Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-11-05
A LITTLE NosEGAY.

On the third of last February. says the
Golden Age, Mr.. Greeleys sixty>drst birth-
day was celebrated at the house of his friend,
Mr.. A. j. johnson, of this city. The occa>
sion was brilliant and memorable, aud Mr..
johnson has published a pretty memento Of it,
prepared by Mr.. Charles F. Wingate. In
addition to an account of the distinguished
authors, artists, Journalists, aud statesmen
who paid their respects to Mr.. Greeley during
the evening, the little blue book contains a
score or two of letters from parties who had
been invited, but were unable to be present.
This was eight months ago. before Mr..
Greeley's nomination to the Presidency was
regarded as within the limits of probability,
and it is pleasant to look over this little dainty
bouquet Of letters, aud Gull out the beautiful
things put in it by pen who now represent
Mr.. Greeley as the embodiment of all voices
and all vilanies. Here are few flowers that
were contributed by men who are now plating
thorns for the brow they then twined with
oak and ivy:
DIR. George B. Loring, President of the
Massachusetts, Republican Convention, writes
to Mr. Greeley: ri desire to thank you Cor
what you have said aud done for the emanci>
patton of the public mind from much error
and idolatry, and for the light have drawn
from you to guide my own steps," Mr..
sGsotss William Curtis, the editor. Of paper
% beia f,jouruato Of civilization"
ben filled with misrepresenta-
Features infamous in their char
b wrote to Mr.: johnson That this
= Vary was q iittime to recall Mr.. Gree
ley great services to liberty and civilization
IN America. 2 and adds that I'VE must not
yet speakgof his old age, for the man whom
temperance and the cardinal virtues befriend
a youth at three score and ten"
John G. Whittier says of Mr. Greeley. that
"by example and precept he has taught les
sons of temperance. self>reliance, industry,
frugaity, and charity.
President Hopkins writes that Mr.. Gree>
ley ''has honored in many ways the institu>
tions under which alone he could come to be
what he is" Mr.. Secretary Boutwell,, before
whose eyes the bloody chasm had not then
yawned, writes that Mr.. Greeley's 'sloug and
eminent service as a journalist, and his earn
est suppot of the cause of the oppressed, en-
title him to the honor proposed" Prof
Perry, who has broken many lance with
the great Protecti"nist on the free trade issue.
writes: Il have never wavered for mos
ment in my earliest conviction that he is
very honest and very able man." Gerrit
Smith expresses the most "affectionate in
terest in his excellent and honored friend Z"
x X X
Daniel N. Haskell, editor of the Boston
Transcript, which speaks of Mr. Greeley in
the most contemptuous terms it is master of,
wrote then that 'no man in the country bet>
ter deserves to have his birthday honored by
his friends. Long may his useful life be
spared in its full vigor so that he nav be able
t" see his cherished ideas carried into practi-
cal operation, so far can be in human So
ciety." And W. S. Robinson, the Warning
ton" of sharp and brilliant pen, who hates
Gen. Grant beyond measure, but cannot sup
port Mr.. Greeley because his name does not
happen to be Charles Francis Adams. writes:
cit would give me great pleasure to be pres
ent on any occasion designed to do honor to
the founder Of the Tribune, by far the great
est power, thus far, in American Journalism"
These are but sample bowers culled from
this choice and fragrant basket. Their beauty
aud perfume will be peculiarly refreshing to
those who contributed them 70 the collect;on
we offer them to our readers for their special
enjoyment 1t is hardly necessary to remark
upon the improbablity that the devoted friend
of the poor and oppressed and enslaved, the
able, upright, honorable man, the pioneer of
civilization, and the champion of humanity,
has been transformed into traitor, drvel-
ling idiot, and an infuriatcd fend in lust
eight months.