New-York tribune., 1872-05-27
Mr.. GREELEYs SOUTHERN RECORD.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: Il is noticeable fact that in all the responses
from the South whether public or private, ratifyins
the Cincinnati nomination, frank mention is made
Of Mr. Greeeys answering and successful hostility
to Slavery. and it is quite in keeping with the
Southern character that the remembered battles
with their old opponent have left no malignant
sense of injury, but only served to quicken their
appreciation of his courage and honesty. Honest
Horace is, in fact, the favorite soubriquet now
chosen for him by his former enemies
| think Mr. Greeley deserves something better.
man may be honest, as was Abraham Lincoln, who
is led or driven by the requirements Of his times
but who never leads them Honesty in public life
implies no more than unreasoning dull obedience
to existing laws Gen. Grant was doubtless as honest
n purpose in 1850, when he was not only pro-Slav-
cry man but Shareholder, as in 1870, when he per-
sisted in denying the rights of freemen to his old
compatrtots the Shareholders. Mr.. Greeley's career
has been shaped by obedience to principle above
any law of expediency. His "whims and Oddities
his dgressons from conventional rules, were the re-
suit of an integrity to simple, sheer justice. lie
fought Slavery when to be an Abclitionist waa
political social, and, had almost said, religious
damnation. There was time when even to read
THE TRIBUNE in the South was to run the risk OF
loss both of property and life, and, in the tres
Middle States to be written down as fanatic, free
lover and atheist. The cause Of The TRIBUNE
conquered at last and while the eyes OF the mass Of
the people were late and slowly opening to the
iniauities of Slavery (the snake being not only
scotched but killed. Mr. Greeley left that dead evil
to bury itself, and quietly turned to redress the
wrongs Of the shareholders.
Ewes that were first to open to the oppression Of
the black man were naturally the keenest to per-
ceiye the oppression of the white. Not that he
loved the slave or his master less but justice moro
Just here is the point where narrow minded men
fail to comprehend his course and begin to chatter
of whims 1t is incomprehensible to them bow the
man who was ready to take the Southern slave
owner by the throat in defense OF the helpless
negro is ready now to make war with his own Gov
ernment in defense of the slaye-owner. There IS
something in this truth that is higher than consist
ency in this adherence to the innate principle OF
freedom regardless whether the person affected by
il be Jefferson Davis his slave, that has touched
the quick appreciation and generous natures OF the
better class of Southerners. The negroes know
assuredly where to find their lifelong friend, and
the intelligent whites keen enough to remember
that while the recommendation for general amnesty
came from the Administration only after the
reelection of Grant became exceedingly doubtful,
Mr. Greeley has not ceased to urge 1T
since the close of the war. He has
pressed upon the consideration Of the North
wise and true system of treatment of the South
since the war as no other Republican has dared to
do; by speech and writing has kept constantly the
fact before the people that the object of every true
lover of his country to restore that country TO
its integrity not by crushing part of it, or surren-
dernQ il either to the dominion of carpet-baggers
Ku-Klux Klans, or U. S. troops, but by
giving back the reins INTO the hands OF those
who bv intelligence and education, were best fitted
20 hold them How suicidal TO permanent peace ths
nolicy of the Government with the South has been
nnlv those know who lived within Its borders IN tne
Last eight years. The test oaths proposed at
the first were such az no Rebel of honor or even
decent probity could take without perjury. Such
men did not then and hayo not yet taken tnem,
while men of laxer principles and not half the desire
FOR permanent reorganization were received pack az
once into full favor of the Government. Against
sncb fatal errors these Mr. Greeley has protestee
from the day that Lee surrendered. The war being
over was dead TO him with Slavery, and LETT no
traces in his actions of the bitterness and hostility
which have marred the policy OF too many North
erners. 49,. - 7.
their personal preudices or beliefs, are quick To APP
preciate the sterling worth to themselves or 10 the
world of any great man among them since the
openng of the present contest, there has come from
friend and foe from one end of the nation to the
ment of Horace Greeleys integrity. his high, unob-
scured insight into truth his bold dealing with pln-
ciples his broad humanity; while on the olher
are heard John Thomas, and weak carcatuilsJ or
two making the most Of ancient jokes concerning
white hat and ruta-bagas and the feeble cackio Oh
lau ghter Of their followers d.
Philadelphia. Pa. May %, 1872.
FOREIGN HONORS EASY.
10 fbe Fdif0r o The Tribune.