New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-16
alel,, Orleans Republican.
OFFICIAL JOURNAL or THE UNITED STATES
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS
HORACE GREELEY.
His Reception at HOme-His speech-Re-
view of His Trip TO Texas and of the


NEW YORK, June l2-The public recep
tian to Horace Greeley by the Union Re
publican General Committee, of this city
of which he is the chairman, on the occa
sion of his return from Texas, occurred Thu
evening in Union Square, in front of tn,
rooms of the Lincoln Club house. TIA
Having been formally welcomed and in
PRODUCED to large audience by Enoch L
Fancher, Mr.. Greeley proceeded at once t.
compare the existing state of affairs witt
that of ten years ago, before the war, de
elaring the rebellion and its sacrifice O
half million of the best and bravest livei
of the country, might all have been spared
had the North and South only understood
each other, and free speech and fair inter
change of opinion prevailed throughout the
entire country.
Two months ago he was invited to e
to Texas to deliver an agricultural address
and though at first determined to decline
BE yielded to the advice of his friends, who
told him they thought that he would dc
the whole country good by going down te
Texas. a...a..
Now, said Mr.. Greeley, hear it said
that went to Texas with too much parade
and circumstance; that there was too much
making of speeches from the platforms OF
cars and from balconies of hotels. / fully
concur in the criticism, but invitations came
from all quarters, and | felt it duty to
speak words of Cancellation. l responded
when l could, and for the rest / kept ST.
lence. -., "a
MIR. Greeley said also that it was urged in
several journals that his name was too
often mentioned as a candidate for office,
and he fully concurred in that suggestion;
but he was, in a certain sense, public man,
identified with party contests and party
principles. He had often been reproved
and reproached by better men than himself
because they would not accept offices, and
left second rate men to fill them.
During the last twenty-five years, Mr..
Greeley said, have been four times can
didate for Office, twice for Congress, once
for constitutional convention, and once
on the State ticket; but never had he
sought nomination, and rarely was he
consulted in regard to it. / am not at all
grateful, he said, to the Republican party
for these nominations. | accept them as
would any other duty; but for its support
/ am grateful. 10 ~ .a. .s.-r.......-.-. .-.
But the past is past, and let the dead
bury their dead. / am perfectly willing to
pass receipts with the Republican party. l
could not help being Republican. For the
future / need no office. L desire no Office,
and though shall not decline nomination
which would be given me, shall seek no
10 Il
duty. / have worked enough for which /
am reasonably and well paid by too much
notoriety, and the more quiet and peaceful
my remaining days shall be, the better |
shall be satisfied.
With these remarks. Mr.. Greeley left the
subject of his own political future and re-
viewed at length the principal incidents in
his journey South, his impression of South
ern politics and society, and urging earnest
ly his familiar views of the liberal and gen.
erous treatment of the conquered States.
He spoke in severe terms of the Ku-Klux,
which he said the government, ought to ex-
tirpate at once and forever, and in equally
severe and more sarcastic condemnation of
the thieving carpet baggers, whom he said
were curse to the South and disgrace to
the North, whence they came.
Carpet7baggers, who plumber and prey
upon the negroes and poor whites while pre-
tending to be anxious for their education
and the salvation of their souls, he said,
were the greatest existing obstacles to Re-
publican ascendeney in the South, and so
he denounced them.
Abiding to his speech at Vicksburg,
Greeley said he did not say he trusted that
the time would come when we of the North
would honor Lee and StOnewall jackson as
we honor Grant and Sherman but that he
hoped the time would come when all Amer
leans, North and South, will feel just pride
in the military character and achievements
Of Lee and Stonewall jackson. just as we
Of the North now take pride in the achieve
ments of Grant, Sherman and Thomas
Possibly, added Mr.. Greeley, this is too
strong for some of you, but / can wait-I
IAN wait.
Concerning the new departure, Greeley
said: thought it was fully justified. The
Democrats have done well in departing
rom the foolish old business of running
heir heads against stone wall, but it has |
always been the rule of my life never to
,onjure up bad motives for good actions
The Democrats see that they are where |
hey had better not be, and that they had |
better depart. He was glad of the new de- |
and glad to see that the Democrats |
lad got new political religion, and that |
lereafter they would not carry the ak I'M
Ter their coats instead of on their shout |
lers when they went out chopping on Sun
lay.
1t would be better yet to leave it in the |
Food shed, and 90 out and treat the black
nan as brother, and he believed the
Democrats, at least a better part of the
Democrats, meant to do this and make
omething more than skin deep test of
Torth. He would not, however, make too
luch of the new departure. He did not I'M
asst warfare against the right of man, nor
lade any promise not to renew it, but if
ne Democrats admit that Republican
to the constitution are finally
nd irrevocably ratified, and must be got
ut, if at all, in the same way were got in,
Y majority of Congress and the vote of
of all the States, We shall feel
afe, and that all we have gained is secure
nder guarantees of the federal cOnstitu-
on, for, said Greeley, recalling his expe-
fences at the polls of this city twenty-five
ears, and later, twelve years ago, when l
ould not induce Democrat to accept the
allot in favor of equal rights. | believe in
uman progress. believe men are wiser and
etter to-day than they were dozen years
go. am weary of this sterile strife con-
erning the fundamental principles of our
institution. L am tired of teaching the
the a, b, c's of democracy, and
rejoice that they have taken a new de-
arturo. But VIII 1t not put the Repub-
can party immediately out of power, is
sked2 Burke says confidence is plant of
ow growth; and it will take some time
,r the people to have much faith in the |
ew creed of the Democracy; it will take |
Ome time for their own folks to believe it, |
think it will strengthen the
democracy; but am willing to go out of
over now and live in the minority for
yer, If necessary, for the downfall and
verthrOw of American slavery is the
randest work of any generation since the
overnment was founded. Let us remem-
er the grand old Bible quotation, Speak
D the children of Israel, that they may go
orward." We ought long ago to have
nded all the trouble by universal amnesty
nd impartial suffrage, and if the Demo
rats concede the latter, the Republicans
lust grant the former.
In conclusion, Mr.. Greeley summoned all
round him, ard prepared for the issues and
ne new struggle, which opens before us the
uestion of the industrial policy of national
dvancement and prosperity. They are
aiIv mora anH 1npoopl +bo l,oo% |