Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-05-24
Mon. d. w. VOOrhees-GreeIey v
Grant.


Hon. ID. w. VoOrhees-GreeIey vs..
Grant
In order to correct any misrepresentation
that might grow out of his recent speech III
Congress in reference to Mr.. GREELEY,
Mr.. VOORHEES, has addressed letter to
one of his constituents, in which he de
elares that "the idea that he would under
any circumstances support GRANT seems
too ridiculous for serious consideration and
that the statements to that effect are ma
iciously and abSurdly false
Mr.. VOORHEES, says further, ''The reason
why l will not support GREELEY is that
he Is no better man than GRANT III any
respect and on some points he is worse.
We have not thought it proper to de-
nounce Mr.. VOORHEES, for tie expression
Of his individual sentiments i'll regard to
the propriety Of giving Democratic support
TO Mr.. HORACE GREELEY. This is
question upon which Democrats may we'll
differ in speech and action until the decis
ion of the Party shall have been authori-
tatively announced in the utteranceS Of its
vention. 1t is one thing to refuse to sup
port the candidate whom the party has
nominated, it is quite another to refuse to
aid to bring about his nomination.
Mr.. VOORHEES, has fought too long and
too CALAMITY in behalf of the South fer us
to be willing to denounce him for his first
indiscretion.
The South can sooner forgive al enemy
than forget friend. Southern men may
forgive GREELEY but they cannot forget
aVoORHEEs. We have therefore no harsh
or unkind words for Mr.. VOORHEES,. We
are free to admit, however, that his speech
was very indiscreet one, and that we eX-
ceedingly regret that he has seen proper 10
pursue a course that may so easily impair
his usefulness.
Nor do we think Mr.. VOORHEES, states
the case correctly when he narrows the
issue before the people of the United States
TO the comparative consistency of the
records or correctness of the principles Of
GKEELEY and GRANT in days gone hy.
1t is well known that prior to the war
LEY was a Wing; that GRANT had 10
soruples, conscientious or otherwise, about
slavery, and that GREELEY was an avowed
AbOlitionst; that GREELEY was teetOta-
Ter and that GRANT drank to excess; that
GREELEY was Il protectionist and that
GRANT, if he ever heard of " tariff" was
freetrader; that if GREELEY was a free
lover, GRANT was no less freebooter and
ire liver.
These are questions not now before the
country. The issues now are Amnesty,
Retrenchment, Reform, the right of Local
Self-Government and opposition to
Consolidation Of Power in the hands of the
Federal Authorities.
II the contest shall be narrowed down to
q choice between GRANT and GREELEY
we do not see how any Democrat can, for
moment, hesitate as to the proper per-
son for whom to cast his vote.
The question then will not be whether
GREELEY or GRANT has the better re-
cord as a Democrat, but whether in this
present juncture in the affairs of The coun-
try the election of HORACE GREELEY, with
his surroundings, or the election of Gener-
al GRANT with his surroundings, promises
the quicker and surer return of the Fed
eral Government to its legitimate constitu-
tionel sphere. When that one question is
answered, the whole matter is decided.
The single fact that GRANT is now at this
very moment seeking at the hands Of Con-
gress to retain the power to suspend the
writ Of habeds corpus, and that GREELEY
opposes it is sufficient to outweigh a far
better record than either of these men pos
sesseS
From the reelection OF President GRANT
We can expect nothing but continuance,
for another term of four years, of corrupt,
oppressive military despotism. From the
election of Mr.. GREELEY upon the Liberal
principles of the Cincinnati platform, sup
ported by such Republicans as Senators
Schulz, FERRY and TRUMBULL and Gov
ernor PALMER, and opposed by such Rad
icals as Senators MORTON, CoNKLING,
CAMERON and Pool and all carpet baggers
of high and low degree, we may have rea-
sonable hope for the restoration of Consti-
tutional Government, and possibly the in
auguratiSn of an era of good feeling
throughout the country at large.
In our view, then, Mr.. VOORHEES, does
not state the question either accurately or |
fairly, as between Mr.. GREELEY and !
General GRANT. The questions involved |
in the coming campaign will be far above
mere party, partisan consistency or party
!