Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-06-04
COL JNO. S. MOSBY.

for gallantry and efficiency as an officer in our
late war between the States, as the one whose
name heads this article. Educated to the pro.
fession of the law, when called upon in '6I to
choose between constitutional liberty on the
one side, and consolidated despotism on the.
other, he cast his lot just where, judging from
the brave, true nature of the man, we would
have supposed he would cast it; and we have
never been able to discover that he has in any y
manner, up to this present moment, furnished
the reputation in which the South, as peo-
pie, takes so just pride. It was therefore
with regret that we read in the Baltimore Ga.
zette, OF the 9th inst, an article 10 which a
comparison, most unjust to Mosby, was insti.
tuted between him and Longstreet. And
why? For no other reason than because he
sincerely believed that Grant was a little more
fool than knave, and Greeley a great deal
more knave than fool. Whether that be true
or not, may not man entertain the opinion
without being branded with the term traitor.
Is there any thing in Mr.. Greeley's record to
which any Southern man should be SO warmly
attached that, upon the mere mention of the
word "ireeley," he should throw up his hat
and give three cheers? Did he not sanction
or rather didn't he clomor for the fagrantly
unconstitutional Ku Klux laws? We do not
propose in our brief space this morning even
attempting "to show up" Mr.. Greeley's DO,
litical record. Voorhees,, we are happy to
say, has done that in style far surprising our
slender ability. But admitting that Grant
has large number of relatives, whom he pro.
vldes for at the public expense, showing
rather too kind hearted an interest in their
weifare-and that he does accept presents from
all office seekers who can afford to give them
showing altogether too kind hearted an in
terest in himself, will anybody contend that
he is more bitterly hostile to Democratic prin>
c,ptes than shonest'' Horace Greeley himself
has always been? AS chief magistrate of
these United States, we think Grant has never
been able to realize that both he and Conoress
together do not hold the same position to-
wards the people of the several States that a
general in the field holds towards his troops
and subordinate officers. Hence, no Doubt
his readiness to execute any law which Con-
gress may pass, and to advise any measure
which he thinks necessary to support his alb
solute power. He is about as good Presi,
dent as the Gear of Russia would make. No
one can be more opposed to the re election of
Grant than we are; but we are not prepared
to say that he has ever committed anv out
rage upon the Constitution that "Honest
Horace Greeley did not sanction, until there
was prospect OF his becoming the nominee
OF the discontinued wing of the Republican
Parfy. Greeley as editor of one of the most
influential papers in the u S., was Obliged to
hear and read discussions upon the powers of
the Federal Government. 1t uncomfortable,
therefore, that this "honest" man could have
been so grossly ignorant of the fundamental
principles of the Government as to believe
that Congress had power to pass the Ku Klux
acts, the Enforcement act, and dozen others
of similar character.
Should the Democratic Conservative Con-
ventiop, which assemblies in Baltimore in
Jul y, see proper to nominate this sshonest"
Horace Greeley as our standard bearer in the
coming contest, we will feel in duty bound to
support him because he is the nominee of
the party to which we belong, because, as a
bid for Southern votes, he has at least pledged
himself to universal amnesty, and last, but by
no means least, we understand he has but one
orother'lp-law upon whom to lavish the pub
Tic money But our support certainly will
not be given because We have any great con-
fidence in his political honesty or that we be-
heve that, by his election, the centraizing
tendency of the Federal Government will be-
in the least checked. As we conceive the great
mission OF the democratic party is, to arrest
the centralizing tendency of the Government
at Washington, and to reafirm the true theory
OF the Constitution. that the States reserved
to themselves at least some rights upon which
their agent, the Federal Government can not
encroach, under any emergency, without gross
usurpation. IF that be the chief mission of
the Democracy, will it be affected by the cleo
ton OF Greeley any more than of Grant p
nosoy took that view of the subject and if
all who think with him are to be branded as
deserters to the Republican party, we are verv
much afraid that the Gazette will place manv
thousand true Democrats in the Republican
ranks. We intend to abide by the action of
the Baltimore Convention, whatever it NAV
be; but we sincerely hope it will not comnel
us to swallow so bitter pill as the e.honest
old man."