Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-07-20
THE SAME OLD ENEMY CoNFRoNTs US.

In our issue of yesterday we enquired if
the Democratic party had in reality-as
some have suggested-while accepting Mr..
Greeley and the Cincinnati platform ac-
Cepted also the principles of the Republi-
cans. If we are to believe Mr.. Bird,
" three millions of Democrats have been
brought out of sin; and in view of so
many blessings, we ought to get down on
our knees and give thanks" So he says
in his speech at the picnic at Chappaqua
No one will pretend that the nomination
of the convention at Baltimore was rati-
tication of the voice of the Democratic
masses. 1t was simply shaping of the
policy of portion of the party leaders.
This conversion of three millions of peo-
pie from sin " was effected in three short
days.
Neither Mr.. Bird or Mr.. Davis, nor any
other of the Sumner clique, give us any
clue to the means by which this pente-
coStaJ dag and outpouring Of grace " was
initiated. He says these Democrats are
shaming US by their devotion"
The New York World enlightens us;
onlywe find that, instead of its being "a
conversion from sin" it issimply change
from opposition to Horace Greeley TO an
endorsement of the policy of Hoffman,
Burr, Tweed & Co., in his nomination.
The WorJd-with Mr.. Bayard-be it re-
membered, has revolved. 1t has ceased to
asperse the Sage, and filled almost to burst
ing with the new spirit has spoken right
out in meeting. From being the bitter OPP
ponent of Mr.. Greeley, it has become his
chosen counselor. To that organ-the
Tribune being out of play-he has, it would
appear, suggested some portion of his poll
cy, when he shall be President. We quote
With the Democratic cabinet which Mr.
Greeley will be constrained to appoint, and the
Democratic Congress which will be elected with
him, there will be an opportunity for reforming
administrative and legislative abuses. By elect
ing Mr.. Greeley we shall heal the wounds of the
civil war and restore harmony between the
North and the South; and the certainty of a
Democratic cabinet and Congress gives fair
promise of important subsidiary reforms
SO then with the exception of the large
number who have gone over to Grant, the
Democratic party is intact, and if the prin-
clples OF the party are such as its candidate
has stated so tersely, then we need not be
surprised at any course that might be pur-
sued. 1t were no difficult matter for those
who made no bones of stealing from the
public treasury of New York by the mill
lon, and paid the Tribune thousands for
advertising on condition that it hold its
peace, to attempt, at least, to make Horace
Greeley tool whereby to gain their ends.
After all that has been revealed of the de-
pravity of leading New York politicians.
it requires no great force of argument to
convince one of the readiness with which
Hoffman and Tweed, with Fenton as
go-between, would proffer terms for
their adhesion and influence and when a
man who has cursed and denounced such
men in the style of Horace Greeley can
consent to accept their influence and nomi-
nation, it is not hard to believe that the
terms and conditions would be accepted
also.
Upon what other theory than that of bar
gain and sale can we account for the sud-
den and complete change of opinion, of