Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-08-08
Mr.. Greeley's Letter of Acceptance.

Last week we published the letter of
Horace Greeley accepting the nomina-
ton Of the Baltimore Convention.
The Boston Post makes the following
comments upon that letter?
The perfect candor that pervades
the spirit Of Mr. Gree'ey's letter of ac-
ceptance to the committee of the Balli-
more Convention is worthily matched
by the vigor of its phrase, If his
double nomination shall have done no.
thing more, it is mucn to say that it
has impaired an altogether new tone
to the future responses of Presidential
nominees, Complimentary smooth
ness yields to expressive thought, and
complacent consent is supplauted by
vigorous opinion. The righteousness
of Mr. Greeley's answer TO the Balti-
more Committee none will omit to ap.
piaud, evdcucing that here is candi-
date for the Presidency who possesses.
discretion in an equal degree with ca
pacity, and in expressing his convc-
tons is not unmindful Of their legit-
mate effect. The pueriljties of the
critical assault with which the Admin
istratiou press is engaged over him are
sufficiently obvious from but cursory
perusal OF production of this charac-
ter There is nothing about it to in
dictate that vacillating habit Of intellect
for which he is assaulted, or that weekly
emotional nature for which his oppo-
meats vanI y seek to Involve him in pub
lie ridicule. Conirasted with the hazy
inaDc, pointless aud thoroughly improp
er letter which wa boasttuly reported
to have been scribbled' by the pre-
sent incumbent in acknowledgment OF
II similar distinction, it is sufficient OF
itself to fix the choice between them
for the Office TO which they have been
named. Mr. Greeley distinctly atlirms,
aud points to the noble action Of the
Democracy to sustain him, that ",here
remains among us 10 party and no
formidable interest which regrets the
overthrow or disires the re-cs'ablsh-
ment of human bondage. whether in
letter or in spirit
The chasm" is, therefore, closed
up. 1t was long since filled with pre-
cious human lives and mountain of
treasure. South and North are Que
again. While Mr. Boutwell, goes about
demanding proofs that slavery is dead
in spirit and in form, Mr. Greeley is
them to the satisfaction of
evey reasouab e mind. And now he
demands the reapplication of the prin-
ciples of equality everywhere. Tn.
blacks being fully cmancipatcd, he in
sists that the last white man shall be
enfranchised. Though only hundreds
may be prescribed, millions are actual
ly denied the right to choose who may
rule and represent them For distant
States TO dictate, as New England did
in North Cardinals case, the persons
who shall represent other States in the
Senate, on grounds made difficult and
technical purposely to authorize the
action, is dangerous meddliug that
ovcrlhrows the whole fabric of republi-
can equality from its very foundations.
Mr. Greeley wonld have an end Of it.
He would have The plain principles Of
republicanism rule everywhere, with
out restraint or qualification. He re-
oices that hcuceforth Democracy and
are identical in their
and purpose, expressive OF
Re great and vital truth Of equal rights
This cooperative action Of parties, each
)ent on the rescue Of the Republic from
chickering's perils, he halls as ga gen
ine new departure from outworn teuds
and meaningless contcn,ions, in the
direction of progress and reform" Aud
so does the country welcome it also.
hxigent situations require unusua
aud fortunate are the men
md parties that improve their oppor.
unity to nob!y fill the requirements of
IN acknowledged crisis. This second
etter of Horace Greeley more than
confirms the belief created by his for
ner Que, that it was no mistake, but II
that brought such candI-
late and the common exigency togeth-
r..