The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-07-19

would be likely to object to. 1t asserts
First-Equal and exact justice, civil re-
ligious and political, to all men.
, Sccond-The Union of the States.
Third-Declares the rebellion suppress
ed seven years ago, and demands universal
amnesty.
Fourth-Local selfgoyernment instead
of centralized power, the supremacy of the
civil over military personal free
dom protected by the writ of hnJeas corpus
Fifth-Civil Service Reform.
Sixth -Diminutiou of taxes and tariff
left to the people.
Seventh-The sacred maintenance OF
public credit.
Eighth-Specic payments.
Ninth-Gratitude and compensation to
soldiers and sailors for past services.
Tenth-No grants of public lands to
corporations.
eign nations
1t does not contain single provision
to which l have the slightest objection.
In my judgment it is Jcffersonian through
out; certainly it is not Hamiltonian. II
embraces the cardinal principles contended
| for by the sires of the revolution. 1t is an
tagonistic in its most essential features to
the principles and practice of the present
Federal Administration, and, if faithfully
/ carried out, will unquestionably restore the
country to its former prosperity and patri-
otto fellowship. "But how" say these
gentlemen, can you carry into effect the
principles of this platform through such a
man as Horace Greeley, man who has
been the life long enemy Of Southern insti-
tutions?" Upon the same rule the revolu-
tionary Congress should have hesitated to
place George Washington in command OF
the continental army. He had previously
perilcd his life in defence of the English
flag. 1t requires but very little kuewledge
of cause and effect to plainly perceive that
the same conscientious sense of right which
nervcd the arm Of Washington at Brad
docks defeat inspired and sustained his
soul in the hour of prayer at Valley Forge
1t is weak argument to say that be-
cause Mr.. Greeley was in favor of the abol-
ition of slavery, that therefore he is not to
be trusted 10 carry out the principles Of
the Cincinnati platform. On the contrary
his open and avowed opposition to slavery
and his integrity to that cause may well
be regarded as trustworthy guarantee OF
| Z
of fanaticism, so often urged against him
were true, would thousand times rather
trust an honest fanatic than knavish po-
litical trickster, whose base, insidious n.y.
pocrisy might delude me into belief that
he concurred with me in opinion, while in
truth he was deceiving and basely using
me for his own selfish purposes. 1t never
has been denied that Mr.. Greeley is kind
hearted, generous, honest man.
Never on earth did country stand more
in need of these very qualities. From one
end of the land to the other charges of stu.
pendous fraud are everywhere rife. In
several of the States even the judicial er-
mine is not free from imputation. The Sc
curity which heightened Government
and purely administered law establish in
the minds of men exist no longer. The
people have lost confidence For these
evils there is but one remedy-that remedy
an honest man. The mere trickery and
continuance of political machinery will
not reach the malady. Itneeds a thought
full, calm, inflexible, honest mana mar
whose soul, identified with the true honor
justice, glory and greatness of his country
will lift him far above the emoluments o.
office, the vanity of adulation, and the pal
try perluisites of praise or presents. HI
must be above even the suspicion of sucl
meanness.
There are other considerations outside o
Mr.. Greeley which ought to have weigh
with the Convention. 1t should not bt
forgotten that the Democratic party en-
couraged the meeting of the Liber
al Republicans at Cincinnati. In the
Democratic press, and upon all available
occasions, the leading Democrats of thu
country lauded the patriotism and virtue
which induced the men composing tina
assemblage to come forward and endeavo
to rescue their struggling country from thu
grippe of an avaricious faction, who, regard
less of the principles of the Constitution
and the claims of humanity, were ever,
hour adding to the burthens of taxation
and the miseries of the people. 1t is tru
there was no special compact, but, in view
of all the circumstances, can the Dem
ocratic party, with honor, go back upol
the men who had reasonable ground TO
believing that at the proper time, the Demo
Gratis would stand at their back.
Ought the Democratic party, or any por
ton of it, because Charles Francis Adam
was not the choice of the Cincinnati Con
vention, give the cold shoulder to Horace
Greeley? Mr.. Greeley was certainly no
my favorite. had never thought of hin
in connection with the Presidential office
but MS soon as heard the announcement
l felt, as did General Leslie Coombs, o
Kentucky, the intimate friend of Herr.
Clay, that not only was it good nomina
ton, but that it was " Inspiration" 1 re
spectfully commend to the consideration
of the Convention the letter of Genera
Coombs, in which he enthusiastically say
of Mr.. Greeley
1--WE shall have repetition of the storm
of 1910, which l. as you may remember
helped to raise, and, old as am, l will
blow blast or two for the wonderful print
; er boy-the second Franklin"
And Coombs is right. Greeley is Sc
cond Franklin, and God has given him t.
the country at the very time the countr.
most needs him. He may not have to say
as did his immortal predecessor, the phi
losopher printer of the revolution, 9Th
sun of liberty has set; light up the candle
of economy and industry" but he will
have an opportunity, while striking off TIL
letters which cunning. cruel despotisn
has forged for millions of his unfortunat
countrymen, to awaken by his great ant
good example cheerful spirit of hope ant
ri; o1, will apol,lo tho