The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-08
Horace Greeley.

Some Of the New York Republican papers
are engaged in very foolish quarrel among
themselves growing out Of Mr.. Greeley's con-
duct at Chicago in not favoring the nomination
Of Mr.. Seward. Mr.. Greeley, By the request Of
the Oregon Republicans. represented Oregon.in
part in the convention, and both as delegate
and private citizen exerted himself to the best
of his ability to secure the nomination of Mr..
Bates of Missouri We did not think much Of
his efforts in that direction, or that Mr.. Bates
nomination would have been one "ft to be
made" considering Mr.. Bates hostility to the
Republican party in 1885; but had no doubts
about the sincerity and patriotism of Mr.. Gree
ley, and do not believe that his efforts against
Mr.. Seward, so far as they went, were dictated
by personal spite or malice. The Seward men
who denounce Mr.. Greeley, and ascribe per-
sonal hostility to Mr.. Seward as his no.
tive, give him larger margin Of credit for
influence than he really possessed; and award
to him a success ghich he was only single in
strument with hundreds of others In achieving.
We saw Mr.. Greeley in Chicago, had some con-
yersaton with him, and not word escaped
from his lips that was not honorable to him as
a man, as patriot, and sincere Republican.
We did not believe he was on the right track in
supporting Bates, and did not think his argu-
ments were either sound or conclusive. All
that VIC heard him say in opposition to MIR.
Seward he might have readily said in the pres
ence of Mr.. s. or his warmest friends, and
neither he nor they would have had the slight
est reason to complain that he was not frank
and honorable in the presentation OF his views.
Since his return great many declarations have
been brought forward and laid to his charge,
which have been denied by him, and we are
confident have no real foundation in truth. In
many particulars we have, in common with
other Republicans, felt there was degree oil
uncertainty about Mr.. Greelcy's movements
which we're past comprehension, and which pro-
yoked belief that his sagacty was failing him
such for example his interference in the sena-
toral campaign in Illinois, q matter which he
should have left to the Republicans Of Illinois;
his letter Of advice to the Republicans OF Mas
sachu.etts relative to the restrictive laws which
bore harshly on the naturalired citizens; and
last and more than all his support and advoca-
cy Of Mr.. Bates as the Republican candidate
for the Presidency; but We have not doubted
his sincerity or his patriotism-and we think
tina, the great body Of the Republicans, though
differing from him as to party policy, have new
ertheless regarded him as honest
We believe the nomination Of Mr.. Lincoln to
have been brought about by the careful, con-
siderate interchange of opinion between the
delegates and others who, from their relation to
the Republican cause in the several States from
which they came, could properly interest them
selves in the nomination to be made. II was
not produced by any influence which an excited
or an enthusiastic crowd had over the delegates
by their popular manifestations in favor Of Mr..
Lincoln. Whether Mr. Greeley had been pres
ent or absent still the result would have been
the same. There was widespread apprchen-
sion felt even among the delegates from States
where the Republicans might reasonably have
been expected to have had predictions in favor
Of Mr.. Seward. that his nomination would not
be cxpedient. This apprehension, entertained by
many before they left for Chicago, Was strength
ened into conviction when they arrived there,
and had had consultation with the delegations
from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, and
Indiana; and II was these consultations, made
in the most friendly spirit, and not Mr.. Gree
ley's representations, that induced the conven-
ton TO present Mr. Lincoln's name. This they
had the right, and 1t was their duty to do so,
IL they thought success certain with Mr.. Lin
coin and only problematical with MIR. Seward.
The Seward men in New York do not or cannot
complain that the nomination was unfairly
made; they concede this, and their active sup
port Of the ticket, and their generous conduct
after their hvorite had been beaten, Is Credits
Die alike to their patriotism and their Republic
canism. We know not the real origin Of the
misunderstanding between Mr.. Greeley and Mr..
seward. From q foolish letter published in the
n. I. Times, written by Mr.. Raymond Of the
Times. 1t would seem that Mr.. Greeley did not
receive that consideration from Mr.. Seward
which he thought he was entitled to; and that
amer following Mr.. Stewards fortunes for many
years, and having had GOODNESS manifested tow.
ard him when he had right to expect some
thing different, he wrote Mr.. Seward q letter
in which he complained Of the treatment he had
received. Indiscretion, to use no harsher term,
In the use Of that letter has led TO this charge