Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 10.djvu/76

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GREELEY

DURING HIS CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT[1]

(1872)

Born In 1811, died in 18T2; founded the New York Tribune in 1841; elected to Congress in 1848; a notable antislavery leader; an unsuccessful candidate for President in 1872; author of "Recollections of a Busy Life."

It is certain that throughout the course of my life, as far as I have been connected with public affairs, I have struggled with such capacity as God has given me, for: first, impartial and universal liberty; secondly, for the unity and greatness of our common country; thirdly, and by no means last, when the former end was attained, for an early and hearty reconciliation and peace among our countrymen. For these great ends I have struggled, and I hope the issue is not doubtful.

Those adverse to me ask what pledges I have given to those lately hostile to the Union to secure their favor and support. I answer, no man or woman in all the South ever asked of me, directly or through another, any other pledge

  1. Greeley was nominated in May, 1872. His first formal speech in the campaign was the one here given, delivered at Portland, Maine, on August 14. The New York Herald, from which the following report is taken, described Greeley, as he entered the hall to deliver this speech, as wearing " his historical white hat, his black alpaca coat, white vest, and black pants [sic], £ind carrying his white over- coat on his arm."

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