Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-19

IS a confession that all his campaign harangues
were only empty words, and that he recognized
no reason for his attitude of opposition to the
republican party except the opportunity for
himself TO be chosen president.
But if actual neutrality would mean this, the
attitude of benevolent neutrality" as the
World calls it, borrowing famous diplomatic
phrase, which Mr.. Greeley has assumed towards
the administration, means something more. To
prove that he has assumed that attitude the
World quotes from the Tribune of the 18Th:
We have said that the renewed administra-
ton must be impeiled by its very strength, If by
no higher consideration, to pour oil upon the
wounds of the south. Ii has no longer any
need of Moses or CLAYTON or Spencer; IL has only
TO hint what these must do and it will be done.
We shall be SOrety disappointed if Gen. Grant
docs not soon, in his own way, let II be known
at the south that thieves may no longer hope for
immunity from just retributiOn by shouting
themselves hOarse in his praise and sugmatzlng
those opposed 10 them as rebels
Mr. Greeley, in the speeches which he made
advocating his own election, chose to put the
greatest stress upon what he called "reconcilia-
ton His election, and that alone, could give
relief 10 the south; the success of Gen. Grant
would perpetuate policy of prescription and
hate. He persuaded great many people that
he believed all this. 1t is now clear that he did
not, and he has no hesitation in announcing
publicly that there was nothing in it, He thinks
the south will be quite as much adyantaged by
Gen. Grants election as it would have been by
his, and will be "sorely disappointed" if this
does not prove TO be the case. The World says,
very justly, that "no public man can afford to
triae in this way with his character for sin
cerity."
The legislature which meets to-day, although
called together for special purpose, has of
course the same extent Of jurisdiction over all
subjects as it had last winter and spring when
assembled in regular session. Business OF all
kinds may be introduced, and laws, general and
special, be enacted with the same freedom,
whether they have any defnabe relation to the
Boston fire or moi. On former occasions when
called together as now TO meet some special
emergency, the legislature has frequently given
a considerable share of its attention to other
matters than those which made its assembling
necessary, and it may do the same this year.
Probably, however, it will confne itself pretty
have been raised by the calamity at Boston:
Whether additional authority is needed for the
Encouragement of streets in tue burnt district;
whether it is expedient to enable the city to
raise money by loan for the purpose of lending
it to individuals to aid them in rebuilding their
warehouses; whether any legislation is desir-
able to enable insurance companies to le-
organize and resume business These
are all important questions on which
opinions differ widely, but to none of them
except the first is a speedy answer so imperative
ly demanded as to make an extra session neces-
sary, and the first seems already to have re-
ceved practical answer by the general agree
ment of the citizens meetings held within the
last few days that no radical change in the di.
rection and lines of the streets Is desirable; but
only such judicious widening and Strengthening
as is quite within the authority of the municipal
officers. The other questions will probably be
thoroughly discussed. Ifthere were substantial
unanmty in Boston in regard to the proposed
loan, that matter would no doubt be decided in
accordance with the wishes of the Boston men,
bers; but since the Boston people are divided,
some thinking the loan almost necessary for
prompt rebuilding, and others that it is need
less, uuwiSe and dangerous precedent, the
course of the legislature can not be anticipated
with any confidence. 1t would not be very
strange if the session should come to an end
without positive action on any of these ques-
tons, and that would not be the worst thing il
could do