Graham’s quarters about 9 in the evening, and sent for Jim.  There were present the General, Col. Graham and myself.  Jim came into the Colonel’s quarters.

“Jim,” said the General, “I want you to go over to Virginia to-night and find out what forces they have at Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg.  If you want any men to accompany you, pick them out.”

“I know two men that would like to go,” Jim answered.

“Well, get them, and be back as soon as possible.  Away went Jim over to the contraband camp, and returning almost immediately, brought into our presence two very intelligent looking darkeys.

“Are you already [sic],” inquired the Gen.

“All ready, Sir,” responded the trio.

“Well, here, Jim, you take my pistol,” said Gen. Sickles, unbuckling it from his belt, “and if you are successful, I will give you $100.”

Jim hoped he would be, and bidding us good bye, started off for the gunboat Satellite, Capt. Foster, who landed them a short distance below the Potomac Creek batteries.  They were to return early in the morning, but were unable from the great distance they went in the interior.  Long before daylight on Saturday morning, the gunboat was lying off the appointed place.  As the day dawned, Capt. Foster discovered a mounted picket guard near the beach, and almost at the same instant saw Jim to the left of them, in the woods, sighting his gun at the rebel cavalry.  He ordered the “gig” to be manned and rowed to the shore.  The rebels moved slowly, thinking to intercept the boat, when Foster gave them a shell, which scattered them.  Jim, with only one of his original companions and two fresh contrabands came on board.  Jim and lost the other.  He had been challenged by a picket when some distance in advance of Jim, and the negro, instead of answering the summons, fired the contents of Gen. Sickle’s revolver at the picket.  It was an unfortunate occurrence, for at that time the entire picket guard rushed out of a small house near the spot, and fired the contents of their muskets at Jim’s companion, killing him instantly. – Jim and the other three hid themselves in a hollow, near a fence, and after the pickets gave up pursuit, crept through the woods to the shore.  From the close proximity of the rebel pickets, Jim could not display a light, which was the signal for Foster to send a boat.  Capt. Foster, after hearing Jim’s story of the shooting of his companion, determined to avenge his death; so steaming his vessel close in to the shore, he sighted his guns for a barn, which the rebel cavalry were hiding behind.  He fired two shells – one went right through the barn, killing four of the rebels and seven of their horses.  Capt. Foster, seeing the effect of his shots, said to Jim, who stood by: “Well, Jim, I’ve avenged the death of poor Cornelius,” (the name of Jim’s lost companion.)

Gen. Hooker has transmitted to the war Department an account of Jim’s reconnoissance to Fredericksburg, and unites with the army and navy stationed on the left wing of the Potomac, in the hope that the Government will present Jim with a fitting recompense for his gallant services.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 9, 1862, p. 2

Wendell Phillips will . . .

. . . deliver his second lecture in Chicago on Monday evening next.  We understand an effort is on the tapis to get him to deliver a lecture in this city.  We truly hope this may be accomplished, as we should like to hear from his own lips the patriotic sentiments that have so recently been attributed to him.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 3, 1862, p. 1

Wendell Phillips

The speech of this intelligent gentleman at Chicago was a success.  A large and appreciative audience listened attentively to his sublime utterances without an attempt to disturb him.  The following brief extract from a synopsis contained in the Tribune, gives Mr. Phillip’s present policy:

Now, therefore, my policy is, that before Fremont of Sigel cross the Potomac, they write upon their banners “Emancipation” – [Great applause] and that the Government declare also that if there be found a loyal man in the South who has loved the Union, even in the secrecy of his own heart – and I would shut my eyes to any extreme scrutiny of his politics – as we have been partners in his guilt we will be partners in his loss.  We will save him as an abolitionist.  If I had gone to him asking him to give up his slaves, or if the Government frees his slaves, I would say that the individual should suffer no loss.  Now what would be the result of my policy?  It would be this: the slave would love me; I have given him his liberty.

Abraham Lincoln said in Washington, the other day, “the Negro who as once touched the hem of the Government’s garment shall never again be a slave.”  [long continued cheering]

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 2, 1862, p. 2

Reconstruction of the Democratic Party

On the 12^th of this month, one year ago, the “dogs of war” were unloosed, the cannon was unlimbered and belched forth the parricidal shot that proclaimed from the hot-bed of treason, that the civil war was fairly inaugurated; that peace which for nearly a half century had dwelt in our fair country, had blown, and the desolation of an internecine struggle had commenced.  Previous to that time the political principles of the nation had assumed a strange aspect. – All of the old questions that divided the people into parties had sunk away and been forgotten.  The national bank, sub-treasury system, tariff, internal improvements, all had been harmonized, and the country was at peace on these great political questions.  The Whig party, which had given life to these issues, and died, and with its dissolution, the Democratic party had almost sunk into desuetude.  A new political organization had been formed, growing out of the rapid strides that slavery had made.  It was started by no political demagogues with the expectation of rallying around them a powerful party and hoisting into power some political favorites.  But men of principle, who saw the rapid encroachments of a stupendous evil and the fearful result if it were permitted to overspread our country, determined to stay its progress, and for that purpose rallied around them some of the best talent of the country and laid down a platform of principles, as a basis for a new political organization, the chief plank of which was hostility to the advance of slavery.  They were not abolitionists, feebly fighting against the evil in its strongholds, but patriots, bent upon staying its progress.  By aiming at too much they might have lost all.  The public mind was ripe for confining slavery to the limits of the States in which it then existed, while it would have rebelled against any attempt to destroy it there.

The new platform of principles not only enlisted the best talent of the country, but it called for the co-operation of the moral men of the nation, until it soon became apparent that it embraced the great majority of the people of the North, and was making inroad among the better informed classes of those States where the chains of slavery pressed less gallingly. – Toward this new organization the old Democratic party, which in name still kept the field, although shorn of many of its best men and all of its old principles, showed a hostile front.  It had always been a negative organization, and it was strictly in accordance with its antecedents to oppose any measure assumed by any other party.  The first gun fired upon Fort Sumter destroyed all organized pro-slavery feeling at the North, it disrupted the Democratic party and scattered it like chaff before the wind.  As a political organization it was emphatically dead, as it could not  maintain its opposition to Republicanism and at the same time be loyal to the North.  That which destroyed the Democratic organization gave life and vigor to the Republican party, it intensified its principles; no longer seeking to stay slavery within its already overgrown limits, it sought to curtail its existing dimensions.  With the progress of the war, slavery fell so into disrepute that even its friends began to forsake it, justly regarding it as the cause of all our troubles.  Gathering boldness, Republicanism now sought to provide a way for its final extinction, and, in the language of Wendell Phillips, “for the first time in the history of the anti-slavery North, the Government has spoken; the President who first spoke an anti-slavery word after he got into the chair is our present one,” and to show the advance of anti-slavery principles, the press that had formerly represented the Democratic party, was the loudest in encoring the sentiments enunciated by the President.

In this condition of affairs, as we attempted to show in our Monday morning’s issue, a few of the old bell-weathers of the defunct democratic party, who still hankered after the loaves and fishes and whose sympathies were with the South, have attempted its re-construction on the basis of opposition to Republican principles as matured by the war; or in other words, an advocacy of the system of human chattelism, the maintenance of that institution which has been the cause of all the heart agonies, bloodshed and misery, that have overspread our once happy country during the last twelvemonth.  In its issue of Saturday the Democrat of this city handed in its allegiance to this faction, and taking heart from this demonstration of the debris of the old Democratic party to kick itself into existence, calls upon the “Democrats of the State, county, town and district to stand ready to fall into line.”  “Let there be no wavering in the ranks,” it says, “for the day of battle is dawning, and the enemy is already in sight.”  And who is that enemy?  The anti-slavery men of the North.  Unless we are grievously mistaken in the intelligence of our countrymen, both native and adopted, a party founded upon such basis can never possess vitality in the free States of the North.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 2, 1862, p. 2

Abolitionism

The Dubuque Herald asks if the Davenport GAZETTE has set its face against abolitionism?  Against such as Wendell Phillips formerly taught when he preached disunionism and the Dubuque Herald now proclaims, it is and always has been opposed.  To such “abolitionism” as Wendell Phillips now advocates, it gives a hearty assent.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 2, 1862, p. 1

Gen. Fremont

No man in the United States has so great a hold on the hearts of the masses as has Gen. Fremont at this time.  Whenever his name is mentioned in public assembly it is hailed with cheers.  It was so in this city at the lecture of Wendell Phillips, on Friday night.  The immense hall was densely packed by a highly intelligent audience, and when the speaker first mentioned the name of Fremont, the intense silence was suddenly broken with one united and prolonged cheer, coupled with the waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and other demonstrations of approbation; and even when the storm began to subside, and the speaker was about to resume his remarks, it suddenly broke out again with more violence than ever, as if the audience could not enough manifest their love for the man whose name was thus incidentally alluded to by the lecturer.  Sympathy for a General whom it is thought has been unfairly treated may have had something to do with it, but it mainly arose from the approbation felt for his immortal proclamation, which struck the key-note of emancipation, which will never cease to vibrate while there is a slave on the American soil. – Pittsburg Gazette.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 2

Wendell Phillips

From the Cincinnati Gazette, 26^th.

The character of Wendell Phillips is misunderstood, even by many of those who are willing to listen to reason.  The principle to which he has devoted his life and his brilliant talents, is the freedom of all men.  The sole means on which he relies are reason; addressed to white men.  He has not advocated interference with slavery in the States, but on the contrary, as believed in peaceable secession, in order to relieve the Free States of the responsibility of slavery, and of a Government which that interest has always controlled.  He is no adviser of insurrection or war to abolish slavery, but he now recognizes the issue which slavery has raised in this war.

But, as Mr. Phillips said to the audience at the Opera House, he does not desire to obtrude his opinions, and can employ his time better than to come a thousand miles to shock and prejudices of any.  He cannot even respond to all the requests of those who are anxious to hear him.  He came here on invitation of citizens of Cincinnati.  The large audience assembled, anxious to hear him, warranted the invitation.  But his friends have no desire to risk the life of a man of such intellect, against a grog shop rowdy who can be hired for three drinks of whisky to raise a riot, nor does he desire to enter into a contest of reason against  brute force; but it is probably that rational people will not look for permanent peace in this nation, until men whose way of progress is through the Constitution and law, and whose means are appeals to the reason of the governing class, can speak in safety anywhere from Maine to South Carolina.

The case of Mr. Phillips is the case of every man in Ohio, for so long as men are lynched for Northern sentiments, no Ohio man is safe in the South, without renouncing his manhood and groveling on his belly to slavery; for the process is simple and easy to first charge a Northern man with sentiments obnoxious in that locality, and then lynch him for the bad name.  Do the people of Ohio desire the war to close and restore the old status when to be an Ohio man in the south was prima facie cause for lynching?  Yet so long as men are lynched for Northern sentiments, every man is liable to it.  In this question of free opinions and free speech, we are all in the same boat, and it will not be till argument in favor of lawful progress is secure in every State in this Union, that it can properly be called peace.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 2

Local Matters

We call attention to the notices for Ward Meetings in the 4^th and 6^th Wards.

PLEASE REMEMBER Prof. Abbey’s ‘Sabbath School Children’s Musical Convention’ commences to-day at 3 p.m., at the Congregational Church.  Free to-day.

E. W. BAKER, for City Marshal, – subject to the Nomination Convention, to meet this afternoon, at 2 o’clock p.m., at the Court House.

R. KRAUSE, at No. 36 West Second street, is just opening his spring stock of hats and caps; also, cloths, cassimeres, trimmings and ready-made clothing.

REMEMBER the nominating convention this afternoon.  Candidates for important offices are to be balloted for, and every Republican who can spare the time should be at the Court House.

WARD NOMINATIONS. – We publish this morning calls for the 4^th and 6^th Ward nominating conventions to be held on Monday evening.  It is about time the other wards were moving.  Will their committees attend to this?

INDEPENDENT MEETING. – The German voters are called upon to meet this evening, independent of party, at Lahrman’s Hall, to take into consideration city politics and probably the nation generally.  We’ll keep an eye on it.

NATIONAL ARMORY. – We are indebted to Le Grand Byington, Esq., for a copy of the Report of the Special Committee appointed to inquire into and report upon the expedience of establishing a National Armory west of the Alleghany Mountains.

THE inquiring public are informed that we know Mr. Sanders wits neither drunk nor mad on Wednesday.  His recommendation to hang the traitor Phillips was written during his sober and rational moments. – Democrat.

Mr. Richardson was either mad or drunk when he wrote the above.

KEHOE & CARHART’S New York Store have now on hand a full stock of domestic goods; also linen and wool table covers, linen towelings, embroidered curtain muslins, Also a large stock of prints, dolaines, bleached and brown muslins, linen bosoms.  They have just opened a fresh lot of the ‘Imperial Clasped Hoop Skirts.’

SORGHUM REFINERY. M. D. L. Dutcher commenced yesterday hauling stone preparatory to erecting a building for the purpose of a refinery for sorghum syrup.  He has located it on the river some five or six miles below this city.  We understand that a party has it in contemplation to erect a similar establishment within our city limits.  It will require several small establishments to refine all the crude syrup that would seek this point, if it were known that the proper facilities were here offered for that purpose.

DOGS. – Owners of dogs will consult their own interest and benefit community generally by permitting the quadrupeds of the canine species to run at large without check or muzzle, on and after the first of April.  This is particularly desirable, as the laws forbid the shooting of game at this season of the year, and we have several marksmen who are anxious to try their skill, and the ordinance prohibiting shooting within the corporate limits is to be suspended as a speciality for the space of sixty days.  Read the Mayor’s proclamation to that effect.

THE RIVER is still filled with floating ice.  Thursday night the main body of the ice moved down and gorged at the point, leaving the middle of the river quite clear in front of town.  A large portion of the ice took the unusual route by the slough inside of Maple Island, crowding the [Ad] Hine out on the island.  Capt. Galt has been to great trouble cutting out his boat, so as to have her ready when the river should open.  This unfortunate occurrence will delay her departure, if she isn’t knocked to pieces by the accumulating ice.  The Wm. L. Ewing arrived at the Point early yesterday morning, but unable to get further, turned back down the river, - The Fred Lorenz arrived at Muscatine yesterday, and is expected to arrive here today.

ARCHITECTURAL. – We saw in Mr. W. T. Carroll’s office a day or two ago, the plan for an entire block of stores on the square opposite the post office.  The plan divides the front on Second street into twelve stores, and on Brady into nine.  Each of the former will be 25 by 90, and the later about 23 by 90. – The building will be three stories high, built of brick, with store fronts of iron and glass, and iron caps to the windows above.  The whole block is to be finished uniform.  In the center of each half block on Brady street will be a grand stair-case, leading to the upper floors, which may be used for offices.  In the rear of the stores, on Commercial street, it is proposed to erect shops 18 1-2 by 46 feet, and two stories high.  There are six of these on each half black.  If the building should be erected according to this plan, and it has been approved by Mr. G. L. Davenport, the block will add very much to the architectural beauty of our city.  We understand it is proposed to lease the ground to parties who will put up buildings in accordance with the plan, and some stand ready to do so as soon as the owner’s consent is obtained; and work may be commenced the coming season.

JEWISH SYNAGOGUE. – Rev. Dr. Loewenthal, late of Buffalo, N. Y., has arrived in this city, and is to take charge of the Jewish Congregation lately organized in this city.  The meetings are held every Saturday in the hall in Forrest’s block, corner of Third and Perry streets.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 29, 1862, p. 1

Wendell Phillips

One side of a story is always good, no matter how much untruth it may cover, until you hear the other.  The Cincinnati reporter for the associated press committed himself to a falsehood when he telegraphed that Wendell Phillips attempted to lecture in that city and was rotten-egged for avowing himself a disunionist.  We have the true statement now through the Cincinnati papers.  It seems that the sum of $125 was raised, with which five hundred tickets were purchased and distributed gratuitously among the shoulder-hitters and rowdies of that city, with the understanding that they would prevent Mr. Phillips speaking.  Mayor Hatch purposely kept the police away that no interference might be experienced.  We quote from the Commercial the Gazette authenticates the same, but as the former is not a Republican paper its evidence will be less prejudiced:

“Mr. Phillips said in so many words that he was an abolitionist, and that he had for fifteen years been a disunionist; but now he was satisfied that the Union meant justice to all men and races, and he was for it – for the measures that in his opinion were essential to its safety.  Any one of our citizens could have made the same remarks, to a mass meeting in the market place, without exciting a demonstrative antagonism.  But a mob had been organized, and was ravenous for mischief.”

With that remark came a shower of rotten eggs, one of which struck Mr. Phillips in the side and covered him with filth; a paving-stone struck the foot-light at his feet, yet the speaker undismayed proceeded, frequently interrupted, but nothing daunted by the missiles flying around him, until at length he remarked that having spoke for an hour and a half, and passed over the ground which he had intended to discuss, and as his voice was inadequate to further speaking, he would close.  This disgraceful scene will react upon the pro-slavery party of Cincinnati, and by no means strengthen the rebel sympathizers throughout the North.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 28, 1862, p. 2 

Wendell Phillips

That the scholarly attainments of this man should be deflected from the broad channel of usefulness into the narrow rivulet of bigotry, that he should abuse his rare intellectual qualifications by perverting them into media of evil, is to be deeply regretted.  If it be true that the mental hallucination has seized upon him to use the powers of his mind for the overthrow of the Government, as reported by the telegraph, he is at heart a traitor and should be so treated.  The surroundings of a man in the South are treasonable, the very atmosphere he inhales is defiled with treason, and if he be uneducated we can measurably overlook his course if he turn traitor.  But for a man breathing the pure air of the North, redolent with patriotism, gifted beyond his fellows with intelligence, to entertain treasonable ideas and publicly express them is an offense against community that would consign him at once to an innermost cell for Fort Lafayette.  Barring the overt act, it places him on a par with the leaders of the rebellion and he should no more be permitted to go at large than they go unpunished for the monstrous crime of which they have been guilty.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 27, 1862, p. 2

Wine More Deadly Than Cannon

Wendell Phillips, in his address at the Music Hall yesterday said; “I know a soldier in the army of the Potomac, who was picked up in the streets of Philadelphia one year ago a complete wreck, a confirmed inebriate, but who was, by the love of a sister and the charity of a Boston home, placed once more on his feet.  He was at Ball’s Bluff, and three times with unloaded musket charged upon the enemy.  He was one of six who heroically defended and brought away the body of the fallen leader of that bloody fight.  The captain of the company to which he belonged died in his arms; received the last words of consolation from his lips.  He was afterwards conspicuous in the conflict until the orders were given for each to seek his own safety, removing some of his apparel he plunged into the inhospitable river, and after great exertion landed on the opposite bank, seven miles below the encampment.  Nearly exhausted, chilled; half-clad, half-starved, he reached the camp.  The captain of the next company to which he belonged kindly said to him, pouring out a glass of wine: “Let me give you this; you will perish without it.”  “I thank you, sir,” said the soldier, “but I would sooner face all the cannon of the enemy than to taste that glass of wine.” – Boston Transcript.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 19, 1862, p. 2

There is no question but the country is . . .

. . . sick and tired of the agitation upon the Slavery question.  But the country, before it condemns, will do well to determine who are guilty.  There is one thing which is very apparent to us, viz. that the parties who have made the most noise, are those who have resisted moderate and Constitutional measures in Congress.  The majorities in both Houses, have introduced no revolutionary measures.  On the contrary, they have acted with great moderation and have done nothing that any loyal person has a right to complain of.  The malcontents are the politicians who feel that they must sink or swim with slavery.  They are the agitators.  They are the parties who are howling.  Even the Wendall [sic] Phillips’ Abolitionists are willing to leave Slavery to Providence and the War.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2

Wendell Phillips

Mr. Phillips has returned to Boston, and made a speech at Tremont Temple in that City. We quote a passage from the Boston Post’s report of his remarks:

Mr. Phillips said, the Democratic party rears its head. It gave me the benefit of an incessant advertisement. I owe audiences of thousands and ten of thousands to the fact that a fortnight before I approached a city, the Democratic press loaded its columns with advertisements for me. Cincinnati heralded me the most excellent advertisements, and sent me sealed as her apostle to the banks of the Mississippi. – {Laughter.} It was a Democratic endorsement that Cincinnati gave me. {Applause.} It opened my way to the hearts of the prairies so quickly that I was almost afraid men would suspect me of collusion.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2

The Mayor of Cincinnati . . .

. . . has sued the Commercial for damages estimated at $30,000, resulting from the comments of that paper of the Wendell Phillips riot.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862, also in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862 & The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 2 which added an addendum: "We think we see him getting them."

The Issue

{From the New York Tribune}

It is no disparagement to Gen. Fremont to say that the meeting of Monday eve in his behalf was the broadest burlesque of the season. It was large, spirited, enthusiastic; but it was not largely composed of Fremonters, nor specially enthusiastic for Fremont. It was honestly and truly an anti-Lincoln meeting, yet there were probably as many present who suport Lincoln for re-election as expect ever to vote for Fremont. The list of officers, the speakers, and nearly everything else, tend to show it is utter baselessness, regarded as a movement to make Gen. Fremont our next President on the Cleveland platform.

We repeat that this is no disparagement to Gen. Fremont, who has many and zealous friends here and a very considerable popularity throughout the country. But the simple over ruling truth is that, in presence of the stupendous events of our time, the momentous issues now impending, all personal considerations seem trivial and impertinent. As we give but a paragraph to a murder or railroad accident which in peaceful times would have absorbed many of our columns, so the elevation of Mr. this or General that excites no general interest in view of the gigantic, bloody, struggle, whereof our whole country is the arena. “Shall the Republic live or die?” is the question which engrosses all thoughts, rendering the aspirations and fortunes of Jones or Tompkins of no account.

Should Gen. Fremont be nominated at chicago – of which we see no chance – he will thereupon become a formidable candidate for President. If not nominated there, he will get no vote worth counting. Tens of thousands who would gladly support him if he had a chance will refuse to do so, seeing that they thereby connive at a Copperhead triumph. Third parties will be of smaller account this Fall than ever before. Hence we lay no stress on the feuds which now visibly distract the Opposition. Tens of thousands among them think they will support none other than a Union War candidate; as many, if not more, are equally strenuous in their resolution to support only a “Peace” ticket; but when the nomination shall have been made, nearly all these will support the nominee, whether the leading name be that of McClelan [sic], Fremont, Filmore, or any one else. And whosoever shall be the nominated there will have to be the Pro-Slavery candidate – in favor, of a “reconstruction” of our Nationality with Slavery left in and Impartial Freedom kicked out. Mr. Wendell Phillips or Dr. Brownson may struggle against this – may persuade himself, and perhaps a few others, that the fact is no fact – but all in c_in “Shall the Union be reconstructed with slavery or with out? Is the main Question to be decided at our next Presidential Election; and the voice of those who wish it reconstructed without will inevitable be concentrated on Lincoln and Johnson; while the other sort will be cast for whatever ticket shall be framed at chicago. And these two tickets will divide between them ninety-nine of every hundred votes cast throughout the country.

We say this, in no spirit of partisanship, but because it is the manifest truth. We are impelled to it by no trace of feeling, no shadow of prejudice; We should support Gen. Fremont quite as willingly as Mr. Lincoln if the former stood at the head of the Anti-slavery host; but he does not. Either Mr. Lincoln must be re-elected, or he must be superseded by the candidate of Vallandigham [sic] and the Seymours, of Garret Davis and Fernando Wood – Whatever any one may wish, this is the only practicable alternative. Gen. Fremont, in order to have a shadow of chance, must more and more command himself to the favor of the sham Democracy; and if he does so his Anti-slavery supports will necessarily fall away from him. Here is a sample:

To the Editor of the N Y Tribune.

Sir: I see my name in the list of Secretaries of the Fremont and Cochrane ratification meeting held at cooper Institute last evening.

So far as that meeting was in harmony with the grand platform of principle adopted at the cleveland convention, I am with it. So far as it sympathized with the principles and policy heretofore advocated by Gen. George B. McClellan and many of his friends, I must beg leave not to be counted in.

I am for justice and equal rights to every man, either black or white, on God’s footstool; for free speech, free press, and no compromise with traitors or with sympathizers with treason, and for the immediate overthrow of Slavery, as paramount to all other objects. I believe these to be the sentiments of the “Radical Democracy.”

Yours, &c.,
D. H. Plumb

New York, June 25, 1864

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 9, 1864

Wm. Lloyd Garrison’s Speech

We make the following extract from a speech by Wm. Lloyd Garrison, in answer to Wendell Phillips at Boston, on the anniversary of the American Anti-slavery Society, May 10, 1864:

Our friend Phillips has said, very truly, that the American people, have laid down the principle, that once in four years they mean to look their Administration in the face, and see if it is worth while to change it. But have not committed themselves to the one term principle – they have not been so foolish as that; they say that every four years they will look and see whether they will change their President or not; but they hold to the principle that they may keep him in office for eight, twenty or fifty years, if he and they live long enough, and they like each other well enough. {Applause.} So they are coming together this season to look at him and I can only express the conviction of my own mind, that when they shall come together, and shall look the fact in the face, that no man in this nation is now so hated and detested by the rebels of the South and all the north who sympathize with the rebels, as Abraham Lincoln, they will make up their minds that he will do to “run the machine” four years longer. {Enthusiastic applause.}

A voice – Butler is more hated.

The President continued – Grant there are many sad things to look in the face, grant that the whole of Justice has not been done to the negro; grant that here or there, there are things which are to be deplored and to be redressed; still, looking at the question broadly and comprehensively and philosophically, I think the people will ask another question – whether they themselves have been one hair’s breadth in advance of Abraham Lincoln? {Applause.} whether they are not conscious that he has not only been fully up with them, but on the whole a little beyond them? As the stream cannot rise higher than the fountain, so the President of the United States amenable to the public sentiment, could not, if he wished to do it, transcend public sentiment in any direction. {Applause.} For my own part, when I remember the trial through which he has passed, the perils which have surrounded him – perils and trials unknown to any man, in any age of the world, in official station – when I remember how fearfully corrupt was the public sentiment of the north, to say nothing of the south – when I remember how nearly a majority, even at this hour is the seditious element of the north – and then remember that Abraham Lincoln has struck the chains from the limbs of more than three millions of slaves; {applause} that he has expressed his earnest desire for the total abolition of slavery, that he has implored the Border States to get rid of it; that he has recognized the manhood and citizenship of the colored population of our country; that he has armed upwards of a hundred thousand of them, and recognized them as soldiers under the flag; when I remember that this Administration has recognized the independence of Liberia and Hayti [sic]; when I remember that it has struck the death blown at the foreign slave trade by granting the right of search; when I remember that we have now nearly reached the culmination of our great struggle for the suppression of the rebellion and its cause, I do not feel disposed, for one, to take this occasion, or any occasion to say anything very harshly against Abraham Lincoln. {Loud and prolonged applause.}

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, July 9, 1864

NOTE: The Date of Mr. Garrison’s Speech was printed in the paper as May 10, 1894, an obvious printer’s error. I have corrected the error here to avoid any confusion.