Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-07-10
GRAFT BROWN AND HENRY WILSON.

Since the death of President Lincoln,
during his term of office, the position of
Vice President has assumed an importance
far greater than was ever given to il be-
fore. Neither John Tyler nor Andrew
johnson would, probably, have been
nominated to that office had the question
of their occupying the chair of the EXecu-
tive been considered possibility. HUI
man life is precarious. True, death may
come to one as readily as to another to
Vice President or Chairman of the House
of Representatives as to President, but i'm
such cases the event, in its political aspect is
much less momentOus and the change of
relations more easily adjusted, not being,
rs in the case of the death of the Presi-
dent, matter of fixed rule.
Conceding-iu advance of the meeting of
the Baltimore Convention, which may
yet take the wind out of Greeley's sails by
the nomination of Charles Sumner-con-
ceding that Grant or Greeley is to be the
next President, the question is worthy of
grave consideration, who, in the event of
death or disability, is to take the
place for the remainder of the term
Many a man who has followed Horace
Greeley, or stood by him in his onslaughts
on slavery intemperance, free trade and
Democracy and determined to give him his
vote and whole political support in the APP
preaching canvass, would hesitate and
perhaps change his course, if the ques-
ton were shifted from Greeley or Grant
to Brown and Wilson.
Every one will admit that the name of
Gratz Brown carries no strength to the
Cincinnati ticket. 1t is much as Mast
suggests, u mere appendage to that of
Greeley. 1t will be as readily admitted
that it Is not so in relation to the ticket of
the Philadelphia Convention. Strong as
Grant is-stroDg enough to command "A
large vote of the Republican party-yet we
all know that the ticket is all the stronger
because of bearing the name of Henry
Wilson.
His antecedents, his whole course, in
deed, have been much more in harmony
with the principles of the Republican par
ty than those of Gen. Grant and when
Greeley faltered or was false to these prin-
ciples, then Wilson proved strong and true,
He is man that all parties can trust,
and do trust. They know that his hands
have never touched n bride, or dime of
the nations coin; that in all his duties, he
has been alike honest and firm, maintain
ing his integrity and allegiance alike to
moral and political principles, let it cost
him what it might, the loss of friends or
the increased opposition of enemies.
Should any circumstances place him in the
Executive Chair, the people would feel
perfect security concerning the admins
tration of the affairs of Government.
Rings and cliques of all parties would
not dare to approach him under false
pretences," for they know that he knows
them like n book ; and while true to all
sections and all races and parties, giving to
all fair play and due protection, we should
have no fear of any disloyalty to govern
ment, receiving entertainment for an hour,
nor that any mere political plea would
stand in the place of integrity as passport
to office.
The name of Gratz Brown is no pledge
of such assurance. Conceding all that is
claimed for him as to ability, there is moth
ing in his career to give him favor in the
minds of the people as man to
be trusted but on the contrary, as one to
be feared for his political chicanery and
political cunning, who would turn his
back upon the principles that have carried
us on to our present high position through
the last twelve years, and for the sake of
personal advantage, barter them to those
who entertained the political sentiments
that were the rallying cry of rebellion.
1t is not to be admitted that the interests
of the country would be safe under the adj
ministration of Horace Greeley; but if it
were so, as the past changes give us no as
surance ola continuance to the end of the
term, it becomes n question of grave i'm
port, if we are willing to trust them to the
hands of GratZ Brown.