Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-09-13

would have natural tendency to debase
him. But we must not forget that, though
he was NTH them, he was not always
Of them. He refuecd to be a partaker in
their worst iiiiquities; he had none Of
their diabolical hatred for the Constitu-
ton; he did not lend Els lips to their
ribald blasphemies, aud his feet were
never swift in running to shed innocent
blood. Before the great conflict began
his opposition to the designs of the Abo-
litionists against tile Federal and State
Governments, impellcd him to the OPP
posite hercsy Of the secessionists. like
the Roman father, who killed his daugh-
ter to save her from worse fatc, he chose
TO destroy the Government, rather than
see it dishohored and violated by lawless
force. When the war was fngrant, he
provoked the EXTREMIST rage Of his as
sociates by cxerting himself for d peace
which would have left all the people in
possession Of their constitutional liberties
After the close of the contest, he was the
advocate Of all regular and legal, as well
as honest government for all parts of the
country. have a good authority for
saying that he never gave his approval
to any form of kidnapping, or murder,
by military commission. In short, al
though he did join the Abolitionists in
their :" DEVILS Dance" he never learned
to keep step with his partners, and we
all know that when he could not stop it,
he left it, and denounced it with becom-
ing Indignation.
On another point he ought TO have
credit. The friends Of religious freedom
owe him an old debt Of gratitude for the
zeal and ability with which he resisted
the church-burners when banded togeth-
cr III the secret lodges Of the Know
Nothing order. 1t is but reasonable to
believe that his opposition saved the
country from the great danger it was
once in Of being subjugatcd by that in
famous organization.
He has often been accused Of compiled
ty in cheats of one kind or another, but
in every case he has triumphantly refut-
ed the charges. For this, and for other
reasons, conclude that his personal in
tegrity is without stain,
He has many times spoken Of the
Democratic party and its most honored
members in harsh and abusive terms.
These are faults Of manner, and. of tenn
per, which, when mended, are always
pardoned We will not permit our judy
ment to be disturbed BY considerations SO
trihing as this.
] have looked into his past history on
ly to ascertain what he il now and what
he is likely to be in tho future. I am
bound to care nothing for his 9 antece-
dents" except as they furnish the means
of estimating his character think |
have found out with reasonable certainty
how far we may confde in him. de-
youtly believe that. if chosen President,
he will keep his oath, preserve the Con-
stitution inviolate, execute the laws
faithfully, restore the States to their
autonomy, protect individual liberty by
jury trial and habeas corpus, put the
military in proper subordination to the
civil authority, use neither force nor
fraud to carry elections, keep his hands
clean from corrupting gifts, set bis face
like a flint against all MANNER Of fnan-
cial dishonesty, purify the Administrn-
ton of Justice as much as ii him lies,
maintain the public credit by prompt
discharge Of all just obligations, econo-
mizo tie revenue and Tighten ia xation,
give to capital the right which belongs
to it, and at the same time see that labor
is not robbed Of its earnings. lie will
certainly hold his power Of appointment
as public trust, and not as II part Of
bis personal possession to be uecd for the
support of his family, or to encourage
the private lberality ofhs friends. He
will, so far as he can without transgres-
sing the limits Of Ills legal authority, re-
lievc the Southern States from the gangs
that arc now preying upon their vitals in
open partnership with the present Ad-
| think he will do all this and my
faith is founded ON the testimony Of his
friends ard enemies, on the known facts
Of his history, and on the moral influence
which the Democracy will necessarily
exert upon bis conduct The errors of
his past lifo were caused by certain evil
communications from which he has clean
He heads great revolt against
in high places, and do not
believe be will go back upon us and be
guilty of the same wickedness himself.
The contrast between the two candi-
lates being so very strong, no fair mind
ed Democrat can doubt what he ought |
10 do. Yet, the reluctance which many I
If us feel to vote for either Of them is
lard to overcome. did, and do, most
heartily sympatbizc with that class which
received Mr.. Greeley's nomination in |
sorrow. | am sure this feeling proceed
ID from no unworthy passion or preiu-
lice, but was the natural result Of sober
,hought on the condition Of the country
md the fitness Of the things pertaining
hereto
In our view the controysrSy between
he parties was not all about men, and
not wholly on questions of mere admin
stration. The Liberal Republicans and
iome Democrats think that We owe all
,ur suffcrings to the corruption or inca
,acity Of General Grant and the rings
hat surround him. But the prime cause
les further back and deeper down in |
wrongs for which the triumph of Mr. |
Greeley with all his reforms offers no
atoncment and only partial I
emedy.
In ENGLAND. after every civil eano,no- |