The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-12-05


last pages we're brightest, aud bis last works
better than bis first. |. vas something 10
have built Tibaae, bu. the man who
was frs; Of cooqncring people to break
down the barriers Of bate which years Of
hostility and hIoodshed and bitterness bad
raised who was the first to extend his hand
and the first to plead for forgiveness aod
reconciliation, wove for himself a chaplet
which can never wi,her. The people who
once hated him became bis friends, and The
men whom he had carried to honor hurri-
cd him to his grave lie survived the
bitter memories Of the great struggle which
be aided so much to inuugursie, and. as in
that day when he perceived hisgreat duty,
with all the sincerity, honesty and earnest
ness of his nature, be devoted himself to a
restoration Of fraterua feelingamong brelh-
rem who are decrccd one nationality.
1t has been said tina. Mr.. Greeley was
an ambitious man, and that he connivcd to
secure for himself the Presidency. With.
out that true and ennobling ambition which
is the aljuacl Of worthy manhood he could
never been Horace Greeley, but that be
obtained the nomination ofthe Liberia par-
,y through alvenii;ious means is an un-
doubted SANDER His friends and admir-
crs secured the honor for him. TO him it
was unexpected, He accepted the trust as
one who felt that bis cause was good and
that he deserved well of the people The
speeches which he made during his Yves.
tern tour constitute . monument as grand
as any statesman ever won, aud proudcr
far than those which extol warriors. Fol
loving the great mental and physical strain
incurred during that journey came that do.
nestle affection which touched all hearts
Then came the political disaster. Mr.
Greeley felt that his life had indeed been
wasted il be had not deserved something at
the hands Of the people. The country did
love him and honor him, but crcumstan.
ccs which others could understand, but
which brought no comfort Mr.. Greeley,
prevent a just expression. lie had borne
much The man who had led pure and
uprightlife saw bimsclf for months bran
dcl in public print as a scoundrel; the man
who had wasted bis energies and the best
years Of bis life in the cause Of his country
aud the people, heard himself maligncd on
the stump, aud heard his name associated
with all that was vile aud venal and cor.
rupt. lie saw bis friends of former years
alienatei; he saw the bushes which he low
ed as his life imperriled, and his cup olaf
fiction was full. Then the great mind,
worn by years Of activity and labor, and
the strong nerves broke down under the
weight Of sorrow and misfortune "The
country is gone; the Tribune is gone, and
| am gone were among the last words of
the stricken old man. 1t was not vanity
or egotism. lie loved his country, and
well might he despair. He loved the Trib-
me, and when its power was broken he
felt that he had flushed bis task. Why
should he live longer? Sad picture! Sad
ending to life so useful.
Far be it from US at an hour like this
to employ terms Of bitterness or awaken
aniuidsities, hut We can not refrain from q
cou,5upation # one of the spectacles con-
nectod with this so'!owFul event. Mr.
Greeley died broken hearted, dnd the men
whom be had created and hcn5.cd are re-
sponsible. 1t was the malignancy OF MS
former associates, tho persecution OF his
friends of that party organization which he
lad buildcd, which fell upon him like the
iron hail and leaian rain. Their mis-
representation and calumny followed hin
even to the stricken domestic circle, aad the
injustice ofmau, the ingrattule of parties,
fell with crushing weight upon one Of his
sensitive and emotional nature The les.
son which this teaches should not be lost.
Mr.. Greeley has died in the fullness of
years, and in the line Of the great duty
which be marked out for himself. His
genius and his virtues belong to the coun.
try, and history will do him justice. His
place will never be supplied.