Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-07-21
Personal WORTH AND CHARACTER
or HORACE GREELEY.


and then alleged, wild, impnctieabl,
theorist. He is an earnest and profound
thinker, always in advance Of ordinary
minds, aud sometimes fully ready, OF
this account, as be said in his letter to
Seward, to do "to-day what more polite
persons viii not be ready to do tin TO-
morrow In 1924, before he was
thirteen years old, he deliberately re-
solved TO drink no more distilled
liquors. Thoughtfully forming this
resolution while a mere boy, he made
no noise about his determination, but
had firmly taken his position before the
temperance m0vement commenced. 1t
was not likely that he would 80 back
after many Others were ready to 90
forward: so he has remained, all his life,
in his habits and convictions a temper
ance man. Vet he has often exposed
himself TO the denmeiatiOns of those
who came later TO the same opinions, by
opposing the insertion Of this ques-
tion into politics and fighting political
battles on this issue. There was always
a strong vein Of conservatism in his ma
ture which impeiied him to seek the
good which was attainable and 10 pre-
serve carefully what was achieved rather
than waste efforts in rash attempts
TO attain improbabilities. This is clear
~ shown in his Anti-Slavery record.
He believed that slavery was wrong and
Improbable, as fully and as strongly as
the Abolitionists. Yet he never allied
himself with them, and he gives his
reasons in these words: "Granted
most heartily that slavery ought to be
abolished, how was that consummation
TO be effected by societies and meetings
Of men, women and children, who
owned 10 slaves, and had no sort of
control over, or even intimacy with
those who did" This was the way his
practical mind viewed the subject.
He exposed himself to continual
obloquy and abuse from Garrison
and Phillips. He was accused, of
treaehery and insincerity, because he
chose to address himself to shareholders
and those who had control of this mat
ter, rather than spend his time among
men, women and children" who had
no concern with il. He Joined no third
parties, but kept his allegiance to Henry
Clay and the Wing party, preferring to
struggle for reforms within his party,
rather than risk the loss Of everything
10y mad policy Of extremists. This
story is moi descriptive Of wild theorist.
This Is mind which seeks constantly
and persisteutly, by legitimate modes,
for that which is the end of all true phi
lOsophy, according to Bacon. He always
sought after 80 fruit, - theTeIiefo OF mans
estate, A" 4" c0umodis h,,m0jtis inscrrirc."
Mr.. Greeley has been known as a sturdy
and formidable partisan. No man could
deal blows harder or faster. No man
was more strenuous in his opinions, or
more ready 20 defend them. Yet no
prominent politician ia the country has
been more ready to seek or form alliance
with his opponents, when a real present
good was 10 be attained. He has fre-
quently incurred blame in his own party
by advising the Withdrawal Of objection
able candidates, and supporting accept
able ones ON the other side. This he has
done so often in municipal elections in
New York that he has long had the
Of the best men among his
opponents. II viii be remembered that
New York declared for him next after
Tennessee, Though many men had TO /
forgive hard words and hard blows. |
They could not have done this if they
had not known how tolerant and /.
practical he has always been. Mr.. /
Greeley's course during the war
has been severely criticised, but when t
viewed without prejudice it must be
deemed eminently sensible. After hos
tilities really commenced, he wished for /
prompt and vigorous action. His
paper echoed the cry " On to Rich !
mond." Probably it il not generally
known that Fitz Henry Warren, andnot
Mr.. Greeley, originated this phrase.
Warren was the Washington cores
pondent of the Tribune until he was
made Colonel Of cavalry. Mr.. Greeley
thought that both Richmond and Mont
yoI1eTy should have been occupied and
before the Confederate Congress had a
chance to meet. Hethought prevention
better than protracted slaughter and de-
5truction. After the dilatory policy had
allowed the war 10 be pEotracted, he
eagerly for every chance TO ne
yotiate He would even have favored
.he expenditure Of several hundred mill
lions in securing an honorable peace
rather than have employed more mill
ions IN destroying lives and running
antilles. He had another object in view
IN these negotiations. He believed their
fleet was very demoralizing upon the
confedea acy, and that the rumors of
hem would much assist ia Fastening
)eace. Are these the views Of a scared
md silly man? Looking at them calm
" by the light Of subsequent events,
thai. they were not seand
Tacticale We had no such superiluity
IF wisdom displayed during the war, 10y
.ither Generals or civilians, as to justi-
y as in any harsh criticism concerning
he opinions Of anybody. Let Others
how that they were wiser and more
ensible than Mr.. Greeley, before they
ssune too serene an air of self-satisfac-
ion and become too intolerably pitiful
f the ininnities Of poor, weak man,
Who is 50 fer above and superior 10 them
hat they have not yet been able to get
correct glimpse Of his many-sided
reatness. All thinkers are theorists. ,
f man have no theories he has no ,
rains. The intelligent day laborer has
is theory of his days work in his ,,
lind. The greater and more active the ;
rain, the more thoughts and theories
.iH multiply. "The true king is he
,ho sways The mighty realm Of ,
hought.n SO says Greeley himself {
Dnly fools have no theories.
=-.---.s-a.------
The Lucas County Ohio Republican
convention 20 choose delegates to the
Congressional Convention !
D be held on the twenty-iifth, met in s
his city yesterday. The delegates {
hosen were instructed TO support the /
OminatiOn Of George R. HAYNES, of