The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-29
APhlIanthroplst in Trouble.

From the World.
1t did not need the folly of the Loyal League
to show that Mr.. Horace Greeley has again
sorely tried the temper of his party friends.
He has done an act which, so far as it has any
significance, is of creditable character. Mr..
Jefferson Davis having been wantonly kept in
prison for more than two years, without any
intention of bringing him to trial, Mr.. Greeley
became one of his bondsmen, and possibly
contributed to his present release from con-
fnement In other words, he acted simply in
furtherance of public justice and in relieving
the whole nation from accumulating further
disgrace in the denial of the plainest rights of
the alleged offender. For this Mr.. Greeley is
so hotly assailed that he has found it neces-
sary to enter into a personal defense over his
own initials. He has offered a semi-apology,
by denying that he was purely a volunteer in
Offering himself as surety for Davis. He has
asserted that he did so at the request of the
leading counsel for the defense. So far, Mr..
Greeley has detracted from the merit of this
good deed, in order to appease, if possible the
radical resentment which howls on his track.
True, he has done so in style which plainly
shows his contempt for his grovelling and ma
hgnant pursuers-a contempt which was again
let loose in his letter to ''the narrow minded
blockheads'' of the League Club
But we wonder if it never occurs to Mr..
Greeley to inquire seriously into the real
cause of the vindictive spirit of his assail-
ants. Why is it that no man, whatever
his position and character, can do an act of
justice, or even benevolence, to an opponent
without encountering storm of abuse The
answer is short and obvious. 1t is to be
found in the prevailing and habitual animus
of the political party which Mr.. Greeley's
talents as journalist have so largely con-
trbuted to build up. Pretending to be the
party of freedom, it really is the most
despotic and intolerant political organization
of modern times. From the first day of
its existence it has been animated by the
determination to rule or ruin, and has con-
stantly labored to blast the character of
every citizen who dared to protest against
its lawlessness and violence. To initiate
however family, the spirit and example
OF Jesus Christ, eVokes the charge of
treason, and to utter a word in defense of
law and constitutional liberty is sufici-
ent to warrant the accusation of being
Rebel. To the prevalence and ferocity Of
this spirit the Tribune has immensely CON
tributed. Its daily habit has been. for years,
to stigmatze pure and patriotic men as traitors,
for no other offense than protesting against
the reckless and lawless acts of its party. 1t
is to-day the open and shameless advocate of
hlllibaly lulS ON0I p6dC6dDlS ana
takes no pains to conceal its exultation when
military commanders promulgate orders that
eminent citizens at the South shall not discuss
the policy of refusing to sanction at the polls
the new government which is being forced
upon them at the point of the bayonet. With
perhaps the single exception of the long inn
prisonment of Davis, and the military mas
sacre of the alleged assassins of Lincoln, it has
applauded or justified the worst misdeeds of
its party. II is no wonder, then, that its editor
in-chief is assailed in the fashionable super
loyal style which prevails among Republicans
whenever he dares to eVince his respect for
law, or justice or moderation. What right
has he to be tolerant, or just, or mercifulY
Who authorized him, great advocate of
kepublicanlsm, to assume an attitude of
decency and fair dealing towards an opponent,
much less towards "traitor f'
w Whlle we are ready to do ample Justice to
Mr. Greeley's humanity, and even policy, in
contributing to the release of Davis, and while
we commend his vigorous revolt against wear
ing the chains at whose forging for others he
has so often assisted, we at the same time
must acknowledge the consistency of his ae
cusers. 1t was an act hostile 10 the whole
policy and spirit Of the Republican party. To
nmprison without law aud exeoute without
trial, are dear privileges that the party ~ free
dom cannot afford to surrender without n
struggle. And certainly it could not narnoit
Mr.. dreeley TO do an act so oonsonant will
law and justice, as to assist in the baillino of
Davis, without expressing It's INDIGNATION and
asserting lis presorptiYe right 10 oharga tha
nm 20 II