Welles, Gideon (1802-1878) to James F. Babcock
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02128 Author/Creator: Welles, Gideon (1802-1878) Place Written: Hartford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 July 1856 Pagination: 8 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the upcoming 1856 election. Comments that the press should be taking a firmer stance on the issues. Expresses hope to find ways to increase the chances of the Republican candidate, John C. Fremont. "This state [Connecticut] can be made certain for Fremont, and placed in a condition to sustain the cause of freedom for years, unless prevented by the bad conduct of the few leaders of the American party, who in their selfish purposes, would sacrifice the great principles in issue. . . " Warns that the American (Know-Nothing) Party can dominate the press and damage Fremont's chances.
Gideon Welles helped organize the Republican party and established the Republican newspaper, the Hartford Evening Press. The candidates in the 1856 election were Democrat James Buchanan, Republican John C. Fremont, and Millard Fillmore, the Know-Nothing and Whig Party candidate. Buchanan was elected President.
…Whatever of good was to be accomplished by the American party has been effected, and it has ceased to be useful. I have no idea that it has ever been so formidable in numbers as has been generally supposed; but of those who have been connected with it, a very long proposition, in my opinion four-fifths, wish the whole thing abandoned.... It is mortifying and disgraceful to witness our state put in jeopardy by the offensive & narrow exclusiveness of these feeble, mischief makers--feeble in mind and feeble in numbers.
If our papers would take a firm and manly stand, the whole difficulty would be ended. It is not necessary to attack them, or have any controversy with them but to ignore them.
The truth is, most of the papers that have connected themselves with the American party have lost, in a degree, their independence, and are afraid to oppose even the abuses of the order. But the order is no longer formidable, and would pass into insignificance but for the press over which they exercise this arbitrary control. The few leaders humbug the editors, and through them, humbug the public, making the editors the servile tools for their mischievous purposes....
…This state can be made certain for Fremont, and placed in a condition to sustain the cause of freedom for years, unless prevented by the bad conduct of the few leaders of the American party, who in their selfish purposes, would sacrifice the great principles in issue.... The time is short--the season busy--no efficient organization can be perfected, and the cause is embarrassed & put in jeopardy to gratify Americans, at the expense and on the popularity of this rising feeling for Fremont & the cause. The people are not with them--public sentiment is disregarded--and they could do nothing, if the public press was faithful to public opinion, instead of being subservient to the little intriguers who are trifling with great questions and grave subjects....
My impression is, that a general convention of all "the friends of Fremont and Freedom" should be called....
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