The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-15
Horace Greeley in Portland.
A Gushing Candidate for President.

A Gushing Candidate for President.
An IngcniousIy Indefinite Declaration Of
His Policy-He Feels Certain of His
Election. a...
The leaders of the Democratic party in Poat-
land have been looking forward for some days
to the expected honor of welcoming to this city
Hon. Horace Greeley, and quite elaborate prep
arations had been made for his reception, in
the way of the formation of Committees, the
hiring of bands, purchase of gunpowder, sc.
sc. The readers of newspapers are aware that
he has been making tour of New Hampshire,
visiting his relatives and former companions.
He remained on Tuesday night at the Alpine
House, and left that place for Portland by the
Grand Trunk road, accompanied by several
gentlemen, most of whom were attaches of the
New York press, detailed to observe and chron-
cle the slightest movement of the distinguish
ed man. The train CHANGED to be on time yes
terday and the great crowd that had gathered
around the station were spared the annoyance
of waiting for the promised pleasure. As soon
as the train appeared in sight salute was fred
from the depot grounds. Mr.. Greeley alighted
from the car and was conducted to the Office of
Mr. Porteous, where he was welcomed to Port
| land in an informal way by Col. L. D. M.
| Sweat Mr. Greeley merely thanked the Colo
| mel for his welcome, and was then introduced
| to the other members of the Committee and
| several other gentlemen who had gained access
for the purpose of becoming acquainted with
the philosopher. Mr.. Greeley wore light
colored, high-crowned, soft felt hat black al
pacca sack-coat, and baggy black trowsers, and
white vest. After short Interchange of cour-
tesies, he was escorted to an open barouehe
| which was in waiting, while the Committee
and number of admirers of Mr.. Greeley filled
other carriages. Preceded by O'Connor's Band
of Boston, the procession moved up India
street and through Congress to City Hail. A
very large concourse filled the streets, but there
was not so much enthusiasm exhibited as was
anticipated. 1t was quite modest and order
ly congregation. In the meantime the Haver
hill Cornet Band was stationed in front of the
Hall and attracted many people by their music.
| City Hall was fnll when Mr. Greeley and the
| Committee, accompanied by c. P. Kimball, as
| cended the platform, and the ex-editOr of the
| Tribune was welcomed with cheers. OConnor's
Band was in the gallery and after they had
given a couple of select pieces, Col. Sweat in
troduced Mr. Greeley in brief but very hand
some address. Mr.. Greeley said
| Ladies' and Gentlemen: is certainly true
that throughout the course of my life, asfar as L
| have been connected with public affairs, have
| struggled with such capacity as God has given
| me, for 1st impartial and universal liberty;
| 3D. for the unity and greatness OF our common
| country; Sd, and by no means least, early and
| hearty reconciliation and peace among our
| countrymen. When the two first are attained,
| though the struggle for the latter may be long,
the result cannot be doubtful l apprehend
| that no personal considerations have drawn
| this assembly here, but other and higher con-
| siderations have collected you around me-
1t is part of the unwritten law of our coun-
| try that candidate for President may not
make speeches in vindication and commenda-
| ton of the principles whereupon he is support
ed, the measures which his election is intended
| to promote, though a candidate for Vice Pres
| ident is under no such inhibition. 1 not mere
| ly acquiese in this restriction; L recognize and
| approve its propriety. The temptation to mis-
| report and misrepresent candidate Tor the
higher post is so great the means OF clrculat-
| ing such perversions among people who never
see a word of their REPUTATION, are SO vast, that
a candidate has no moral right to subject his
friends to the perils he must brave, if not in
| vite, by taking part in the canvass.
Yet there is truth to be uttered in behalf
of those who have placed me before the Amer
lean people in my present attitude, which does
them such honor that claim the privilege of
stating it here and now. This is that truth:
No person has ever yet made the fact that he
protested to support or actually did support my
nomination, whether at Cincinnati, at Balti-
more, or in the action which resulted in sending
delegates to either convention the basis to a
| claim for Office at my hands. No one who
who favored my nomination before either con-
vention, has sought Office at my hands, either
for himself or any one else nor has any one
suggested to me that might strengthen my
self as candidate by promising to appoint any
one to any important office whatever.
In very few instances, less than dozen, L
am sure, certain of the smaller fry of politicians
have since my double nomination limited to me
by letter, that might increase my chances OF
election by promising post-otfice or some suci
place to my volunteer correspondents respect
| lively. have not usually responded to these
overtures but now give a general notice that
should be elected / will consider the claims
of these untiring aspirants after those of the
more modest and reticent shall have been fully
satisfied. (Applause.)
In two or three instances have been asked
to say whether L would or would not, if elect.
ed, confine my appointments to Republicans
answer these by pointing to that plank of the
| Cincinnati platform wherein all who concur il
the principles therein set forth, are cordial,
invited to participate in their establishment
and vindication. L never yet heard of q mar
who wanted his neighbors to help him raise
house and proceed to kick them out of it 81
soon as the roof was fairly over his head. Flo
my own part, L recognize every honest maj
who approves and adheres to the Cincinnati
platform as my political brother, and as sucl
fully entitled to my confidence and friendly re
gard. -
One other point demands q word. Thos
adverse to me- ask what pledges have given
those lately hostile to the Union, to secure the
favor and support. L answer, no man or We
man in all the South ever asked of me, whethe
7 directly or through another, any other pledg
than is given in all my acts and words from til
hour of Lees surrender down to this moment
q No Southern man ever limited to me an expe'
= tation. hope or wish that the rebel debt, whetl
c er Confederate or State, should be assumed {
: paid by the Union. And no Southern man VII
!, could be elected to Legislature or made colon
!, of militia regiment ever suggested tue pei
}. sioning of rebel soldiers or any of them, eve
= as a remote possibility. All who nominate
n me were perfectly aware that upheld and Just
X fled Federal legislation to rcpress Ku Klux col
rs spiraey and outrage, though l had long ago, il
r. sisted, as strenqously as now do, that coI
W plete amnesty and a genuine oblivion of tt
e bloody, hateful past would do more for the SUI
l. preston and utter extinction of such 0utrag
l. than all the force bills and suspension of habe
lie corpus ever devised by man. Wrong and erin
1t must be suppressed and punished; but Fl
wiser and nobler is the legislation, the poll,
t. by which they are prevented.
m From those who support me in the South
at have heard but one demand-iustce; one d
J. sire-reconeliation. They wish to be hearti
)" reunited and at peace with the North, on al
E. terms which do not involve q surrender of the
e. manhood. They ask that they shall be regar
u ed and treated by the Federal authority as CT
is zens, not culprits, so long as they obey and u
d, hold every law consistent with equity and rigl
m They desire o rule which, alike for white a
d black, shall encourage industry and thrift a
~ discourage rpacity and yilIainy, They eh
ID rish joyful hope, in which fully concur, tn
to between the fifth of November and the toul
il. Of March next, quite a number of the Gov
OF nors and other digntaries, who, In the abps
TO names of Republeanism and loyalty have
years been piiing debts and taxes upon tn
is war-wastedStates,w will follow the wholesome
ee- ample of Bullock of Georgia, and seek
TO shades of private life-the darker and den
in those shades, the better for themselves and
ar mankind And the hope that my election N