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Editorial
August 16, 1856
Washington Sentinel
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
An editorial from the Pennsylvanian critiques a letter in the New York Tribune by 'W. H. F.', highlighting Republican neglect of Pennsylvania in the 1856 election campaign despite focus on Bleeding Kansas and anti-slavery causes. It praises the truth in the letter while defending Union interests against fanaticism.
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Pennsylvanian.
Precious Confession from one of the Friends of Bleeding Kansas!-Where the Money goes!
In Saturday's New York Tribune, the veracious and virtuous "W. H. F." who is no doubt, from his initials, the same worthy who assailed Mr. Buchanan in such terms of gross and indecent falsehood, some two weeks ago at a mixed assembly of ladies and gentlemen, in Camden City, New Jersey, and who then and there indulged himself in repeating the treason of Garrison, the insanities of Webb, and the free-love follies of Greeley, again appears in the following letter, dated July 25th from which we take the following extract:
"PHILADELPHIA, July. 25, 1856.
The Republican activity and intensity in New York--what a contrast to the dullness of the cause here! To begin with the newspapers; you have one hundred thousand daily cheap newspapers devoted to the Republican cause, where you have one thousand here. Nay, more, your newspapers are almost surrendered to the work of the Republican cause-editorially-nearly every other topic being lost sight of, while whole pages of reading columns are filled with documentary matter and political news of an electioneering character. Here. however, the few papers that speak of Republicanism do it incidentally. Are the leading editorials here necessarily on the great topic? Not at all. If I take up one of the journals ten to one the leading article is anything else than Republicanism. And, mark, moreover, the two cent New York papers occupy precisely the same popular rank in New York that the one cent do here; or, in other words, the people as a mass are ready to pay two cents for a paper there as they are one cent here. The field, therefore, seems won in New York, while in Philadelphia, and Eastern Pennsylvania the field is to be won. Now, it seems to me, considering that the success of the Republican cause depends on carrying Pennsylvania, and the chances are not brightening in any wonderful degree in that quarter, owing to the manner in which Pennsylvania is neglected. It does seem that the Republicans with you are taking matters very easily. A great deal of work is to be done here, or the cause is lost; and the workmen are waiting. I exposed this matter some weeks since, and matters remain about the same as before. To put Philadelphia on the same plan with New York there should be many thousand cheap daily papers issued up to the day of election, devoted to Republicanism in spirit and detail; and how many are there? Hardly enough to begin to make an impression! What good are Harrisburg Conventions, with delegates coming from other States thereto, if the political soil here is not properly worked in the meantime? What is the use of a Kansas Fund in Pennsylvania if her 27 electoral votes are lost!"
There is in this extract one element which W. H. F. has not heretofore displayed--we mean a good deal of truth. The fear which falls upon him the moment he gets into Pennsylvania that the cause of the Union is not deserted here for the purpose of gratifying a set of fanatical scoundrels, who are fitter for bedlam or the penitentiary than to be the leaders of an upright and honest party--this fear compels him to astonish the Tribune by speaking the truth.
Precious Confession from one of the Friends of Bleeding Kansas!-Where the Money goes!
In Saturday's New York Tribune, the veracious and virtuous "W. H. F." who is no doubt, from his initials, the same worthy who assailed Mr. Buchanan in such terms of gross and indecent falsehood, some two weeks ago at a mixed assembly of ladies and gentlemen, in Camden City, New Jersey, and who then and there indulged himself in repeating the treason of Garrison, the insanities of Webb, and the free-love follies of Greeley, again appears in the following letter, dated July 25th from which we take the following extract:
"PHILADELPHIA, July. 25, 1856.
The Republican activity and intensity in New York--what a contrast to the dullness of the cause here! To begin with the newspapers; you have one hundred thousand daily cheap newspapers devoted to the Republican cause, where you have one thousand here. Nay, more, your newspapers are almost surrendered to the work of the Republican cause-editorially-nearly every other topic being lost sight of, while whole pages of reading columns are filled with documentary matter and political news of an electioneering character. Here. however, the few papers that speak of Republicanism do it incidentally. Are the leading editorials here necessarily on the great topic? Not at all. If I take up one of the journals ten to one the leading article is anything else than Republicanism. And, mark, moreover, the two cent New York papers occupy precisely the same popular rank in New York that the one cent do here; or, in other words, the people as a mass are ready to pay two cents for a paper there as they are one cent here. The field, therefore, seems won in New York, while in Philadelphia, and Eastern Pennsylvania the field is to be won. Now, it seems to me, considering that the success of the Republican cause depends on carrying Pennsylvania, and the chances are not brightening in any wonderful degree in that quarter, owing to the manner in which Pennsylvania is neglected. It does seem that the Republicans with you are taking matters very easily. A great deal of work is to be done here, or the cause is lost; and the workmen are waiting. I exposed this matter some weeks since, and matters remain about the same as before. To put Philadelphia on the same plan with New York there should be many thousand cheap daily papers issued up to the day of election, devoted to Republicanism in spirit and detail; and how many are there? Hardly enough to begin to make an impression! What good are Harrisburg Conventions, with delegates coming from other States thereto, if the political soil here is not properly worked in the meantime? What is the use of a Kansas Fund in Pennsylvania if her 27 electoral votes are lost!"
There is in this extract one element which W. H. F. has not heretofore displayed--we mean a good deal of truth. The fear which falls upon him the moment he gets into Pennsylvania that the cause of the Union is not deserted here for the purpose of gratifying a set of fanatical scoundrels, who are fitter for bedlam or the penitentiary than to be the leaders of an upright and honest party--this fear compels him to astonish the Tribune by speaking the truth.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Slavery Abolition
What keywords are associated?
Republican Party
Pennsylvania Election
Bleeding Kansas
Political Neglect
Union Cause
Electioneering
What entities or persons were involved?
W. H. F.
New York Tribune
Mr. Buchanan
Garrison
Webb
Greeley
Republicans
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Republican Neglect Of Pennsylvania In 1856 Election
Stance / Tone
Anti Republican, Pro Union
Key Figures
W. H. F.
New York Tribune
Mr. Buchanan
Garrison
Webb
Greeley
Republicans
Key Arguments
Republican Press Activity Intense In New York But Neglected In Pennsylvania
Success In Pennsylvania Crucial For Republican Victory
Funds Diverted To Kansas Issues Over Electoral Votes
Criticism Of Fanaticism In Republican Leadership
Defense Of Union Cause Against Sectionalism