The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-08-20
GREELEY AND BROWN
"There Can and Will he No Gem
nine Civil Service Reform, Under
This Administrations.
LETTER FROM HON. JOHN T.
EARNSHFRssTEf.

months absence, find your letter OF
July Il, stating that the committee had
directed you to ask my aid during the
present canvass, and desiring that |
should I'll such appointments to speak
as the committee might make for me, dc.
In spite of my love for the Republi-
cnn party (Which helped to create, J
and for the many per5cnal and political
friends who still clihg TO its organiza-
ton and support its nominee, some of
whom are upon your State ticket, can
not persuade myself to accept the invi-
tation of the committee, and labor for
the reelection of President Grant
1t is q conviction of long standing in
our mind, and which has constantly
grown and strenethed, until cannot di
vest myself Of it, that his reelection,
with a continuance of the present Ad
ministration and its policy for another
four years, would not be for the highest
good of the Republic.
Prior to the Philadelphia Convention,
did,not hesitate to express the hope,
whenever Gonyersed with upon the sub
ject, that some other Republican might
receive the nomination for President
After that Convention was held, how
ever, and uutil the action Of the Balti
more Convention made it certain that the
support Of another Republican would
not result in, nor hazard, the defeat OF
both, 1 did not feel justified in pronoun-
cling against the action of the former
Convention. But now the case is differ
enJ. 1t is simply choice Of Republi-
cans. Greeley or Grant will be elected
President of the United States. Under
these circumstances, and with these al
ternativ9s, can not hesitate, but must
follow my convictions.
The advocates of the election Of Gen.
Grant object to Mr.. Greeley because he
is supported by Democrats and former
rebels. But he was, like Grant, nomina
ted by Republicans; the Democrats and
rebels did not put him in the field; had
nothing to 90 with naming him as can
didate, and they would have supported
almost any other capable Republican
who was honestly and sincerely in favor
of needed reforms in this government,
had he been brought out by the Republi
can Convention at Cincinnati instead Of
Mr.. Greeley.
To my mind, the fact that the former
rebels of the South, and the Democratic
party, support him, is the most gratify-
ing spectacle that has been presented
since the war, for it shows that they ac-
cept the verdict of the war, and are will
ling to abide by it and its legitimate re-
sults--only asking in return honesty in
the administration of the Government,
and the same rights of self government
which the Northern States enjoy.
If the election Of Mr.. Greeley will
bring peace, good order and fraternal
good will in the South, it is certainly a
"consummation devoutly to be wished. !"
/ think it will The most intelligent
people Of the South, and those most in.
terested in the preservation of good
order there, say it will. A large and in
telligent portion of the Republican, and
the entire Democratic party Of the
North, say it will have that effect. The
present administration has failed in this,
and is there any promise, in its continu-
ance for another four years, of better
result?
1t is now seven years since the termi-
nation of the war, and what do we see
The advocates of the election of Gen.
Grant are fighting the battles over again,
repeating the same old, stale denuncia-
tions, and threatening to ''hang JEFF. Da-
Wis on a sour apple tree " In my opin-
ion, it is high time we should give our
attention to issues which concern the
present and future welfare Of the coun-
try.
Mr.. Greeley is q true type of the self
educated, self-,nade American Republi-
can. With Chase and Sumner, Hale and
Julian, and many apostles of the anti
slavery cause, (who are now, am glad
to see, in favor of his election, he help
ed to form the Republican party. From
these men received almost my first les
sons in politics, and l have less distrusi
of my own Judgment in this matter, from
the fact that am still in their company
Mr.. Greeley is thoroughly familiar
with the history of our country, politi.
cal, Industrial, educational, and legisla-
tive. He has been successful in his own
business His education and profession
did not instill any of the elements of ar
istocracy. They were essentially Re
publican in their influence. He is cen
fessedly the chief journalist in America
and it does seem to me that that profes
sion is quite as good preparatory
school for the Presidency, especially in
time of peace, as an education at a Mill
tary Academy, and the profession Of
arms. Who would not prefer the coun
sci or advice of Horace Greeley upon 6
political question to that of any one ot
the great military chiefs of the country
Who is a more competent judge of the
statesmen and craftsmanship of the
country than he? | will not compare
The friends of the present Administra-
ton, it seems to me, are indiscreet in
challenging comparisons.
There are many reasons why there
should be change of Administration
! have been member of Congress thir
teen years, and truth compels me to say
that during that period there has beer
the most wastefnl and extravagant use o1
the public money, and the least account
ability of those who have disbursed it
during the present Administration.
There can and will be no genuine civi
service reform under this Administra
ton. The feeble apparent efforts which
have been made in that direction are 6
standing joke in Washington, among the
chief friends of the Administration, anC
have only increased the methods of 'hov
not TO do it, Indeed. when they de
clare that the Administration is in favor
of this much needed reform, it is done
with wink of one eye at the grimnesi
of the joke.
There should be change of admins
tration in order to arrest the tendency tc
Federalism and Capitalization, whittier
this one is rapidly Fastening.
1t has been argued, and have recent
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