Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-08-14
A METHODIST DIVINE ON THE PO-
LITICAL SITUATION.
What the Rev. DR.. Crooks, Editor of
the American WESLEYAN, SAYS.


Z
i The Rev. DR.. Crooks. formerly sta
toned in this city, and now editor OF
the american Wesleyan, is known as
a gentleman of marked ability and
large influence in the Methodist
Church. In his paper of July nth
he says:
Now that both of the great political
parties of the country have offered
their candidates for the highest Off
ces in the gift of the American peo-
pie, il is proper that we should have
few words upon the pO itical situa-
ton. We shall write not as q parti-
san, but as patriot, giving our best
views upon the duty of the citizen in
the exercise of his franchise at the
coming election for President and
Vice President. 1t is now morally
certain that should they live and con-
tinue sound in body and mind, either
Grand and Wilson, OF Greeley and
Brown, will fill these high offices the
ensuing presidential term. The grave
question to be settled by every Ameri-
can citizen, which will be best for the
sacred interests of country and man
kind. To the extent of our ability we
would aid our readers to correct judg-
ment and action. Our words shall be
plain, and we hope to the point. And
OF PERSONS OR CANDIDATES,
as between Wilson or Brown, our
very decided preference is for the for
mer. As an honest, intelligent, fear
less, firm and incorruptible Christian
statesman, Henry Wilson, of Massa-
chusetts, has q most enviable record.
We think that no unbiased mind will
claim that Gratz Brown, of Missouri,
is his peer.
For years we have carefully studied
both Grant and Greeley. Neither of
them realizes our highest Ideal of the
finished statesman. Grant is devoted
to his cigar, and the sports of the
turf. Greeley is eccentric, uneouth, |
untidy, and we are informed, Vulgarly |
profane. Both may be conceded to be |
honest, subject to the abatements COM
mon to human weakness. Greeley |
surpasses Grant in political know
ledge. Just as much, Grant surpas-
ses Greeley in self-poise and superior
executive ability. Grants admins
tration has not been free from faults;
yet candor must admit that in the ag-
gregate, and under all the circum-
stances, it is illustrious. He received
the nation at the hands of Andrew
Johnson in perturbation and chaos.
Out of this, as if by magic, and unob-
trusiYely, have come prevalent peace
and comparative order. His policy
toward the Indians has been humane.
The Freedmen have been secured, by
constitutional guarantee all the rights
common to American citizenship
Taxes have been materially reduced
the Government economically admin
istered, and hundreds of millions of
the national debt -liquidated. The
Ku Klux have been suppressed; peace
and amity preserved with all nations;
and if possible, rising in moral gran
deur and substantial glory above all
else, the Inauguration of an era of
peace, in the adjustment of national
wrong by peaeeable appeal to umpire,
and notthe bloody arbitrament of the .
sword. This, in military chieftain,
Is honor with an emphasis; and hav-
ing secured so much of abiding good
10 Christian civilization and the race,
much might we'll be forgiven.
On the other hand, Mr.. Greeley's
history proves two things: l. That ;
rs political Journalist, he is eminent
y success. And, 2; as legislator :
ne is prominently q failure. In some :
and appeteney to the erratic
seems to be his idiosyncracy, or dis
inguishing characteristic. In early
ife he espOused Fourierism, or COM t
nunity of goods. Prior to, and in the 6
.arly part OF the war, he defended the b
light of secession as fully as did JEFF s
ersOn Davis. During the progress a
# the war, he sought 20 negotiate q
erms of peace which Presiden Lin p
'oln and the loyal North were inn b
yelled to repudiate. With all the a
orce of his influence he sought to g
,revent the denomination of Presi- 81
lent Lincoln; at the time, scheme Il
f reckless madness. And now, un. e
Ter no higher pretextthan war upon a
President Grant, he is chief actuary il
n conspiracy against the party ot
which, under God, saved the nation, b
no in favor of the supremacy of that n
arty in which the entire rebel ele-
nent found sanctuary. These facts
demonstrate the unwis- @
ON of intrusting to him the respon- p
Utilities of the Chief Executive of ~ 4:
his great nation. u "
THE PLATFORMS. 10
To the Impractical eye, the two E
latforms seem to be identical; but J"
1 their practical Interpretation, the
ifierence would be world wide. In
ne first place: Everything good in th
le Liberal Republican platform, and ht
luch more, is Incorporated into the by
platform proper. But the ri
'urth plank in the Liberal Republi- m
IN platform, on local and State self tn
ultra DemGcraticallY in as