Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-07-09
Speech Of Horace Greeley.

BosroN, July 3.-The concert this after
noon was listened to by a large audience
Mr.. Horace Greeley was escorted to- the press
room previous tosthe concert, and introduced
to the ladies and gentlemen representatives. of
the press. Alter few minutes pleasant con-
yersation, in answer to general call, he spoke
as follows:
It has faller to my lot recently, as you are
doubtless aware, to be placed before the pub
lie in somewhat conspicuous attitude, that
is to say, We who work for the press and live
by the press, work and live in public sight
and under public criticism to greater degree
that most people, aud yet think day that
my position is a little more exposed to cavil
and disparagement than that of most of you.
1t has been said of me that / do not depreciate
l would not disarm criticism. but it has
been said of me. and take as great tes,i-
monial and compliment, that while in the bust.
ness have pursued throughout life, I have
shown myself very fairly competent. very
fairly dligsnt and successful; yet if L we're or
should be invited into another line of life,
into different and it you please higher respon.
sibilities, should be found equal to them.
Well, ladies aud gentlemen, | cannot we'll
expect to have anything better said OF me by
my friends, much less by my adversaries,
than to sax that have done we'll that which
l have had to do. IApplause1
1t would seem tolerably safe deduction
that one who has been doing we'll all his life
that which he has tried TO do, may possibly,
may reasonably, be expected to do something
else if he were to undertake it. Some of my
critics observe that though for myself, per-
sonally, am tolerably honest aud respec>
table person, yet my associates are not very
desirable--an unworthy set. daughter and
applause
am sorry for that, because nay associates
through life have been mainly gentlemen and
ladies L see about me (appiause,) whose ac-
qua'ntance made while engaged in the mat.
ter OF preparing information for the public
press, and [ can hardly hope to fiud better in
future life than those I have had. I trust
this was not meant t., say that such gentlemen
and ladies as see before me have not, on the
whole, performed their work, and discharged
their responsibilities with reasonable fidelity.
With human error with human mperfections,
with human faults, doubtless, but still with
fair human fidelity.
AT all events, ladiea and gentlemen, with
such as you my fortune has been associated
through life; with such Won it will be as
scented to the end. and if the world shall say
OF ino IN the end. he was good printer re-
spectacle publisher and an honest editor, all
my ambition will be satisfied. Ladies' and
gentlemen. l will tax your attention no
longer. Applause
AT the conclusion of his speech Mr.. Gree
ley was conducted to the city rccer ton room,
where a large number of politicians and few
ladies sought an Introduction. On entering
the vast auditorium considerable enthusiasm
was manifested. the people iu the parquette
generally rising to greet him, and Those in the
balconies waving their handkerchiefs in re-
c"gniton Cheers were given By the more
excltable. and few minutes elapsed before
the programme could be resumed