Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-08-01

speech by.Senator Conklipg at New
York. He touches up Greeley on his
war record: .,--
Mr.. Conkling next came to Greeley's
record, saying all his deeds are to be
found in words. Extracts from the Yri-
6fale, after his first election and prior to
the Inauguration of Lincoln, We're read
to show that he melted secession by ex-
pressing willingness to let the South
leave the Union peaceably, as were also
extracts from speeches by General Blair
in the Senate in 1871, making the same
charge. The s'On to Richmond" articles
of the Tribune were also quoted as the
incarnation of eonceit and folly which
drove the army headlOng to Bull Run.
Before that battle, said Mr.. Gonkling,
Greeley imputed treason TO Gen. Scott,
and after defeat he eoddled up to Scott,
whom hehad tried to dishOnor less than
four weeks previously. Greeley, early
in Lincoln's administration, became
his enemy. This Lincoln knew, and
was ever on his guard. This is notice
able in the Niagara Falls peace affair.
Greeley had been for secession when
secession might have been averted; he
had been for battle when the time was
not come; he had been in turn for war
and peace when each was impossible;
and early in 1864, when the rebellion
was about to collapse, and when every
thing depended upon keeping the North
erect, with united and undaunted front,
Greeley fell intoa a swoen of despond-
ency and blamed our authorities for not
trying to make peace. The details Of
his negotiations at Niagara are given,
showing, said Conkling, nndeniably
that, first, Greeley was gulled by shall
low swindle; second, that he not only
bit at the bait but pressed the matter
upon Lincoln in a manner showing an
intention to carpat him unless he yield
ed to his views; third, that Lincoln
punctured the fraud at glance, and
yet Greeley did not see it; fourth, that
Greeley bungled the whole affair at Nj
agara, or else purposely violated the
repeated instructions of the President;
| fifth, that he tamcly Submitted to the
most unblushing effrentery and imposi-
tion from rebels; sixth, that he express
ly admitted and stated that Lincoln had
been tickle or untruthful, when he knew
he had not; and finally, that twhen Lin
coin sought to vindicate himself by
making the truth public, Greeley stified
the truth by threatening, if it was told,
| to publish matters having no bearing
on the cause, but which would deeply
wound the public interest. Who, said
Mr.. Conkling, can wonder that Stanton
proposed the arrest of Greeleyfor hold
| ing unauthorized and injurious inter-
course with the enemy? .Ji'I i ay..i
~ Greeley's financial policy--first OPP
posing the legal tender act, then favor
ing it; now opposing and then advo-
eating the resumption of specie pay
ment;next arguing for taxation to pay
the debt in ten years; first fayoring and
! then denouncing the income tax-was
alluded to and, the conclusion drawn
that one who changes his mind so often
! could not be trusted to run cider mill
| and financier for it. Eccentricity and
fiekleness are his traits. He has bolted
and advised bOlting; has opposed the
nomination or election of every Presi-
dent who has been chosen for thirty
| years; has quarrelled with every adj
ministration; has assailed the character
| of those he differed with wantonly and
savagely; has imputed corruption to
Others merely for not voting and think
ing as he did. He sought by intrigue
| the defeat of Lincoln after he had been
nominated the second time, and wrote
secret letters, which have since come to
light, to concoct measures to prevent
Lincoln's election. He strove to poi
son President Grant against capable and
honest Republicans, and advised him
to exclude from his councils men train
ed in public affairs.L He has recon-
mended unfit men for Office, and in
sisted upon their appointment. After
insisting and applauding everything
| involving principle,i he has struck at
the President on account Of patronage
and bolted the party, after .maneuver-
ing more than year to. get its nomina-
ton. lie apologized for the Tammany
robbers. He sought for two years, be-
fore his open desertion, to divide and
destroy the Republican party; and fin
ally signing the call for the Cincinnati
Convention, which adopted the free
trade Missouri platform, he turned his
back on the only political principle or
idea prominent for the lastten years of
which he had not before been on both
sides. ..ano.1