Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-08-19
GKEELEY,s SPEECH AT PORTLAHr

The st. Louis Republican asserts that
Mr. Greeley has made the very best
speech of the campaign. His plain,
simple, straightforward address at Port
land, Maine, on Wednesday, is by all
odds the most powerful piece Of elo-
quence that the Presidential canvass
has yet produced; and in saying this we
do not forget the admirable philosophi-
cal speech of Schurz, the mastery ar
raignment of the administration by
Sumner, and the temperate and effective
speeches Of Trumbuu. 1t is addressed
10 the heart Of the people, and it goes
straight to the mark. 1t answers in a
few short, clear and explicit sentences
all the accusations Of the administration
press against him Of having bartered a
promise of offices for his nomination;
Of having sold his freedom of action
and appointment 10 secure the support
of the Democracy; Of being favorable
to the national assumption of the Con-
federste debt, and the pensioning Of
Confederate soldiers; and in doing this
he silences two-thirds of the arguments
of his opponents. Whether Mr.. Greeley,
IF elected, would appoint Democrats or
Republicans 10 office, and if both, to
which he would give preference, is a
matter that has caused some speculation
and provoked good deal Of gratuitous
accusation. Mr.. Greeley disposes of it
in a frank, manly manner that does
honor to his heart. "For my own part
/ recognize every honest man who ap-
proves and adheres to the Cincinnati
platform as my political brother, and as
such, fully entitled to my confidence
and regard"-are the noble and explicit
words in which he promises his personal
and official recognition to all worthy
men, Democrats and Republicans, who /
support him and the cause he represents. /
1t has been charged that the white peo- /
pie Of the South support him in the hope 1
that his election will afford them an op- |
portunity TO reassert the vanquished |
ideas Of the war, undo the constitutional
amendments, and acquire an oppressive |
supremacy over the negroes; but he does
himself and the Southern people the /
Justice Of proving that they are support /
ing him from honest and most patriotic
motives. He says:
From those who support me III the 4
South have heard but one demand
justice; but one desire-recOnciliatiOn /
They wish to be heartily reunited and /
at peace with the North on any terms /
which do not involve the surrender Of
their manhood. They cherish joyful l
hope that the Federal authority will re-
gard them as citizens, and not as cul- 1
prits, so long as they obey and uphold /
every law consistent with equality OF
right.
This is the true explanation Of that
hearty and enthusiastic espousal which /
Mr.. Greeley has met with in the South,
and it is only proper that Mr.. Greeley
himself should make it. On the carpet
baggers he has no mercy; the only harsh
words in his whole speech are applied to
them. If the administration party want
TO espouse their cause, and resent Mr..
Greeley's denunciation OF them, lei them
do so. The Northern people have come
to have one opinion OF these villains,
and they are nearly prepared to have
the same opinion Of a party that upholds
them.
Mr.. Greeley admits that he violates
the unwritten law Of proprieties in
this speech, but claims that
justice to those who nominated and are
now supporting him warrant the irregu-
larity. He Is correct; the most malig-
nsnt fighting on the administration side
is against those who support him, rather
than against himself; and he does only
an act Of generosity in violating a con-
10 vindicate their patriot
ism. The effect of his speech will last
until the end Of the canvass. It is un-
and unassailable, and will
argely increase the already large meas
IRE Of respect which his countrymen
have for him.