Horace Greeley was born to poverty and educated himself in a
printing-office. President Grant, fortunate in early patronage,
became a cadet at West Point and was educated at the public expense.
One started with nothing but industry and character; the other
started with a military commission. One was trained as a civilian;
the other as a soldier. Horace Greeley stood forth as a Reformer and
Abolitionist. President Grant enlisted as a Proslavery Democrat,
and, at the election of James Buchanan, fortified by his vote all
the pretensions of Slavery, including the Dred Scott decision.
Horace Greeley from early life was earnest and constant against
Slavery, full of sympathy with the colored race, and always foremost
in the great battle for their rights. President Grant, except as a
soldier summoned by the terrible accident of war, never did anything
against Slavery, nor has he at any time shown any sympathy with
the colored race, but rather indifference, if not aversion. Horace
Greeley earnestly desired that colored citizens should vote, and ably
championed impartial suffrage; but President Grant was on the other
side.
Beyond these contrasts, which are marked, it cannot be forgotten that
Horace Greeley is a person of large heart and large understanding,
trained to the support of Human Rights, always beneficent to
the poor, always ready for any good cause, and never deterred by
opposition or reproach, as when for long years he befriended your
people. Add to these qualities, conspicuous in his life, untiring
industry which leaves no moment without its fruit, abundant political
knowledge, acquaintance with history, the instinct and grasp of
statesmanship, an amiable nature, a magnanimous soul, and above all
an honesty which no suspicion has touched,--and you have a brief
portraiture where are antecedents of Horace Greeley.
Few of these things appear in the President. His great success in
war, and the honors he has won, cannot change the record of his
conduct toward your people, especially in contrast with the life-time
fidelity of his competitor, while there are unhappy “antecedents”
showing that in the prosecution of his plans he cares nothing for the
colored race. The story is painful; but it must be told.