It is also idle to say that the election of Horace Greeley as
President, with Gratz Brown as Vice-President, both unchangeable
Republicans, will be the return of the Democratic party to power. On
the contrary, it will be the inauguration of Republican principles,
under the safeguard of a Republican President and Republican
Vice-President, with Democrats as avowed supporters. In the
organization of his Administration, and in the conduct of affairs,
Horace Greeley will naturally lean upon those who represent best the
great promises of Equal Rights and Reconciliation made at Cincinnati.
If Democrats are taken, it will be as Republicans in heart,
recognizing the associate terms of the settlement as an immutable
finality.
The hardihood of political falsehood reaches its extreme point,
when it is asserted that under Horace Greeley the freedmen will be
reënslaved, or that colored people will in any way suffer in their
equal rights. On the contrary, they have in his election not only the
promises of the platform, but also his splendid example for a full
generation, during which he has never wavered in the assertion of
their rights. To suppose that Horace Greeley, when placed where he
can do them the most good, will depart from the rule of his honest
life is an insult to reason.
It is none the less idle to suppose that Democrats supporting
Horace Greeley expect or desire that he should depart from those
principles which are the glory of his character. They have accepted
the Cincinnati platform with its twofold promises, and intend in
good faith to maintain it. Democrats cannot turn back, who at the
Convention adopting this platform sang Greeley songs to the tune of
“Old John Brown, his soul is marching on.” Seeking especially the
establishment of character in the National Government, they will
expect their President to be always true to himself.
Therefore I put aside the partisan allegations, that Horace Greeley
has gone to the Democrats, or that he will be controlled by
Democrats. Each is without foundation or reason, according to my
judgment. They are attempts to avoid what you recognize as the true
issue, being the question between the two candidates; or perhaps
they may be considered as scarecrows to deter the timid. Nobody who
votes for Horace Greeley will go to the Democrats; nor do I believe,
that, when elected, Horace Greeley will be under any influence except
that enlightened conscience which will keep him ever true to the
principles he represents.
The conclusion from this comparison between the two candidates is
plain. Unquestionably the surest trust of the colored people is in
Horace Greeley. In everything for your protection and advancement he
will show always the most heart-felt sympathy and the greatest vigor
beyond what can be expected from President Grant. He is your truest
friend.