New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-18
A QUESTION OF WINNERS.

A QUESTION OF MANNERS.
What the Administration journals have to
say against the Cincinnati nominees we try
to accord a fair hearing In other columns,
amid the multitudes of extracts from South
ern papers, from German papers, from
State papers, from Democratic and Re-
publican and Independent papers, there APP
pear in due order and proportion the salient
or significant demonstrations of the Renom-
nation press. But perhaps we have given
less space than heretofore to mere personal
abuse. OF all reading that soon becomes
the dreariest and most monOtonous. Here
tofore we have scrupulously selected the
most wanton and false attacks on Mr.. Greeley
we could find and have spread them before
our readers without note or comment. Dull
caumDy as so many OF these were, they
nevertheless presented phase of the
Presidential canvass which, to our minds, is
of curious interest. 1t involves one of the
inconsistencies of our American nature--one of
the revelations constantly occurring of the
contradiction of profession by practice. If
there be one sentiment that falls glibly from
the tongue, especially of democratic men, it
is Glove for the people," faith in popular in
stincts, sympathy with popular aspirations.
Yet the moment, in the struggle for the peo-
pies honors, one of the people proper, racy
of the rugged soil from which he sprang, ar
rayed neither in purple and fine linen nor
in rags, but simple russell and plain home
spun, puts himself or is put in competition for
these honors, sneer curls the lip and sympa-
thy with the people fades away. If the
local opposition to Mr.. Greeley-we mean
especially the opposition in this artificial
community, were fairly analysed, two chief
elements would be detected-a sort of aristO-
cratic (using the word in the vulgar sense)
antipathy to a man of humble birth, and, it is
saId ungraceful manners-and professional
jealousy.
One leading Republican journal actually
protrudes both these emotions in the
most offensive form, and, actuated by the
Jealous motive, makes Mr.. Greeley's dress and
manners the subject of elaborate adverse COM
ment. They are not, we cOncede, topics which
it is easy to discuss, and we have no idea of
doing it defensively; but surely such unworthy
microscopic criticism is most painfully unre-
publican. Good or bad manners are what the
world has differed about, time out of mind.
One would suppose our Presidents had all
been continuous GrandisOns- that, from Wash
ington to Grant, all had been masters of
dignifed decorum. To be sure, there are ira
ditions of Mr.. Jeffersons red breeches and
top boots, and his tying his horse to the Cap
itol fence; and Miss Seaton describes poor little,
weazen-faced Mr.. Madison mot knowing what
"to do with himself at drawng-roOm :" and
who will ever forget modest awkward Zachary
Taylor, on a similar occasion, endeavoring to
force his soldier knuckles into kid gloves not
the smallest 7 The younger Adams was not
Lord Chesterfield and the newspaper
now 80 sensitive to the impression of
plain speech and what it terms rude man
ners, never had or is glad now to forget any
word of cavil for Abraham Lincoln, with
his strong Western stories, or Andrew
Johnson's ruggedness. But Mr.. Greeley
is not to be endured The truth is, this kind
of caviing, this personality in its gross form,
is beneath contempt, but it has its compensa-
ton. The yeomanry Of the country, the toll
ing farmer and miner, care very little for
these social refnements, the cut of Mr..
Greeley's coat, or his mode of getting in
and out of a room. We should wish no bet
ter mode of promoting his popularity with
the laboring masses OF the country than the
perseverance of the fastidious, kid gloved,
lutestring critics of this vicinage in this
system of pitiful personal detraction.
Not less unworthy and in the end Intellectual
is the professional jealousy to which we have
alluded, and as to which we speak with nat
ural reserve. Still, as a fact it exists, and is
operative. 1t too, however, is purely local.
Save in this city and in ono or turn exceD-
tional instances out of it, it has no influence.
and very little here. The rural journalism-a
vast power, 1t may be observed-of all parties
feels honored by this tribute to the craft. The
masonry of the press is very sympathetic, and
once walked it is irresistible. Our first great
Printer owes half his fame to the power of the
newspaper press. The statue which to-day
adorns our square is due to the press; and
when We read the sneer Of some Of our