The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-10-02
THE LIBERAL DEMOCRACY.
Enthusiastic Meeting ut New RO-
chelle Yesterday.
Speech BY y. 8. COx-A Panegyric Of Gree
ley and Plea for Purity
and Reform.


Han, and addresses were delivered by number Of
speakers and among the rest by Hon. 8. 8. Cox. W.
A. Niles, Judge Cochrane and Thomas r. Fisher.
The meeting having been called to order,
Mr.. Cox discussed the necessity OF real and
not an 0stentatiOus reform, and after an analysis
compelled the alliance Of the best heart and In
telect OF the country to rescue the government
rarely BEEN on his 70 record ao"pb
consisted OF twelve years OF vglant service in
the federal Legislature. Where he had been chal-
lenged by his accomplished competitor, Mr.. Tre-
main, the record would show an unusual, almost
lucky and prophetic vote and speech on almost
every topic, financial and constitutional. Almost
the fret question he had to meet In Congress-
when inexperienced and young, was the question
OF largesses and subsidies TO railroads and ships
Perhaps he had been unwise; but he was educated
TO believe that the least government consistent
with security was the best, and that matters Of
be better transacted ir disconnected with govern
ment. Hence he had always-even against the
pressure OF friends relatives and honest believers
In government aid to private corporations and per-
sOns-voted against such schemes. While he was
loath to believe what is said OF our leading public
cestry and education" Ito quote Mr.. Ire.
mainl led. him TO distrust all combinations
Gr oa private N,a ar greed ma o. the public
especially the plausible railroad schemes with gov
ernment lands and bonds to aid them, would be-
lenged abused, almost cursed for his adherence to
one rule Of public conduct, fixed in the democratic
CTeeu, 10 nelp no one class or corporation, now
ever plausible the device, when il was at the ex-
pense 81 the public During the war he had sus.
tanned the government. Whatever others might
say his record on all the main points was con-
slstent. From the time he denounced secession, in
February, 1851, when his competitor was otherwise
until the extraordinary session in July, 1851, when
he uttered the eulogy on Judge Douglas and until
1885, when he voted to censure the sentiment
OF an Ohio member favoring secessl0n-in all
emergencies. whether when he carried his joint
resolution for exchange or prisoners or when he
gave his heartlest support to Generals Mcclellan
and Grant by vote and voice, he had endeavnred
always to lean on the side Of the government and
It's unity. He had done so. No partisan advocate
could rob him Of his patriotic record.
10 be sure he was bound, as member OF the
constitutional opposition TO oppose the excuses
ofpower. Power tended to aggrandize ITSELF In
war times, especially this tendency was apparent
milton % personal and public freedODA especially in
states where war was not fagran4 against the
abuses or the administration.
Along with Winter Davis and Others he had en-
deav0red to protest against the eclipse OF public
throtilea two newspapers for night in The CITY Of
New York, he offered this resolution. II bears date
May 20. 1864 and wei be found in No. 65 OF the GLOBE
page 2,a0l:-
EsSyeS That s nEss seizure y mil
sSS
s w said g an ,ss on
Fights '''"' y p'''e '''''S '"' p'''"'e
ibis resolution vas taDieu with 1nSOl0nce and
ignorance. The pubic mind was ca0us 10 such
exhibitions OF personal malice In the name OF
loyalty against free press. One reason why lie
tMr. COx) had been SO Hospitality received in the
great city OF refuge, which he now represented In
Congress-, was that he was ever wakefu 10 the in
terests OF freednm-commercia personal and con-
stitutional Let not those who run away from the
discharge OF duty call him in question.
1t was objected TO him that he did not vote for
the amendment abOllshing slavery. Wen, as Mr..
Selward testified in his Auburn speech in 1858, he
utr Cox carried the amendment II he did not
vote for II. He secured the twothirds Why he
did not vote for 1t was owing to the inOpportune
time OF its presentation. II was presented at the
very hour that Hunter, Campbell and Stephens met
Lincoln and Seward at General Grants head
quarters 10 treat for peace and union; and as
slavery was already killed by the ballot he felt
more concern for the stopping OF blood-sheddlng
than for the mere empty abstract ceremonial OF
burying the dead corpse OF slavery. That amend
ment at that juncture was, as lie feared, an i'm.
pediment to peace and union.
since the War he had been first and foremost for
amnesty. He had introduced resolutions and bills.
His bills were general, He pleaded for grace without
grudRipQ,' oblivion without memories and amnesty
without exception. He first IN the field OF gen.
crosby and forgiveness Horace Greeley was not
laggard. He mr. COSl had quoted In his speeches
this remarkable statement from Mr.. Greeey's book.
The conclusion from the statement ia irrefrag0ble.
Mr. Greeley, In the twenty-sccOnd chapter, page
so, records as part or the great conflict thesc
figures and facts