"My forecast of the situation is that 'the machine' will squelch the reformer (but of that we can judge better after the Republican _State_ nominations); that the financial issue will drop to the rear; and the Republican managers will endeavor to force on us the Southern question and obscure the reform issue. I hope our friends will not dally with the Southern question, but say (defiantly and offensively, if need be) that they will give no moral sympathy or support to those who seek to deprive the negroes of any of their political rights or embarrass the free exercise of them. Rightly or wrongly, they are citizens, and we at the North must look upon them as such. Under the recent decisions of the Supreme Court (which are correct) the Federal govt., certainly the President, can do little; but it does seem to me that your moral influence, if judicially manifested in a letter for publication (as it would be by you), would do good in every respect. "I have written, as you see--_currente calmo_--and at too great length, for all I wished to express was my appreciation of the wisdom of your acceptance-letter, and my belief in your triumphant victory. "Faithfully yours, "SIDNEY WEBSTER." PARKE GODWIN TO JOHN BIGELOW "CUMMINGTON, _Aug. 28th, '76_. "MY DEAR BIGELOW,--I don't know what Mr. Bryant has written, but I presume he has not consented. John and I have both tried to get him to pronounce himself publicly, but he will not, tho' saying that he means to vote for Tilden all the while. I presume he feels himself bound in some way to the E. P. I hope to be in Alb'y on Wednesday or Thursday with Minna! "Yours very truly, "PARKE GODWIN." F. O. PRINCE TO TILDEN "BOSTON, _Augt. 28, 1876_. "DEAR MR. TILDEN,--I am much concerned touching the matter about which Messrs. Avery and Collins and myself conferred with you a few days at Albany. "Although the Fenian sympathizers seem disposed to oppose the nomination of Mr. A.,[10] I think their opposition can be controlled; but a certain candidate, who has hitherto expressed himself willing to waive any claims he may have for the nomination in favor of our man, has now changed his mind and wants it. [10] Charles Francis Adams, our minister to England during the Civil War. "We fear he will cause such discord in the convention as to prevent our offering the nomination to Mr. A. upon the terms upon which he consents to accept it. These are, that it should be made with reasonable unanimity. "We can carry the convention for our candidate, but not, probably, with such general consent as would be required. "We have had several interviews with the party causing the trouble, and tried our best to impress upon him the importance of nominating Mr. A. for the sake of our cause _outside_ of Massachusetts, but to no effect. "If we fail in this matter I shall feel that we have lost some of our chances for success. "Congratulating you upon the auspicious outlook elsewhere,