Description:

HENRY WILSON
(1812 - 1875) Vice President under U.S. Grant and a founder of the Free Soil Party. Fine content L.S. on Senate letterhead, 3pp. 4to., Washington, Jan. 29, 1868, on his attempt to be elected to the Vice Presidency. In part: "...I can never forget the free-soil men of Massachusetts of 1848...the young men of that time are boys of mine. I have kept you in remembrance & rejoiced in your success...I have received letters from all sections of the country expressing the wish that I should receive the nomination for the Vice-Presidency on the ticket with General Grant...if that high place should be tendered to me...it could not but be an expression of kindness...[I] shall not labor for it...and should not be diosappointed if it does not come to me...If anything is done in regard to this matter, it must be by the free action of my personal and political friends and to them I leave the whole matter...Deemin gthe election of vital importance to the country, more vital even than the election of 1864...". Folds, some trivial spotting, else very good. During his speech-making tour of the South, Wilson moderated his tougher Reconstruction ideology, advocating a biracial society, while urging African Americans and their white supporters to take a conciliatory and peaceful approach with Southern whites who had favored the Confederacy. Radicals, including Benjamin Wade, were stunned by Wilson''s remarks, believing blacks should not be subject to their former white owners. After five ballots, Wilson dropped out and his votes went to Schuyler Colfax.

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April 18, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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