The Anderson Intelligencer

Gen. Banks, of Massachusetts, Declares for Greeley.

The following concise and dispassionate letter from Gen. N. P. Banks will be perused with interest.

BOSTON, July 31, 1872.

MY DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge by this note, in addition to our conversation to-day, the receipt of your invitation to address the citizens of Lynn on Thursday evening in support of the re-election of Gen. Grant and the policy of his Administration.

No invitation could have had greater weight with me from any part of the country nor from any portion of my fellow-citizens, and it gives me great pleasure to assure you that nothing could be added to your suggestions as a representative of the citizens of Lynn to induce me to accede to the request. Their kindness to me many years since is a continuing life remembrance, and nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to renew my acquaintance with them. But I regret to say that I am not in accord with them in regard to the Presidential canvass. Against my wishes and my personal interests I am compelled to believe and to say that the perpetuation of the present policy of the Government is not for the advantage of the country, and that it will not tend to establish its former peace and prosperity, nor to promote the interests of any class of its citizens. No personal feeling of any character enters into this judgment; it is in view of general principles and public interests alone that I adopt this conclusion. The unity of the masses of the people of all parties, sections, and races in support of the grand results of the war is indispensable to the permanent establishment of the common recognition of those results. It can be secured by no other means; we shall all be forced to this conclusion sooner or later. This united action upon this basis has been the hope of my life. I fervently desired it during the war and in the reconstruction of the States subsequent to the war; I believe it is now tendered in good faith in the nomination of Mr. Greeley, and for one I cannot reject it. It was what I desired, and its consummation, although sudden and startling, does not alarm me. My duty to myself and my country requires me to give him my support. I cannot advocate before your friends a different course which neither my judgment nor my heart approves.

It grieves me most deeply to separate myself in thought or act from any one of those with whom I have been so long associated, and to whom I am so greatly indebted, but I believe the result will justify my action, give to the country that peace and prosperity which is the object of all our labors, and secure to every citizen the civil and political equality and freedom which was won by the sacrifice of so many valued lives.

Accept assurances of my lasting friendship and esteem, and believe me yours, &c.,

N. P. BANKS.

James S. Lewis, Chairman General Republican Committee, Lynn, Mass.