The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1872-08-23
GOLDEN WORDS.
mr. Greeley Breaks Ills Political
silence nj the Portland Rcccp-
lion.
A Manly, straightforward
Statement of His Aims
and Intentions.

(frsD impartial universal liberty (sec
ondD the unity and greatness of our com
mon country, (third) and by no mean.
least, when the former end was attained,
for the early and hearty reconciliation Of
peace among our countrymen. lie recog.
nized the propriety Of candidate for
the Presidency making no speeches. "yet
there is truth 10 he uttered in behalf Of
those who have placed me before the
American people in my present attitude,
which docs them such honor that claim
the privilege of stating it here. Now
this is that truth: No person has
ever yet made fact that he proposed to
support or actually did support my nom
nation, whether at Cincinnati, Balti-
more, or in the action which resulted in
sending the delegates to either conven-
ton, basis to n claim for office at my
hand, either for himself or any one else.
Nor has any one suggested to me that |
might strengthen myself asa candidate
by promising to appoint any important
office whatever. In many instances |
am certain some Of the smaller fry poll
ticians have, since my double nomina-
ton, limited to me by letter that | might
increase my chances by promising post
Office of some such place to my volunteer
correspondents respectively. have not
usually responded to these overtures; but
| now give general notice that, should |
be elected, will consider the claims of
these untimely aspirants after those of
more modest persons shall have been
fully satisfied. Applause. In two or
three instances | have been asked to say
whether would no, if elected confine my
to Republicans. ] answer
these by pointing to that plank of the
Cincinnati platform wherein all who con-
cur in the principles therein set forth are
cordially invited to participate in their
establishment and vindication. Inever
heard of man who invited his neigh
bors to raise house, and proceeded to
kick them out of ii soon as the roof was
over his head. For my own part, | rec
ognize every honest man who approves
and adheres to the Cincinnati platform
as my political brother, and as such fully
to my confidence and friendly
regards.
.znaeother ps;at, word Those
adverse to me ask what pledges / have
given to those lately hostile to the Union,
to secure their favor and support. an
'wer-No man or woman in all the
South ever asked of me, whether direct
y or through another, any other pledge
hat is given through my acts and words.
From the hour of Lees surrender down .
o this moment, no Southern man ever .
tinted to me the expectation, hope, or
wish that the rebel debt, whether Confed-
rate or State, should be assumed or paid
~ the Union. No Sau.lern man who
ould be elected to the Legislature or
made colonel of militia regiment ever !
uggested the pensioning of the rebel sol
iers or any Of them, even as n remote
All who nominated me were
erfectly aware that | had upheld and :
istified the Federal legislation to repress
he kuklux conspiracy outrage, though
had long ago insisted as strenuously as
now do that complete amnesty, genuine
blivion of the bloody and hateful past,
ould do more for the suppression and 7
tier extinction of such outrages than ,
i the force-bills, suspension of haJeas J
'rpus, ever devised by men. Wrong :,
nd crime must be suppressed and pun .
he'd, but far wiser and nobler is the leg I
lative policy by which they are pre-
ented.
From those who support me in the
Outh have but one demand: Justice; v
ut one desire; reconciliation. They
ish to be heartily reunited and at peace /
it'll the North'on any terms which do :
1t involve the surrender of their man
'od. They cherished the joyful hope :,
lat they will be held by any Federal =
Ithority as citizens, not culprits, so
ng as they obey and uphold every law
'nsistent with equality of right. They
sire a rule which, alike for white and A
ack, shall encourage industry and ii
rift, and Gin which | fully concur that 7
tween the 9th of November and the a,
h of March next, quite number of -
overnors and other dignitaries who, in I
e absurd name Of Republicanism and i
yalty, have for years been piling debts
id taxes upon their war-wasted States,
i'll follow the wholesome example of
ullock, Of Georgia, and seek the shades
private life; and the darker those
AIDES the better for mankind. The
'pe that my election may hasten the
uch-desired hegira of the thieving car
't-baggers has reconciled to the necessity 4
supporting me many who would 9th
wise have hesitated and probably re-
sed. Al
Fellow-cilizens, the deposed and par.
lily exiled Tammany ring has stolen
out thirty million from the city of
ow York. That most gigantic robbery n
rled its contriyers and abettols from
lendor to impotency and imfamy. But
e theiving carpet-baggers have stolen
least three times that amount-stolen
from those already impoverished and Y