New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-07-04
From the Washington Daily Chron'cl
Grant OF Greeley.

Viewing the present outlook, and it seem
almost morally certain that one or the othe
Will be the next President of the United
States, what is the difference between Tho
two men? What the ideas they rcspcctivcl,
represent?
| Grant is the nominee of the Republican
party, and represents it. This party has &
tradition behind il of thirty years of aspira.
tons and labors aspirations for human lib.
erty, justice, and equality. 1t is the party
that has fought the most formidable enemy
OF mankind; fought the spirit of evil that
had found a home on the new continent, and
renewed again, in history, the struggle 70,
| power, dominion, wealth, and mastership
Tor the Inauguration Of gigantic regime OF
privilege and inverted pride. This party held
| the dark spirit in check while it educated the
masses, children-like, to comprehend the
danger that threatened the civilization of the
new continent, and then, when the time had
arrived, struck the blow that gave the reptile
its death.
The honorcd head of the Government
welded during the great struggle the forces
that destroyed the power of slavery. During
the struggle we find him always ,,ositice,
taking boldly the initiative and the response
blllty, holding counsel with himself, rcsolutc
and silent. The struggle eyer, raised to the
head of the civil power, what do we see ?
An entire change. The iluctuatn@. chang
ing, lncohercnt scene of war, in which mas
ter mind must take counsel of itself, and of
itself alone or fail, is placed by the ordinary
course of political life, in which, through long
experience and practice, a regular system
and order have been established In this
stable sphere of life the collective will and
conscience of the people govern and can
govern. What does President Grant do when
Incomes to act in this new sphere, the civil :?
Throwing aside all initiative, all individual
action, all personal ambition, he proclaims
his intention of representing faithfully the
collective conscience and interpreting the
collective will. Has any President in our
history ever acted with more sincerity. single
mindedness, and honesty of purpose? He
has said, in substance 81 follow the man
dates of the spirit of the American people
trust It's wisdom. Its thought is my thought
its genius is my guide | surrender my indi-
vidual convictions and my mind to its collec-
tive rcason.' Has not his whole policy been
in unity with such q declaration? Has he
held to any personarplan or theory that has
bcen III the least antagonistic to the collcc-
tive Will and conscience? We answer. No.
We believe that the old Republican party
and its leader can be trusted, and should
hold the rens of State for another term. In
this party lives the spirit of political equality
and justice; in the man the idea of true civic
leadership, that of interpreting the experience
and will OF the people. Mountains have been
made from mole-hills, and the President has
been attacked for the mere expression of
opinion. He has been also assailed for con-
forming to some old and simple habits. as il.
with the native simplicity of his character.
he could, like harlequin or a diplomatist,
change the course of his life with every new
position laid upon him.
The platform 81 the party is broad and lib
eral enough. 1t has generous declaration
for labor, and hope and aspiration for the
continued and progressive elevation of woman
Has political party, in the worlds history,
ever done as much?
The man on the ticket with President
Grant has been for thirty years the constant
and uncompromising friend of the oppressed
under every form; of the toiler of every
cline and race. He has batted for equality
and justice in dark and troubled times, and
risked all personal considerations for the tri-
umph of abstract right.
Now what, on the other hand, is the na-
ture and character of the new movement
born ut Cincinnati? A mere mental fement
The party is the product of the restlcssness,
discomfort, personal aims, and fancics of in
dvidual minds. Here a mighty national
caprice gave itself rendezvous. Out of it
came forth, to the establishment of folr-iifths
OF its members, the nomination of Horace
Greeley and Graft Brown.
The movement represents this national
caprice, producing reaction and the effort to
effect new organization. In ordinary times
it would be but ripple on the surface of ma
tional politics, like ''native Americanism,"
but it comes at a time when the great Demo-
cratic party, hopelessly beaten and broken,
is ready to join hands with any faction to re-
gain power and place. This party, the ally
and supporter of slavery for thirty years,
whipped and disgraced, has become so hope
less that it is willing to follow any leader
the most obnoxious promises success.
1t is joining hands with its most bitter enc
my-Grceley-and procaims, while it does
not hide its hate, that it will follow him
would follow Satan if he led the way. Bel
mont, the keen financial genius of the party,
has expressed this so clearly and directly.
that we can appreciate it in its naked reality.
Greeley represents only his personal
opinions-theories of a part of the party
convictions of a fragment of the people, not
the collective conscience andwill. If elected
he will seek to inaugurate new regime, fus-
ing the ideas of extremists in the Republican,
and Conservatives in the Democratic party.
1t will be strange creation, the new policy,
that will arise. The Democrats will crawl
out of their old skins of slavery and other
denominations, and revamp the party by
which they formerly achieved success. The
extremists from the Republican ranks will
have budget of new principles to realize.
What hydra-headed creature will be born
from the strange conjunction 1t will bite
and tear itself TO the death until few strong
heads obtain dominion and control.
Gratz Brown represents reaction and dis
content; Wilson, IA great tradition and clean
personality. Compare the platforms. That
of Cincinnati is cautious, limited, and Genius
edly flexible. The Philadelphia, full, broad,
and explicit. If Cincinnati and Baltimore
unite and triumph no one can see the future.
If Philadelphia triumphs, the onward march
Ofour great national traditions will be assured,
bearing the fruit which thirty years of noble
aspiration and mighty struggle have pre-
pared.
Tie Sunday Question.