The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-08-22
SPEECH OF MIR. GREELEY.

yesterday:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen
1t is certainly true that throughout the
course Of my life, as far as | have been con.
uected with public affairs. l have struggled,
with such pacty as God has given me, for
first impartial and universal liberty second,
for the unity and greatness of our common
country; and third. and by no means last,
when the former end was obtained, for early
and hearty reconciliation aud peace among
our countrymen. For these great ends I
have struggled, and I hope the issue Of the
third is not doubtful.
thoroughly comprehend that no person al
consideration has drawn this vast assembly
together. Other, higher and srander con-
slerations have collected you to-day. It is
part of the unwritten law of our country that
candidate for President may not make
speeches in viudication and commentator of
the principles whereupon he is supported, or
the measures which his election is intended
to promote, though candidate for Vice
President is under no such inhibitions. [
not merely acquiesce in the restriction-l re-
cognize and affirm its propriety.
The temptation to misnterpret and mlsre-
present candidate for the higher post is SO
great, the means of circulating such perver-
SION among the people who never see word
of the rcfutation, so vast. that candidate has
no moral right to subject his friends to the
peril he must brave, If rot invite, by taking
part in the canvass. Yet there is truth to
be uttered in behalf of those who have. placed
me before the American people in my pres.
emit attitude, which GOES them such honor that
[ claim the privilege Of stating it here, and
now this is that truth No person has ever
vet made tho fact known that he proposed to
support, or actually did support, my nominal
ton, whether at Cincinnati or Baltimore. or
any action which resulted in sending dele
gates to either convention, as the basis Of a
claim for office at my hands. No one who
favored my norir alton before either conven-
ton, or at either convention, has sought Office
at my hands, either for himself or any one
else. nor has one suggested to me that l
might strengthen myself as candidate by
promising to appoint any one to any impor
tant Office whatever. In some few instances
less than dozen, am certain, some Of the
smaller fry politicians have since my double
nomination limited to me by letter that |
might increase my chances of election by pro-
missing postof1ice or some such place to my
volunteer correspondents, respectively.
have not usually responded to these
overtures, but now give general notice that
should | be elected [ shall consider the claims
of these untimely aspirauts after those of the
more modest and reticent shall have been full
ly satisfied. [Applause. In two er three
instances have been asked to say whether
I would or would not. if elected, con6ne my
appointments to republicans. answer these
by pointing to the plank 10 the Cincinnati
platform wherein all who concur in the prin-
clples therein set forth are cordially invited
to participate in their establishment and vim
dication. I never yet heard Of man who
invited his neighbors to help him raise a
house and proceeded to kick them out as
soon as the roof was fairly over his head
For my part recognize every honest man
who approves and adheres to the Cincinnati
platform as my political brother and as such
fully entitled to my confidence and friendly
regard. One other point demands word :
Those adverse to me ask what pledges [ have
given to those lately hostile to the Union to
secure their favor and support. l answer
no man or woman in all the South ever ask
ed Of me, whether directly or through anoth-
err, any other pledge than is given in all my
acts and works from the hour of Lees sur
render down to this moment.
No Southern man ever limited to me an
,ch hat fha al Caht
whether Confederate or State, should be as
sumed or paid by the Union, and no South
ern man who could be elected to a Legisla-
ture or made colonel of militia regiment
ever suggested the pensoning Of all rebel SOL
diers or any ofthem, even as a remote posi-
bility. All who nominated me were perfect
ly aware that | upheld and justified federal
legislation to repress the Ku klux conspiracy
and outrages, though had long ago Insisted
as strenuously as | now do, that complete
amnesty and general oblivion of the bloody,
hateful past would do more for the suppress
sion and utter extinction of such outragea
than all the force bills and suspension Of ha-
beas corpus ever devised by man. Wrong
and crime must be suppressed and punished,
but far wiser and nobler in legislation is the
olicy by which;they are preve' I'd.
From those who support me in the South
[ have heard but one demard--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 sur
render of their manhood. They ask that
they should be regarded and treated by the
Federal authority as citizens, not culprits, so
long as they obey and Uphold every law con-
sistent with equality and right They desire
rule which alike for white and black shall
encourage industry and thrift, and discour-
age rapacity and villainy. They cherish a
joyful hope, in which fully concur, that be.
tween the 9Th Of November and the 4th Of
March next quite number Of Governors and
other dignitaries who in the absurd name OF
republicanism and loyalty have been for years
piling debts and taxes upon their war-wast
ed States will follow the wholesome example
Of Bullock, of Georgia, and seek the shades
Of private life. The darker and darker those
shades the better for themselves and for mat
kind, and the hope that my election may has
ten the much desired hegira of thieving car
pet baggers has reconciled to the necessity OF
supporting me many who would otherwise
have hesitated and probably refused
Fellow. citizens, the depcsed and partially
exllee Tammany ring has stolen about thirty
millions from the city of New York. That
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