Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-07-26
greeley on the Reyolution.

Mr.. Greeley steadily pursues his task Of pre-.
pairing the public mind OF the North for dissolu-
ton Of the Union. Nothing il too sacred for his
slanderous pen. The Union and the Republic
which our ancestors founded, and the glorious
Constitution which they framed, Greely and Gar
rison denounce. But not content with this, Mr..
Greeley new pronounces the war Of the Revolu-
ton "very commonplace mutter;" and Wash.
ington man "ofro genius" and "more eminent
in limiting the evils OF defeat than in achieving
trumphs" Here is what he says in the Tribune
lately:
"Our fathers ncbiy did their work; but they
won no great battles with signaly inferior forces,
as did the Greeks in their resistance to Xerxes;
and neither their achievements nor their sufferngs
can be compared with the Swiss in their struggle
for independence against the immensely superior
forces OF Austria, much less with the Netherland-
ers' protracted resistance to and final triumph
over naughty Spain at the height OF her power.
Take away from our Revolution 50 much as abb
stract and universsl-debase it to mere popu-
lar resistance to the payment Of odious and lille.
gally levied taxes-aDd it dwindles into very
common place matter. Our Washington was
noble leader, admirably adapted to the exgency;
but he was no genius; his campaigns added noth-
ing to what was previously known of Military
Art; and he was more eminent in limiting the
evils Of defeat than in achieving or emphasizing
triumphs. ...
Observe the caution with which the task Of
sandering the heroes of the revolution is COM
menced. The public mind would not endure
open and unqualified denunciation Of our reyolu-
tonary ancestors. So he nngles praise with
disparaging remarks; and eulogises while he stabs
| their fair fame
Thirteen colonies declared themselves inde-
pendent and wnged war for eight years against
| . kbo, al thn;r
independence was acknowledged; and then laid
the foundations of an empire, with such wisdom,
prudence ard foresight, that in three-fourlhs of a
century, it has become one of the greatest nations
Of the earth; distinguished for its wealth and
prosperity, and for the freedom and intelligence
of its people. Such was the work of our revolu-
tionary sires; and Horace Greeley pronounces it
ga very common place matter" The Greeks,
the Swiss, and the Netherlanders, he says, are
entitled to mach more credit than the Americans;
and displayed much more heroism. All honest
American readers of history will deny the truth
of Mr.. Creeey's assertion, and detest the motive.
The armies of Persia, with whom the Greeks con-
| tended, could bear no comparison with the valor
and discipline Of Britain in the days of the revo-
luton. Small numbers Of Swiss could defend
their mountain passes against the hosts Of Austria.
The Netherlarders encountered Spanish armies
sent from great distance, and who frequently re-
fused to follow up their victories till their wa
ges were paid; and were occasionally d sband-
ed because the treasury was exhausted. After
giving all duo credit to the Greeks, the Swiss
and the Dutch, we may safely contend that, dur
ing the war OF the revolution, the Americans dis
played degree of heroism, fortitude and patriot
ism unsurpassed in the history of the world.
What can be the motive of the editor OF the
Tribune in depreciatiBg the well-earned fame of
our ancestors! 1t may be safely attrbutedto the
same motive that induces him to teach the people
that the Union is of no value to the north. We
value the Union, and our free republican govern
ment, for their cost, as well as for the vast bene-
fits we derive from them. To show that they
cost but little treasure or blood, and were the re-
suit Of no patriotic and heroic achievements, is
one means OF weakening the attachment Of the
! people to the Union and the Constitution. To
show that the Union is of no value to the North,
is aDothef means adapted to the same end. And
both these means the editor of the Irttune en-
pioys with deliberate malignIty, and steady per-
severence, that all the yearnings of a frenzied
ambition can never excuse or mitigate.
| 10 induce the people Of the Northern States to
form great sectional party, hostile TO all the
interests of the south, and that must inevitably
! lead to dismemberment of the republic, it seems
TO be deemed necessary to destroy all sentiments
of patriotism in their breasts; to depreciate the
achievements of our ancestors; and to satisfy the
Nor,hern Wings and Abohtionsts that the Un-
ion cost nothing. and coniers no benefits.
| Such is the grave task that some of the ene-
mics of Democracy have undertaken to accom-
plish. With what success their l4bors will be
crowned, remains to be seem; but the indications
are strong already that public sentiments will
repudate the factonists, and crush the dangerous
scheme.-Pihs. Post.