Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-08-08
WHOLE NO. 1850

should refuse to sanction the re-elec-
tion Of the president and put your
trust in Horace Greeley. ought to
add that with him will be associated
Gratz Brown, whom | have known
for years as a most determined aboll-
ZIONIST. The two together will carry
into the national government an un-
swerving devotion to your rights, not
to be disturbed by partisan dictation
OF a sectional president.
Besides all this which may fifty
guide you in determining between the
two candidates, it is my dnty to re-
mind you that as citizens of the Uui-
ted States, and part Of the country,
your welfare is indissolubly connected
with that ofthe whole country. When
all are prosperous you will be gamers.
Therefore, while justly careful Of your
own rights, you cannot be indifferent
to the blessings Of good government.
1t is for you to consider whether the
time has not come for something bet
ter than the present rule, and whether
a character like Horace Greeley does
not give stronger assurance OF good
government than can be found in the
insulter of the colored race, already
famous from the rings about him and
his plain inaptitude for civil life The
supporters Of Gen. Grant compel us to
observe his offenses and shortcomings.
The comparison they challenge can
not be declined. 1t will be for others
in the present canvass to hold it be
fore the people.
Speaking now for myself | have to
say that my vote will be given to Mr..
Greeley; but in giving it | do not 90
into the democratic party, nor am |
any the less republican. On the
contrary, ! am 50 much q Republican
that | cannot support a candidate
whose conduct in civil life shows an
incapacity to appreciate republican
principles, and whose administration
is marked by acts Of delinquency, es-
pecially toward the colored race, BY
the side of which the allegations on
the impeachment Of Andrew Johnson
appear technical and trivial. UnqueS-
tionabIy, President Grant deserves
impeachment for high crimes and mis-
demeanors rather than a denomination;
and on the trial it would have been
enough to exhibit his seizure Of the
war power and his indignity to the
black republic, with its population of
9O0,0O0, in violation Of the constitu-
ton and international law. And here
a contrast arises between him and Mr..
Lincoln. The latter, in his first an
nual message, recommended the re-
cognition Of what he called the in
and sovereignty of Hayti,
but it is at these that President Grant
has struck. One Of Abraham Lin
coins first acts was to put the black
republic on an equality with other
powers, one Of President Grants acts
is to degrade it.
| am so much of a republican that |
wish to see in the presidential chair a
lifetime abolitionist. | wish a presi-
dent sincerely devoted to civil service
reform, beginning with the one term
principle which President Grant once
accepted but now disowns, [ also
wish a president who sets the example
of industry and unselfsh dedication to
the public good, end wish to see
president through whom we may eX-
pect peace and harmony, instead of
discord Strangely President Grant
seems to delight in strife. If he finds
no enemy he falls upon his friends, as
when he struck at the black republic,
insulted Prussia in his annual message,
offended both France and Germany,
and when in his personal relations he
quarreled generally.
My own personal experience teaches
how futile is the charge that because
Horace Greeley receives democratic
votes, therefore he becomes demo-
crat, or lapses under democratic CON
troll. | was first chosen to the Senate
by coalition of free soilers and demo
Gratis. Democratic votes hel ped make
me senator from Massachusetts,, as
they also helped make my excellent
friend, Mr.. Chase, senator from Ohio
and will help make Horace Greeley
president but neither Mr.. Chase nor
myself was on this account less faith
ful as a freesoiler and answering for
myself, | know that never became
democrat, or lapsed under democratic
control. do not doubt Horace Gree
ley will be equally consistent. The
charge to the contrary, so vehemently
seems worthy of the charac-
ter of those who make it, except that
many repeat it by rote.
There is a common saying, "princi-
Piles not men,, and on this ground an
appeal is made for President Grant,
feeling that in any personal compari-
son with Horace Greeley, he must fail.
But better saying is principles and
men. am for the principles of the
party, in contradiction to
Grantism; and l am for the man who
truly represents them. By these
principles / shall stand; for them |
shall labor, and in their triumphs |
shall always rejoice. If any valued
friend separates from me now it will
be because he places men higher than
principles. Early in public life | de
clared my little heed for party, and my
indifference to the name by which |
am called and now l confress my