Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-11
MISSOURI-GREELEY INTO AND -

The republicans Of Missouri who bolted
in 1870, bring up some facts in relation to
Mr.. Greelcy's course then and now, that
it will trouble him as much to explain as
his signing the late New York letter en-
dorsing the Cincinnati call. The St. Louis
Democrat, which supported the bolt in
1871 on local grounds, but now is against
continuing the division in the national
election, publishes the following caustic
article upon Mr.. Greeley. His dcnuncia-
tons of boilers and free trade at that time
are in striking contrast with his recent
utterances:
| The Missouri boilers of 1870 were unspar-
ihgly denounced by the great and good Mr..
Greeley. His journal had no terms too harsh
for them. They were demagogues, renegades,
c0pperheads, traitors. Not only were they
censured, but in truth they were grossly and
utterly misrepresented in the Tribune. They
| were declared to have betrayed the national
party and cause, and free trade. This journal
ventured to give the denial to those aspersions,
and Mr.. Schurz controverted them in the Sem
ate, but they were nevertheless persisted in.
Our position was that the bolt was local and
|
the participants in it to the common republi-
can cause, and that when the proper time
should come they would be found in the ranks
of their party and uncompromisingly hostile
to democratic ascendency.
The proper time has arrived, and it is now
pertinent to ask, not only where are the Mis-
souri, Liberals of 1870? but, where is Mr..
Greeley! We are happy to assure Mr.. Gree.
ley, and he may readily satisfy himself of the
fact that the tens of thousands of republicans
who voted for Gratz Brown in this State and
were so stintlessly slandered by him for so
doing, have falsified the calumnies he then
heaped upon them; and we regret to add that,
while they are doing this, he is himself fulfill
ing the part which he prophesied for them.
Two or three of their leaders have yielded to
the temptation to which he also has succumbed,
and he now stands with these two or three faith
less leaders, while the liberal masses of Mis-
souri, repudiate both him and them. He can.
not have studied the progress of events and
the signs of the times in this quarter if he is
not intentionally suspicious this is the fact.
The Missouri boilers of 1870 pleaded their
local cause within the local party. They
mantully piled argument, remonstrance and
to determine if possible, the COM
position and action of their State Convention,
and with all the force they could muster they
went into their convention. Mr.. Greeley, |
who then gave them his prettiest abuse, now
supports standard of revolt against his par
ty, bolts the National Convention in advance,
and instead of directly seeking to influence its
complexion and action, proclaims war upon it
and its candidate beforehand. lie is for the
Cincinnatians and democratic coalition in the
national campaign, and is in effect, labOring
to keep out of the Philadelphia Convention
even those who might render its results ac-
ceptable to him. Not only this, but he is
hand with free-traieIs. Against his
protectionist convictions and against his own
on the national issues, Mr.. Greeley
oins republican cabal for democratic all-
.nce three months before republican con-
senton can have done or omitted ought to
Justify his displeasure, thereby forfeiting his
tight to complain of its action. whatever that
shall be. How does his course contrast with |
that of the Missouri Liberals of 1870? lie |
accused them of free-tradism, but they have |
not had enough Of it to separate them from
pro'ectionist republicans. His republicanism
does not prevent him from atfiliating with free
traders and the opposers OF enforcement leg
islauons under the amendments against his
party.
But we can come to his relief and demon-
strate his consistency. With us 1870 the
question was one OF so amending our State
Constitution as to restore the suffrage to those
VINO were DISTINGUISHED for dsloyalty. TWAS
also with Us q question of republican strength
IN Missouri in 1872. With disfranchs emeut
either nnrepealed or repealed by an exclusive .
democracy victory, the republican party in
Missouri woald have been msrtally shattered. /
In opposing and denouncing us then, Mr.. /
Greeley did his best to make Missouri forever
a democratic government. In this view he !
may still claim the jewel of consistency.