The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-08-28
Mr. Greeley.
HIS SPEECH AT PORTLAND, MAINE

HIS SPEECH AT CORTLAND, MAINE.
MIR. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLE
MEN-It is certainly true that through
out the whole of my life, so far as have
been connected with public affairs, that
have struggled with such capacity as
God has given me for: First-Impartial
and universal liberty. Second-For the
union and greatness of our common
country. Third, and by no means the
ieast-Hhen the former end was at
tanned, for the hearty and early recon-
struction and peace among our coun-
trymen.
For these great ends have I Struggled
and hope that the issue of the third Is
not doubtful. I thoroughly compre-
bend that no personal consideration has
drawn this vast assembly together
Other higher and grander consider
atoms have collected you around me
to-day.
1t is a part of the unwritten law of
cur country that candidate for the
Presidency may not speak in vindica-
ton and commentator of the princi-
pies whereupon he is supported in the
measure which his election is intended
to promote, though candidate for the
Vice Presidency is under no such in
hibition.
/ not merely acquiesce in the restric-
ton, but recognize and affirm the pro-
priety Of such restriction. The tempta-
ton to misinterpret and misrepresent
candidate for the higher posts is so
great, the means Of circulating such
peryerslons among people who never
see a word Of their REPUTATION are so
vast, that a candidate has nc. moral
right to subject his friends to the perils
he must brave, if not invited, by taking
a part in the canvass. Yet there is a
truth to be uttered in the behalf of those
who have placed me before the Ameri-
can people in my present attitude,
which does them such honor that |
claim the privilege of stating it here.
This is that truth. No person has ever
yet made the fact known, he proposed
to support or actively did support my
nomination, whether at Cincinnati, at
Baltimore or in the action which re-
suited in the sending of delegates to Ell
Their Convention, as the basis Of claim
for an Office at my hands.
No one who favored my nomination
before either Convention, or at either
Convention, has sought an Office at my
hands either for himself or for any one
else. Nor has any one suggested to me
that [ might strengthen myself as
candidate by promising to appoint any
one to any important office whatever;
Ia very few instances less than doz-
en- Of the small fry of politicians have,
since my double nomination, claimed
that | might increase my chances of
election by promising a Post Office OF
some such office to my voluntary cor
respectively. l have not
usually responded to these overtures.
but I now give general notice that,
should | be elected, I will consider the
claims of these untimely aspirants, af-
ter those Of the more modest and reti-
cent shall have been fully satisfied. |
.Applause.i ....s..
In two or three instances have been
asked to say whether I would or would
not, if elected, confine my appointments
% Republicans. / answer these by
pointing to the plank jim the Cincinnati
platform, wherein all who concur in |
she principles therein set forth are corr
Tally invited to participate in their es-
Adjustment and vindication. I never
yet heard Of man who invited his
1eighbors to help him raise a house,
md prepared to kick them out of it as
'oon as the roof Was fairly over his
lead. &F So
For my own part, ] recognize every
honest man who approves and adheres
% the Cincinnati platform as my politi-
al brother, and as such fully entitled
% my confidence and friendly regard.
)ne other point demands a word.-
Those adverse to me ask what pledge |
lave given to those lately hostile to the
Union to secure their favor and sup
BORT. | answer, no man or woman in
he South ever asked me directly, or
Trough another, any other pledge than
S given in all my acts and words from
he hour Of Lees surrender down to
his moment. No Southern man ever
linted to me, as expectation, hope or
wish that the rebel debt, whether Con-
ederate or State, should be assumed or
,aid by the Union. No Southern man
Who could be elected to a Legislature,
II made Colonel of military rcgi-
nent, ever suggested the pensioning of
IL the rebel soldiers, or any of them,
ven as remote possibility. All who
nominated me were perfectly aware
hat upheld and justified Federal leg
Station toNrepress Ku- Klux conspiracies
nd outrages, though l had long ago
insisted as strenuous! by as | now do,
hat complete amnesty and general OBJ
ivion Of the bloody, Hateful past would
10 more for the suppression and utter
extinction of such outrages than all the
orce-bills and suspensions of habcas
orpus ever devised by man. Wrong
Il / L.