Anna Dickinson General Correspondence Wilson, Henry [Sept. 8, 1866- July 10, 1874]Natick, Sept. 8th, 1866 My Dear Miss Dickinson, I wrote you a hasty note yesterday from New York, and I write now to say that I beg your pardon if I wrote anything offensive or unkind. I had just read your speech and felt wronged, cruelly wronged by your reference to me as a person that buttoned-holed members. I knew, God knew that I had never visited, spoke to or in any degree attempted to influence the action of the members of the Convention against declaring for suffrage. Every member of the Convention knew I had never hinted to him a wish or an opinion that such a declaration should not be made or that it would harm us. To all who spoke to me I said just what I said in public that I came to hear what the Southern men had to say, that I wanted to hear their real opinions of the condition of theirsection, who was responsible and the remedies. In several speeches I said this, I said it in our delegation, I felt it, and could have said nothing else without stating what I did not think. I did not think then that a declaration of the men of the convention in favor of impartial would injure us and to men north & South I so said. I knew that distinguished men, Governors Senators, Representatives and others thought it would and said so. I thought they were mistaken and I said so to many of them. That convention was called to state to the nation the condition of the South and the wishes of Southern men who were Loyal to country and to Liberty. I held that it was not my business nor the business of the northern delegates to attempt to influence their action. I opposed the organization of the northern delegations because I did not wish to influence their action and I knew that an attempt would be made to do so, and I knew too that this influence would be fire to one against going further the this constitutional amendment. Judge Relley know the same and he will tell you that I acted with him, took him to our Room where he addressed our delegation against organization and that we agreed with him in action. I hope you will speak to judge Relley sometime about the matter. I was of opinion that no harm would come to us at the coming elections by any declarations the convention could make if we did not interfere. It was their Convention -- not ours -- they were responsible -- not us. In our delegation I stated in a speech that I thought it would strengthen usthat I could use it in the canvas to our advantage if these Loyal men should say that Suffrage was the only means of protection & we were all of that opinion. Whoever states that I said that the declaration of Southern men in favor of impartial suffrage would harm the election, or whoever says that I advised against such declaration states what has not the shaddow of truth in it. To have said so would have been to have said what I could not think and to have contradicted my public speeches and printed words. Will you return to me the letter I sent to you from New York? I regret that you should have censure me without cause, but I will bear it the best I can. It will not lessen my admiration for your wonderful gifts, nor my deep regard for one so devoted to the holy cause of equal rights. Yours truly, Henry WilsonOffice of HALL, SOUTHWICK & CO. Boots and Shoes No. 279 & 281 Broadway, Opposite A. T. Stewart & Co. II (copy) NEW YORK, 186 "Phila. 10. Sep. 1866 Hon. H Wilson, I am most heartily sorry to have been compelled to speak of you as the Senator that belied New England, - doubly sorry that there should have been such truth in the assertion as to make it sting. Pardon the severity of the declaration, when I tell you that I was but the mouthpiece of every Radical in that convention, - that at least , fifty of the Non-Reconstructed men said to me - that Henry Wilson was the greatest stumbling block in their way, - that I was informed by a score of the most prominent, that the two doubtful Georgia votes that were cast for the Border State Report were cast through your influence, & that you are wholly responsible for Mr. Ashburn's unhappy decision. I would rather speak pleasant things than unpleasant, - especially of such a man as Henry Wilson, but I am bound to speak truth. - What I said I said because proof and truth compelled me. Truly yours Anna E. Dickinson"Office of Hall, Southwick & Co. Boots and Shoes, Nos. 279 &281 Broadway Opposite A.T. Stewart & Co. New York, Sept. 7th, 1866 Miss Dickinson, I have just read with supprise and pain your very unjust and cruel allusion to me in your beautiful speech to the Southern Convention. After the great meeting on Wednesday night I had to leave for Washington and in doing so I felt that among the losses would be your speech for I saw you were deeply moved by the utterances of the men of the South, and I knew you would make a glorious speech. On arrising here onlythis morning I eagerly opened the Tribune and read your speech and I need not tell you how pained I was to read uncalled for attack on me. Pray tell me why you did so? What had I done? I had made four speeches in all of them I had taken ground in favor of hearing the Southern men say just what they wanted. The Massachusetts Delegation had taken that position. We declared so to all who consulted us from the South and North. I told all who consulted me that I wanted the men of the South to tell us what they thought - that doing so would not hurt us. I united with Mr Kelley in preventing our Northern Delegations from acting in Convention because we knew that it would be a check upon the men of the South. Kelley knew and I knew that four fifth of the Northern Delegates would be a check rather than a[n] spur upon the Southern Delegates. We were right. The influences from Penn NJ. the West were against a Declaration for Impartial Suffrage. Not a man from my state councelled against it as believed it would do harm. We all said, "Let the Southern men speak what they think." I have spoken for impartial Suffrage - for equal, just and humane Laws, to more men than any public man Delegated to that Convention from the North or South. Pray tell me why you selected me out for censure? Was it for my Colorado vote? As a friend of freedom I was right in that and our friends will yet think so. Yours truly H. WilsonSenate Chamber March 25 /71 Dear Miss Dickinson, Your note is recd today and I had to reply to it - and as you suggest, in strict confidence. Independent of the St. Domingo question, and the issues which have grown out of it, the Prest. has done little that Radical Republicans can, or should sharply criticise. I believe him to be, on the anti slavery issues, in advance of the majority of his party, & that he will go as far in protecting the loyal people of the South, as the most advanced members of Congress. The antislavery men have little cause to find fault with Gen Grant. If this St. Domingo question had never arisen, I think the Republican Party generally would have been satisfied with Grant's administration. He has appointed too many of his kindred tooffice, and has paid too little attention to the conflicting claims and quarrels of rival political factions in several of the States. I think a President should appoint but few relatives or personal friends to office, and that he should prevent factions in his own party, by carefully & justly considering the merit of all classes of men. A President should be a prudent sagacious, & far seeing politician, as well as a statesman. Grant is no politician as was Mr. Lincoln. He (Mr. Lincoln) was in my opinion the wisest politician of the Republican party. I think the Pres has been very considerate towards Congress and very liberal in every thing except in this St. Domingo matter. He has pressed that matter against the will of Congress, and against the will of the people in the great pertinacity. He believes it a question of transcendent importance to the country - really thinks so, and cannot understand why others do not think so. He thinks its ac- quisition of great commercial impor- tance - that it will give us a com- manding influence in the west Indies and that it will indirectly bring about emancipation in Cuba and Porto Rico within the next four of five years. It has been a costly affair to us, and may be to him. It may cost him his [?renomination] or [?if renominated] - his election. It has been, and is, a troublesome question, and I fear it will be disastrous to us. The chances are rather in favor of Grant's renomination, butthere is a powerful portion of the party opposed to him and they may be able to show when the time comes that success requires a new candidate. In that event a candidate must be taken who is not mixed up in the quarrel with Grant, and who will not incur his hostility. If this quarrel is fatal to Grant, it is equally fatal to Mr [?], or to any other man mixed up with it. I deem it of vital importance that the Republican party shall be united, and carry the next Presidential election, & it is very doubtful if it can be united on Gen Grant. It is important to strengthen the Republican party in every way and go into the next National Convention withthe determination to subordinate the wishes of any man, or of any set of men to the good of the cause. We have several men of capacity & character, and it seems to me that when the time comes we can nominate a strong ticket, that will unite our friends, and that we can go with the canvass with the hope of success. The Democratic Party will have nothing to do with any Republican faction, or republican man, but will fight in 1872, the greatest battle it ever fought for power. The abandonment of the St Domingo question, good conduct on our part, and unity of purpose are absolutely essential to our success I have not great faith in the wisdom and goodness of the Republican Party, but I have a sublime faith in the continued folly and wickednep of the Democratic Party. So I hope for the triumph of our ideas, principles and policies in spite of the incapacity or misconduct of many & our public men. Thanks for your kind inquiries for my health. I have suffered considerably, and have to slack off a little, but I hope I will come out all right Please accept my kindest regards and best wishes for your continued success and wellness very truly yours Henry WilsonSenate Chamber Mar 14 / 72 Dear Miss Dickinson It gives me very great pleasure to send you some letters of introduction to friends in London, and I trust that you may find them as I found them - well worth knowing. If you are going on that continent and desire it. - I shall be very happy to give you letters to some of our ministers there. Please write me when you are going to start, and if you wish any more letters, I will send some. Wishing you bon voyage I am Yours very truly [W?]. WilsonHW.Washington, June 11, 1872. My Dear Miss Dickinson, Your very kind note is read with deep interest. Thanks for your words. They will be highly valued, for they come from one I esteem and admire. I only regret that you can not give the grand party that saved the country and made it per that persuasive and eloquent voice to which I have so often Listened.But you act I know from a sense of duty. God bless and prosper you ever is the wish of your friend H. WilsonNatick, Mass July 7th, 1872 Dear Miss Dickinson, I can not find the papers desired, but I will do what I can to obtain them for you. I hope to be in your city soon and to see you. Yours Truly H. WilsonVice-President's Chamber, Washington, June 25th, 1874 To American American Ministers, and Consuls in Europe. Gentlemen, I take the Liberty to commend to your kind notice our countrywoman, Miss Anna E. Dickinson of Philadelphia. Her name is known throughout our Land as the advocate of good causes. She goes to see the old World after having seenmore of our country and its people than any other woman, and I beg you to do what you can to make her visit a joyous one. Yours ever Henry Wilson Vice President of the U.S.AVice President's Chamber Washington, June 25th, 1874 Hon. E.B. Washburne, This will introduce to you Anna E. Dickinson of Philadelphia whose career in the advocacy of good causes is known to you as to our countrymen. I commend her to you and beg you to give her such aid as you can. She is very independent in her opinions and actions, but she hasa heart. You are my candidate for next president and I want all the women to advocate your cause. Yours Truly H.WilsonVice-President's Chamber, Washington June 26th, 1874. My Dear Miss Dickinson, Your two notes are received to-day at my home. Gladly do I comply with your request. I sent notes to several of our men abroad. I called at your house two weeks ago to see you, but was told you had left for Europe. It would have gratifiedme much to have seen you. No one can say who will be next president. Old inspirations are gone. The love of Liberty and the country, now that one is now [the?] thus other safe are not so potent as they were. The rising issues are not yet so distinct as to rally the parties or to divide them. It looks to me that the fight will be between the two parties on past recollections and modes of administration. Much will depend upon the candidates. I think Washburne our Minister at Paris has a fair chance. Blaine hopes for it. Gen. Sherman may be a candidate under the influence of the soldier element. Some talk of a third term I believe it will fail. I would be hung like a Dog before I wouldvote for any man for a third term. I should think it a crime against my country. I hope you will have a glorious good time, and return home wiser for what you will see abroad, and a [lover?] of our dear country with its many faults and great possibility. Yours truly H. WilsonNatick, July 3rd, 1874 My Dear Miss Dickinson, Your note is received. When do you go to Europe? I may be in your city soon and will call if you have not left. Can I send you my 2nd volume just out? Yours Truly H. WilsonNo. 124 Tremont Street, Boston JAMES B. OSGOOD & CO. PUBLISHERS BOSTON. New York Office, 713, Broadway. LATE TICKNOR & FIELDS, AND FIELDS, OSGOOD & CO. Boston, July 10, 1874. I have received note now sent 2 vol - will call soon and give name if wanted. In haste H. Wilson