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Greeley's Southern Tour |
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| “Mr. Greeley at the South” |
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Source: Harper’s Weekly |
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Date:
June 17, 1871, p. 546
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Click to see
a large version of this cartoon |
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Complete HarpWeek Explanation:
Horace Greeley had supported Republican Ulysses S. Grant’s successful
presidential candidacy in 1868 and, initially, his administration, as well. Yet
over time, the Tribune editor’s doubts about the quality of President
Grant’s leadership multiplied. In early May 1871, Greeley declared in an
editorial that although he had freely expressed his reservations about Grant in
private conversation, he had hoped to defer a public declaration until the
winter. While basically in accord with administration policies, Greeley
suggested that he had a problem with the notion of two consecutive terms: “It
is certainly true that we are not seeking the re-election of Gen. Grant as
President.”
Immediately thereafter, Greeley departed on a three-week journey through the
South just as matters were coming to a boil in the struggle between The New
York Times and Harper’s Weekly versus the Tweed Ring. The ostensible
purpose of the trip into previously dangerous territory for a former
abolitionist and radical Republican was to deliver an address, entitled
“Suggestions to Farmers,” on May 23 at the Texas State Fair in Houston. On
other occasions there, Greeley touched repeatedly on current politics and
sectional problems. His remarks attracted wide attention in the press and
generated speculation that he might be considering a run for national office.
Upon his return to New York, a Harper’s Weekly editorial (June 17, 1871)
summarized Greeley’s message that the North and South should “let by-gones be
by-gones,” that the Tribune editor’s political future “was in the hands
of his friends,” and that President Grant should not seek a second term.
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Background: 1859 - 1871
