The Hickman courier., 1872-06-08
GreeIey's "ImpertInence.o -

In the course of his recent philippe in
the House, Hon. Dan. Voorhees, ridicul-
ed the generous act of Horace Greeley
in Offering himself as bail for Jefferson
Davis and thereby releasing him from a
dungeon. He spoke of it as an act OF
unnecessary intermeddling"-as the
restless impatience of mock philan-
thropy." The following communication
to the Macon Telegraph and Messenger
which its editors say comes from source
which is guaranty of its unquestioua-
bic NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the real circum-
stances under which Mr. Greeley took
the step:
Editors Telegraph and Messenger =
Mr.. Voorhees, in his recent attack on Mr..
Greeley, styled his signing Mr. Davis
bond 'an impertinent interference" AL
low me TO give you the true history OF
that matter as l recently heard it in New
ork, from a gentleman who knew all
about it. Mrs. Davis went to New York
to consult Charles O'Conor, Mr. Davis
counsel, as to the best manner of effect
tx his reaeAsesf ffoEli. prison Mo .l,oRat
told her that in his opinion there was
but one way that ii could be done, and
that was to get representative man Of
the Republican party 10 sign his bond.
Mrs Davis inquired who that man was
Mr. O'Conor replied that it was Horace
Greeley. She then asked him if he would
not see him and get him to do it. He
replied that he had no influence with Mr..
Greeley, and that size was the proper per-
son to see him. She said she would 90
aud see him. She went to his office, sent
IN her card, and was invited into his pri
vate office. She said to him: "Mr. /
Greeley, my husband is confined in
casemate at Fortress Monroe. He has |
been there for many long, weary months |
He is a feeble old man, and he is grad |
ually sinking under his rigorous impris- |
onment He will die if he remains there |
much longer. | came here to consult |
Mr.. O'Conor as to the means of getting 1
him released. He has told me that there /
IS but one way to do it, and that is to get /
a representative man of the Republican .
party to sign his bond, and says that you
are that man. He has advised me to
apply TO you. He says you have kind .
heart, and that you will do it, if you be
ieve it to be right. My husband is dy-
ing Mr.. Greeley, may l hope that you
will favorably consider my application"
Mr.. Greeley arose, extended his hand
to Mrs. Davis, and said Madam, you
may, for l will sign his bond"
Mr.. Greeley was then prominent can
iidate before the legislature for the
United States Senate. Some of his
friends heard that he had agreed to sign
Mr.. Davis bond. They went TO him aud .
protested against it. They told him that
hey had made a count, aud that he would .
De elected By six majority, but that if he
signed this bond it would defeat him.
lie replied; Il know it will" They
old him that he was one of the owners
If the Tribune, and if he signed this
bond he would lose thousands of SUBJ
seribers. He said Il know it." They /
'aid MIR. Greeley, you have written a
history of the war; one volume you
laye out, and have sold large numbers of
t. Your second volume is nearly out,
md you have large orders for that III
rou sign this bond, these orders will be
ountermanded and you will lose large
mount of money" He replied Gen,
lemen, l know it, but it is right, and I'll
10 it." He did do it, and | am inform
d that be lost 4 seat in the United States
senate aud over thirty thousand dollars
To my mind this does not look like
impertineut interference" X x X