Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-02
HORACE GREELEY.

The flashing Of the news over the coun-
try on Friday evening last of the death OF
Horace Greeley was a painful surprise, al
though previous kilograms had announced
his critical condition. There were few
we think who anticipated his sudden de-
cease, believing that his naturally vigorous
constitution would overcome the shock
which it had suffered, when rest and free
dom from care were allowed him. But it
was not ordered that he should recover,
and so in quiet and surrounded by friends,
the spirit of Horace Greeley passed that
stormy evening to its Maker, the dust
only remaining to be consigned to dust.
The intelligence of Mr. Greeleys de-
cease will create wide and general sorrow.
Coming so soon after the Presidential cleo
ton in which he was SO prominent char
acter, his death wears q tragical appear
ance, as though overborne with the weight
of battle he had died with harness on at
the head of his defeated hosts. That his
death is due in large measure to the labor,
anxiety and disappointment OF the cam
paign, there can be no doubt. The death
Of his wife was severe affection, but had
it come upon him unattended by the strain
Of the campaign upon his energies, there
Is no reason to believe that it would in any
measure have impaired the vigorous health
which he enjoyed.
Only those who have been through SIM
liar experience in political conflicts can I'M
derstand the crushing weight with which
defeat falls, though there are numerous
instances in the memory and before the
gaze of the living in which men have gone
to their graves or been reduced to imbe-
cility by their struggles and defeats in pur-
suit of political honor Mr.. Greeley was
ambitious, possibly he thought he saw al
ter his nomination the White House open
ing to him, but all his political hopes were
dashed to the ground, and that with his
domestic affection was more than his SEN
sitiye nature could endure. So he went
down as it were in the battle, distin-
guished victim in the fields where for more
than thirty years he had been actively en-
gagged, but making his last fight under
strange banner and in strange company.
But however much partisan influences
may affect the minds of men in connexion
with the DEATH Of Mr.. Greeley, there are
none who will deny him the possession of
great and noble faculties Of mind and heart,
or the energetic and successful use of them
for his fellow beings and his country. His
name has been power in politics. BY
his connexion with the Press he welded a
greater influence for the extirpation of
Slavery than any other individual. His
pen was mighty. His zeal when ne en-
gagged in cause without limit. His be-
nevolence large His labors of pen and
tongue were mainly directed to measures
which he thought would ameiorate and
better the condition of the poorer and
laboring classes. As an editor he was
without rival, leaving none to fill
his place on the Tribune. journalism
was his fitting vocation, the dream and
hope Of his youth, the delight OF his
manhood In one of his editorials he eX-
pressed his high regard for his profession,
when after declaring that fame is a yapor,
popularity an accident, riches take wings,
he said in Substance that all he desired on
the stone which should cover his ashes
would be, Founder of the New York
Tribune" He entered heartily into all
plans for improving agriculture, for edu-
eating the masses, and for Kidding them of
the evils Of intemperance, slothfulness
and the habit of depending upon others
for support. As a guide he was unsafe
His impulses hurried him into errors, and
his character was such that he was often
imposed upon and duped. In politics his
appropriate place was with the outs. criti-
cising, faultfnding, laundering against
office-holders and breaking down the
usages of party when they did not suit his
views. lie worked with giant strength
for the upbuilding of the republican party,
keeping very consistent political record
up to 1861, when the party came into