Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-09
WORCFSTER.
FRIDAY. AUGUsT ., 1879


In Henry J. Raymonds work on Abraham
Lincoln, his services and state papers, there is
an interesting and accurate account of the reck-
less attempts to array an effective opposition to
Mr. Lincoln's denomination, in 1864. In ex-
planning why certain very prominent republic
cans undertook to lead such movement, Mr..
Raymond said ''Many distinguished public
men resented his rejection Of their advice, and
many more had been alienated by his inability
10 recognize their claims to office"
What was true then is true now. These two
sources of disaffection explain most OF the oppo-
sition which has illuminated Gen. Grant and
his administration. There were some other in
tluences to stimulate the crusade against Mr.
Lincoln, one of them arising from the impa-
tience melted by the prudent slowness" with
which he made up his mind to proclaim
emancipation. In this reckless warfare against
President Grant, there is little or nothing in
operation besides the two sources of diSatiection
specified by Mr.. Raymond The opposition to
President Lincoln could not arrange an alliance
with the democratic party; for, in 1864, that
party was not inclined to 'play poSsum." If
such an alliance had then been possible, certain
very prominent republicans might have made a
wreck of their record honor, and reputation,
at that time; and Mr.. Greeley, who conspired
and correspondent TO organize opposition to
President Lincoln, might have been one of them;
but it was not in their power TO defeat the re-
publican party in 1864, as any one could see,
whose judgment had not been eclipsed by the
black visions of cowardice, or by the rage of
wrathful egotism. The inscriptions malice of
disappointed office seekers, and the lordly as
sumptions of mortified egotism, were just as ac-
tive then as they are now; and their repulsve
ugliness was no less apparent. How is it posi-
BILE for nobleness TO suffer this ugineSs, or even
forget for moment that
"a ruddy drop of manly blood
The surging sea Outweighs''i
Human nature has sad weaknesses; but we
are liable to forget that it can be weak in those
we are accustomed to admire II is true, never
theless, that a great senator, or public man
occupying some other great and influential po-
sition, who wins wide reputation, does not
always resist the subtle influences which operate
to deform nobleness by developing morbid
egotism; and, sometimes, this morbid growth
becomes enormous. 1t clouds the Judgment,
ItANIlto tut lONltHSo3 anu diCAAo tAO mar
ners. Personal relations with such a man
are made uncomfortable for all who assume to
be his equals, or who do not come as
worshippers, while the worthless adventur-
or whose words and ways are smooth, and who
is very clever in the management of incense, can
win his confidence and secure his aid. Such a
man is sure to be perpetually resenting lack of
proper recognition, because his own conscious
ness of his importance goes vastly beyond the
general judgment of his comparative value and
fitness for the very highest places and honors.
Without raising the question whether his con-
seriousness or the public judsTaenti is most nearly
correct, we may reasonably inquire whether
noble, self-rsspecting manhood should not main
tain selfpossession and serenity, without regard
TO the success or failure Of personal aspirations.
Such men as we describe have always existed.
1t can be in the history of our politics that
some of them have been liable 10 fatal attacks
of the presidential fever" while others have
made themselves and the administrations with
which they were politically connected, very UNI
comfortable, sometimes going so far as to be-
come leaders of unreasonable disaffection.
few men of this kind, one of them being Horace
Greeley, allowed themselves to give Mr.. Lin
coins administration serious trouble, even in
the dark days OF its struggle with the rebellion.
Theyi came forward as oracles, with
dogmatc advice, and were filled with
resentment because he would not be
meekly plant 10 their dictatiOn. The
same thing has happened to General Grant.
Those who know something of the secret histo-
ny of his relations with some of the prominent
men, who, in their passion, have gone over to
the democrats in order TO defeat him, know well
how little reason or justice there is in the viru-
lent and caiumnious assaults made upon him.
We doubt whether our whole political history
can furnish more than two cases to match the
gross injustice of their assaults, and, in these
cases the injustice did not come from political
associates; II was directed by the organs of one
party against the leading men of another.
As to the other source of disafFection, it re-
quires no great sagacity to see its operation.
No one can name the more prominent Greeley
ties scattered about the country, without find
ing regiment of disappointed office seekers
and desperate political adventures, especially
in New York, Pennsylvania and at the west.
But these political birds of prey are always
busy, at such times in every place where they
find hope of personal advantage. They always
have appeared seeking prey, and we suppose
they always will. There is, however, some
thing for honest people to study in that sinister
influence which draws them TO a movement
which processes to be a ''reiorm" movement,