The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-09-26
Political S0mersau;ts.

CONVERSIONS or changes which run in
the line of personal advancement, of pop.
ular sentiment, of anticipated victory may
be without faint Or bias; but they will
never be regarded as evidence of superior
virtue or rare patriotism. Especially is
this true in politics. In any dubious
struggle, like the pending Presidential
election, If any one who has heretofore
been Jealous partisan turns a somersault
with the agility of circus performer, and
assumes an attitude of hostility, with
fair chance lat least, in his own opinion)
OF gaining or retaining the honors and
emoluments of high official station the
chances are that nobody will consider him
pattern OF virtue, and very general
belief will be very likely to obtain that
"he has an ak to grind" or che has
sharp appetite for the loaves and fishes of
Office" Certainly, even if this estimate
OF him should be a wrong one, all the cir
cumstances of his change of partisanship
and tactics should modestly keep him in
the background, and prevent his at
tempting leadership in his new role with
virtuous platitudes and lofty patriotic pro-
LESSONS upon lips, mingled with scath-
ing denunciations of the party from
which he has fled. But, if known to be
inflated with vanity, or selfshly ambi-
tious OF distinction, or changeable as a
chameleon, or to regard nothing so sue
cessful as success, calculating. his chances
accordingly. hewill fail to make any other
impression upon honest and intelligent
minds, no matter what garb he may as
sumo or what claims to confidence he
may urge, than that he is an interested
witness, and must be ruled out of court
Many instances of this kind are seen in
the ranks of the so-called Liberal Re
publican party"-most liberal toward all
that has been traitorous in the land; most
Liberal toward all that is eminently loyal
The most notable one is found in the per
son of its principal leader, Mr. Horace
Greeley. Prominently identified with the
Repsbilcan party from its organization,
essaying to be its redoubtable champion
against all its adversaries, proudly hold
ing 1t up as the embodiment of the intel
ngence, virtue, and patriotism of the ma
ton, glorylng In its brilliant record, and
cordially sustaining sometimes orieina-
tlng) its ably constructive and preserva-
tive measures, till within few months,
he is now its fierce assailant, doing what
In him lies to insure its disruption and
cover 1t with shame and disgrace. From
euloglzing President Grant for his sterling
qualities, his well-tried patriotism. his
modest bearing, his honest endeavor to
administer the government in furtherance
OF the rights and interests of the whole
people and OF all sections of the country,
without fear or favor, and strictly within
The limits of constitutional authority, and
renomInatinG him for the Presidency as
better qualified in 1872 than in 1868. Mr..
Greeley has turned to blackening his cha.
Iacter as one totally unfit for the station
ne occupies, utterly venal in spirit and
conduct, degraded in companionship.
deficient in understanding, and military
usurper under whose iron hand the sore.
!y-Vlslted South lies crushed and bleed
ing, the prey of remorseless Northern
carpet-baggers, alike defenseless and
despslringl Through his mouthpiece, the
if5t1e, he is filling the air with the vilest
asperslons of those who will not follow
his lead and echo his sentiments; brand
ing the Presidents Administration, with
out qualification, as THIS DAMNABLE AD-
MINIsTRATION'-a charge made in pub
lie speech by prominent Liberal Repub-
Hcan, and conspicuously printed in CAPT
tails In the Tribune, in order to give it en-
phasis.
Now here is a somersault so astound-
ing as to challenge the closest scrutiny.
Is there particle of evidence to show
That IL has been made conscientiously, in
the service of the people, without any
personal self-seeking or hope of supplant
ing the President If so, it remains to
be produced. All the facts bear heavily
IN an opposite direction. Last year, after
proposing the reelection of President
Grant, Mr. Greeley had sudden change
come over ''the spirit of his dream" and.
from what motives or at whose sugges
ton he best knows, was induced to visit
the Southern States, extending his tour to
doubly-rebelllous and thrice-curseG
Texas-Texas, the last to yield to the
Government, the most shameless in its
career, the most detestable in history
He spoke and lectured to the people as
opportunity presented, daubing with un
tempered mortar, complimenting and be
ing complimented. dealing in honeyeG
phrases and gushing with professional
sympathy and goodwill, protesting
against the Withholding of universal am
nesty, shaking hands over 1.-The bloody
chasm" with jefferson Davis and othel
leading rebels, and getting in return
rebel nomination for the next Presi
dency. They took his measure as vair
and credulous man, and instlnctively
saw to what purpose he could be put il