Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-12-05
WILMINGTON, DEL.
Thursday Afternoon, Dec, o.
THE SHOCKING POLICY OF PERSONAL AT
TACK IN POLITICAL CONTROVERSY.

MIR. Greeley's candidacy did much toward
smoothing the political situation. The manner
in which il was accomplished compelled an un-
conditional surrender by the Democratic organ
izAtion upon some Of the leading questions
which had previously been most bitterly con-
tested. And now that Mr. Greeley is dead, with
President Grant one Of the mourners at his fu-
neral, it is evident that much more has been
done to wipe ont the bitterness, and soften the
Asperities OF political controversy. We will not
saw that these quarrels have been buried in the
grave with the dead man; it may better be ex-
pressed that they have been burned to ashes,
under the influences Of the occasion, and that
the people, sensbly affected by the sad circum-
stances Of his death, desire to commit to oblivion
many things Of the past, whose remembrance
could only be bitter, and unpleasant.
1t is quite time that there should arrive this.
second EZRA Of good feeling" We have before
us. at the moment, the editorial article of q
journal published in this city. The article is q
wear and half old, and refers to allegations
which the newspaper had made concerning Mr..
Greeley, and which he had with some earnest
ness, denied. Its expressions are gross, bitter,
ical opponent. By the ancient theories Of polit-
ical controversy, which the newspaper named
adopted, it was under no obligation to treat him
with the commonest courtesy, The article is
headed Greeley in Rage and opens by saying
that he has replied to the charges against him in
lin his usual vulgar and ill-mannered style. 1t
remarks that the charges "stirred up
the bile under Mr.. Greeley's sheep-skin;' and
adds that in his denial there is
the attitude Of the saloon bully" 1t
asks whether it is any wonder that the Rad
''ical Party Of New York is 80 cursed with black
guards, thieves, and cut-throats, when the
leader Of it's chief organ sets such vulgar ex-
,'ample? Mr.. Greeley, it asserts "hopes to
i'make himself popular with the lower classes
"who ill the grog shops, by assuming their
style" Some it says, have been deceived by
his sanctimOnious pretensions and hypocrtical
cant" Again, Mr. Greeley is an adept at con-
"cealing the truth. He knows how to shuttle
around it, and circulate lie where it suits his
party or his person There are hundreds OF
Mr. Greeleys readers, it declares" who
q would scarcely credit his declaration in court
- Of justice, where it to his interest to con.
ceal the TRUTH ' His journal has been, Tor {
year or two, kicked out of all decent society.
This was the style adopted only eighteer
months ago, by a Wilmington newspaper, to as.
sail Mr.. Greeley. 1t is sad reading, in the hgh
Of recent tragic events, but it was hardly less so
at the time of publication These accumulated
personal insults many Of when were without
possible justification, were hurled at thelr Oh
ject, largely, if not altogether, because he was
political opponent. Such were some Of the VIC
lent features Of political controversy, which, It'll
to be hoped, are new departed from amongst us
That they were unnecessary might be show
from the instance we quote, for this very news
paper, in years time, came to the support o
Mr.. Greeley and urged that be ought to b
elected President of the United States thu
proving either that it did not believe its own az
saults upon him were Just, Or that it was indil
erent whether they we're or not. In either case
what was the use Of soiing white paper wit
such a shameful TRADE