The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-18
OPINION Is NOW FREE.

business to ruin, his character to question,
his name to obloquy and his person and
life to danger. While there was South,
with policy to defend, and q policy to
advocate, gave the best zeal of my youth
and best energies of my manhood to their
support. But seven years ago, when all
was wrecked that we had sought to se-
cure, when the States lost their autonomy
forever, and for the best, and when the
consolidated Union became the common
country of American citizens of every ma.
tivity, abandoned the tenets of sectional
politics, and embraced with heart and mind
the principles of the national creed. L re-
membered that the Saviour of mankind,
born in subjugated country. lent the
beautiful example of his Walk and CONVEX.
sation in favor of obedience to the laws
and Loyalty rendering unto Caesar the things
that were Caesars. IN.
Those Conservatives who are sincere in
their support of Horace Greeley, have
now, at last, followed my example and
those who are not sincere, are henceforth
forever estopped from the TRADE, clamor
and vilifcation in which it has been their
habit to indulge against national men.
am proud that | have been faithful to that
national creed which l embraced in the
times that tried mems souls, and that
have adhered to it undismayed through
seven years of reproach, msconstruction,
foul imputation and cruel opprobrium.
/ remember that was told in May,
1865, by distinguished Confederate Gen.
eral, that it would cost me the good will
of my State, to espouse national politics,
and to counsel the people to loyalty and
reconciliation. l acknowledged the truth
of the friendly warning, but / accepted the
duty and its penalty. | stand here now,
to give assurance, in the light of my own
experience and triumph, that even in the
capricious evolutions of politics, the right
will surely prevail and the truth conuuor,
in the long run.
There was dark period of brutal ty-
ranny in Roman history, when suicide
came to be esteemed patriotic duty
There was Roman statesman whose for
tunes doomed him to this self sacrifice;
and it is related of the noble matron who
was his wife, that unwilling to survive him,
and as means of nerving him to the act,
she surprised him by burying poinard in
her own bosom, declaring to him, in words
of dying heroism, Husband, it gives no
PAIN And SO let me assure those Con-
servatives who have in their hearts ap,
proved my course, but have not dared to
initiate or defend it, that elf-sacrifce in
just cause carries with it a solace that
browns all pain. l do assure them that
1T will hurt no honest man to be Repub-
lican. An approving conscience supports
him in the times of trial, and the example
of the good and patriotic comes in a few
years-in not more than seUen years-to
vindicate and commend him.
DEMOCRACY NOW sHELvED--ALL PARTIES
DO HOMAGE TO REPUBLICANIsM.
1t is most gratifying fact, that all par
ties at the South and in the Union, are
agreed to support Republicans as their
Presidential Candidates. And It is sic.
nifcant fact that the Convention of trad
ing politicians who met at Cincinnati,
found it necessary in their nomination to
propitiate the national sentiment of the
country at the expense Of the sectional,
by shelving Democracy and invoking Re.
publicanism to their aid. 1t is, also, a
long stride towards universal loyalty in the
South. for our Conservatives to have &C.
cepted so extreme Radical as Mr.. Greeley
as their candidate. The significance Of
these facts is not Effected by the questions,
whether the Cincinnati Cony ention was
composed of disnterested men, whether
its nomination was honestly eff cted and
whether the acceptance of it by tie South.
ern Conservatives be sincere.
While it is true that our Virginia Con.
servatives are at last on a national plat.
form, | deny that their candidate is worthy
of trust, that he was honestly nominated,
and that the leaders of them are honestly
supporting him.
COMPOSITION OF THE CINCINNATI coNyEN.
The country is told that the Cincinnati
Convention was spontaneous assembly
OF patriotic men drawn together by honest
motives, for honest public purposes. But
Mr.. Franklin Stearns who was with them
one day, and who went to Cincinnati with
that idea, came away with different one
He broke off from them in disgust, com.
planning that it was mere convention of
KS that is to say, conclave of ex-ofiice-
holders and their friends. And this was
indeed the real fact of the case.
MR.. GREELEY GOT THE NOMINATION BY PIPE
.r.. LAYING.
Nor was the nomination of Mr.. Greeley
any more spontaneous than the gathering
Of the convention itself 1t was effected
IN the New York fashion, by diligent pipe.
laying long time in advance, and by
resort to all the approved tactics of the
New York politician. It,was secured by
busy intrigue and by open and secret pur.
,hase. The newspaper fraternity of the
country know very well that nearly year
lgo, the plan was adopted of buying up |
he Republican press of the country in the
interests of Mr.. Greeley, and in a very
'rtful way. Each Republican editor was
and his disposition sounded
IN the subject of second term for Gen.
jrant If he was found to be unfavora-
lie to Grant, an advertisement of the
Tribune newspaper was offered, to be paid
or at any price the editor might choose
ask. If found, on the contrary to be
avorable to General Grant, the editor got
70 advertisement and no pay.
Before Congress met last Fall, still
older programme was arranged. AT,
schees of the Tribune did not hesitate 70