Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-07-20
Mr.. GREELEY IN DANGEROUS
HANDS.

NM. uHE LALx Nv Od-N We sOCc
HANDS.
The alarming feature 10 all who desire
good government, in the nomination of
Mr.. Greeley, is the VIGOROUSLY corrupt
character of the men who sustain and sur
round him. Granted that he were honest
and DESTROYS of conducting affairs honest
ly, he is entirely powerless in the hands of
such followers. They have already led
him to perform the greatest political
summerset ever attempted, have put him
in position totally inconsistent with his
past record. made him a laughing stock
for the world and a disgrace to his friends,
and having done this it is useless to say
they would not make him their humble
tool as President could he be elected.
We have repeatedly spoken Of the bad
character of the men who sustain Mr..
Greeley, but lest our statements should not
be considered impartial and have their due
weight, we call attention to what some of
the papers in the interest of Mr.. Greeley
have said upon the matter. The Spring
field Republican of Massachusetts supports
Mr.. Greeley. and here is what 1t says:
That some of the worst men in the country
have donned white hats and are hurrahing
Justify for Greeley is fact patent to all who
have eyes and ears. This is especially true OF
his own State. Men whom he has been as Wig
orously as justly denouncing for years past
have had the magnanimlty to overlook the
personal grievance, forgive the harsh Ian
guage and forget ancient grudge against the
editor In their newborn enthusiasm tor the
candidate. Hardly anywhere has his nomna-
ton commanded more demonstrative favor or
q more jealous support than among the New
York politicians who whilom SAT ut the feet Of
Mr.. Tweed and ran at his beck. We do not
blame Mr.. Greeley's more reputable friends
for being worried BY this fact, but they should
not undertake to cover it up under vehement
denials. That is to waste breath in pecul
isrly foolish and idle manner. Their better
plan 10 to fall back upon the tn Quoqae."
The editor acknowledges the fact of the
corrupt associations and influences sur
rounding and supporting Mr.. Greeley, be-
cause he thinks it is useless. being so plain
to be seen. to undertake to cover it up.
We thank him for his confession though it
is no credit to him when the motive is
considered. Another Greeley organ in
the West the Cincinnati Commercial says
SIT 10 true, we believe, that the democratic
party machinery Of New York, including
Tammany, 10 al work for Greeley. 1t is true,
also, within our own knowledge, that some OF
the worst men in this community, those who
have lived and fattened upon public plumber,
and are notorious schemers to empty the
pockets Of the many into the hands of the
few, are Greeley men and most anxious TO
be known as such. evidently pushing them
selves, hoping to have profitable recognition.
That in Cincinnati which corresponds most
clos " TO Tammany, is for Greeley. Our
Boss Tweed is q Greeley man."
These ayowals by Mr.. Greeley friends
of the dangerous character of his leading
supporters in the North. are worthy of at
tention by considerate inen of all parties.
Mr.. Greeley as President, owing his cleo
ton TO such rascals rs Boss Tweed, would
be as 'clay in the hands of the potter"
II he would be honest he conld not. Ii
does not argue for Mr.. Greeley's honesty
that he accepted nomination under such
circumstances. The only defence offered
tor him by personal friends is. that his
vanity and overwhelming desire for noto-
riety could not withstand the appeals to
them.
When to these dangerous classes in the
North is added the irreconcilabe rebel ell
ement OF the south, longing and hunger
ing for revenge upon the North, there is
enough in the combination to startle every
patriot into earnest action for Grant and
Wilson. We of the North We're slow to
believe until the rebel batteries opened
upon Sumpter, that the South would as
sail the government with arms. Let us be-
ware that we do not neglect TO take due
notice of the danger threatening the gov
eminent in this Greeley movement were
success possible. 1t might be the begin
ming of another conflict bloodier than tha
inaugurated at Sumpter. Instead of re
form we might have rebellion and an
arrhy, and the wave of prosperity now
reaching 10 all classes in the country I'M
der the beneieent and wise administration
u Grant. would be turned back in its
course 10 yield TO the red surges of civil
and sanguinsry conflict.