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                       Richmond Whig Office
                          Richmond Virginia
                              March 26th 1866

Messrs Glenn & Howard

     Baltimore Gazette

Gentlemen,

          In the line of all history associated with civil

convulsions a reactionary movement has commenced in this Country, how long to last, and to what extent to be successful in the restoration of Constitutional Principle and the resubstantiation of Civil Liberty, time alone can determine. But it may be safely predicted that it will continue to gather strength, more & more, until the present party in the ascendancy is overthrown. In view of this movement it has occurred to me that now is the time for a Newspaper in Baltimore to place itself in position as the leader of the Sentiment of the South. Baltimore is obliged to become the Metropolitan of the South. Richmond will soon have lost that character and sink into a manufacturing centre, and Norfolk will have much to do before she can compete with Baltimore. The Gazette of Baltimore can be made the basis of the arrangement, and by merging the Richmond Enquirer into it, thus securing the ancient prestige of that Journal, the new Paper will stand forth revealed. All that would be necessary in addition would be business force and editorial energy. I have conversed with Messrs Smith & Tyler in reference to the arrangement and they stand practicable to the idea. In the conduct of the new Journal, it seems to me that the wiser course would be to consider all ancient party lines as extinguished, as they really are, and to unite together on the same platform all Conservative elements belonging to former organizations in connection with those now associated with the policy of President Johnson. In this manner Johnson could be kept firm in his course, discovering clearly the {?] on which he could rest, the South would come to occupy a prominent position in the New Party as necessary to it's success, and with Johnson himself as it's candidate for the Presidency in 1868, Military precedent & Rule would be brought to a termination in the Country. The name & style of the new paper might be "The Inquirer & Gazette" and the name of the new party The "Constitutional Republican Party. By this party name the copperhead odium of the Democratic party would be got rid of in the North & North-West, as well as all those former prejudices entertained by thousands towards the term Democrat from among the old Whig ranks. This designation of Constitutional Republican would in itself indicate properly the principles of the Party, and would place it before the Country in contra distinction to the Ultra or "Radical Republican" Party. Just as, of old, "National Republican" stood distinguished from "State Rights Republican." The conjunction of the Inquirer and Gazette would be eminently fitting in view of the conjunction of the party elements entering into the new formation, and Baltimore is the right centre from which the movement should emanate considering the matter geographically as well as politically. There is besides living force in Baltimore and a large population, not only a living force, but a living Southern force and a living Southern Society, and a population fully one third that of New York; and yet you have but four daily papers, and these, for the most part, half conducted, to Sixteen in New York, half of them mammoth sheets & [seriously?] conducted. I doubt not that whatever additional capital might be wanting to the enterprise could be readily raised, but of this you are the better judge.

  I am writing to further the suggestion thrown out

to you to the extent of my ability, and to devote my pen to the movement. Mr Howard, I understand, is a practicing Lawyer. If so, it would be every way agreeable to me to return to my profession in Baltimore, which I am willing to do in his office, and we both give our pens to the causes & columns of the paper.

            I pray you let me hear from

you at your earliest convenience and believe me

           Very Respectfully yours
                   John Tyler, Jr

P.S. Address me to the Whig Office

[reverse side of last page?] John Tyler, Jr

  to

Glenn & Howard of the "Gazette" Baltimore March 26/66 Suggestion the Union of the Richmond Inquirer & Baltimore Gazette in the [?] of the reactionary party &c &c