The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-16
Greeley on Grant and Military Popipjay..

Greeley is In dreadful state, and is threat
ened with another terrible splitting fit. 1t will
be remembered with what emphatic froth be
expectorated his wrath on the platform Of his
party when it nominated General Scott, and he
now gives timely notice that he will "spit"
with more fury than ever upon the nomination
of Grant He perceives that the nomination
Of Grant is inevitable, and gives the case up
in advance. He feds and knows that the
popular movement for Grant is so strong, SO
full, so absolute with the national will, that no
party machinery can resist it, and that there
fore oil old political spectators and DULLES Of
his particular stripe must give place to practi-
cal men. He sees that the future is for the
men made by the war, not the men who made
it, and he declares his intention to give up the
struggle. Alas, poor Greeley! He was fell
low Of infinite vanity-a fine fancy for twist
ing things into false lights. Where be now all
his quips of Statistics and his gibes Of the bad
motives of others? 1t is amusing to note with
what characteristic display this great politician,
"like tom cat dies by inches" He goes
out with an indulgence of impotent insult and
vanity, empty philosophy and an almost tear
full declaration of his humanity. His insult is to
the whole American people. He declares that
the great soldier who saved the nation is a mere
military poplnjay. He drags an ancient poll
tician from the grave to throw this insult over
his shoulder. Greeley and Granger, 1t seems,
were wondering for what they had been toll
Ing just after Stewards election, Greeley being
then as uncertain Of his purposes as now.
Thus, as the wise men wondered. there came
in a popujay, Sin all the bravery Of brand
new uniform and epaulettes," who had just
been appointed on the Governors staff.
"There!" said Granger, 81 have wondered
for what have been toiling, sweating and
worrying in political strife these twenty years
but now see; it was to make that young man
feel as well as he does to-day" And Greeley
applies these words to his present situation.
Grant Is the popinjay and Greeley the great
man. Greeley modestly admits that he made
the war that he conducted It to successful
issue that he alone carried the country on his
shoulders, "toiling, sweating and worrying !"
and now, after oil this, he sees that popinjay
Grant, that mere vanity Of the popular will, ain
uniform and epaulettes," striding into the Exec
utive chair. What wonder that a great man,
taking this view Of life and history should fall to
cursing and express his readiness to die-some
death not very painful. Having reached this
heroic point in his resolution the poor old
fellow INDUCES the philosophy Of the
"outs," and lays down the heads OF a chap
ter on the advantages Of failure. He would
rather be beaten than not, which shows q
wonderful popularity Of disposition on his part
that be should toll, sweat and worry against
the result that would be most agreeable to
him. Personally" he says, ave have an
easier time, with far less anxiety and trouble,
when our party is out of power" Here he
goes into strange confession, telling the
world with bold impudence that when party
be opposes is In power, then, if "public money
is stolen Gas stolen it is and will beg, we can
pitch into the powers that be for putting
thieves into Office, or keeping them in-an
easier task than to defend them" Here is an
exact measure, on the best authority, ofGreeley's
honesty. Hero he confesses, lays his whole
soul bare and tells the people what his motives
are anu anyways n0Nc peca, anu "na' 10 hiS
standard of public virtue and the duty Of a
journalist 1t is party business entirely.
Thieves will rob the public treasury any how;
il the thieves are ours-if our party put them
in, says this pure sage, this lecturer Of public
morals, then 1t is our duty to defend them;" If
the thieves belong to any other party than
ours, we are at liberty to "ptch in" and
clamor with might and main against the rob-
berry. Here 10 the code Of political ethics by
which this sanity creature trims his course.
We doubt IL those who have thought the worst
OF Greeley ever thought anything 50 bad as
This.