New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-30
HORACE GREELEY.


our columns in weeds of mon'nlns' d prolou"u
sorrow has fallen not only upon the circles OF
domestic intimacy and Eiendly attachment in
,rhioh Tho foco Of the departed had shone for
so many years asa gracious benedictiOn' but
upon a widespread portion Of the American
ueople. by whom his name had been tondiy
cherished rs the devoted advocate OF generous
ideas. and the earnest prophet of the advance
ment ofhumanity. Few men in public or private
life il this country had gathered around them so
large host of admiring friends. He was the
object not only of profound reverence, but OF
tender affection. The splendor Of his intel
lcctual powers had called forth enthusiastic
homage, even from those who differed most
widely from him in opinion, but the qualities
of his heart had inspired an almost romantic
love, surprising the love of women" In tins
hour of softened remembrance, how many
ewes will be wet with sorrow as they read the
lines that announce the departure Of that noble
spirit from his wonted sphere of grand and
benofcent activity.
Mr.. Greeley's death took place last evening
at ten minutes before seven o'clock. For some
time past his health had been seriously
impaired, but not to so great degree as
to awaken the apprehensions of his friends.
His labors during the Presidential canvass
had been of q character to tax his in
telectual and physical energies TO the
utmost The blended wisdom and abil-
elected admiration even from his opponents.
Abstaining, to an extent that is rarely wit
messed during warmly contested election,
from personal criticisms, he devoted himself
to a lucid exposition of the questions at
issue, and the earnest advocacy of measures
which he deemed of pregnant import to the
peace and welfare of the country. But such
q protracted tension of the faculties was too
severe strain for almost any human consti-
tuition. Long before the close of the contest,
the issue of which caused him no disappoint-
meut, his watchful friends observed certain
unusual symptoms of fatigue and languor.
They were sufficient, perhaps, to suggest
dlAlGtg, DuI Certainly uOJ " pIOuUSO oiolu'
The effects of political defeat were soon alb
sOrbed in the intensity of private sorrow. The
loDg-continued illness of Mrs. Greeley termi-
mated in her death a short time before the
election. For many days and nights her hus-
band did not leave her sick chamber, except
at short intervals. The sight of her suherings
exercised painful influence on hiS nervous sy's
TEN. Night after night he was necessarily
deprived of sleep, but when the opportunity
for rest was restored, he was unable to make
use of it. His incessant watch around the
diving pillow Of his wife had well-nigh de-
stroyed the power of sleep. Symptoms Of ex-
IRENE nervous prostradOn gradually became
apparent, his appetite was gone, the stomach
rejected food the free use of his faculties was
disturbed and he sank, with rapidly that
oven TO those who watched him closest, seemed
startling.
The leading events in the life of Horace
Greeley have become so familiar to the public
from the popular biographies which have
attained wide circulation among the people
of this country that we need only refresh the
recollection of our readers by rapid sketch
of the prominent features of his career
Descended from the Scotch Irish Presbyterians
who settled in Londonderry, New-Hampshlre,
about fifty years before the Revolution, he
was born in Amherst in that State, Feb o.
1911. His father was poor and hard-W0rklng
farmer, struggling to pay off the debt incurred
in the purchase of his farm, and dependent on
the labor of his hands for the support of his
family At an early age, Horace was called
TO take part in the incessant toll which
falls to the lot of a farmers boy in the country.
He helped his father i'll planting corn, rode horse
70 pillow, hunted the insects that threatened
the labors of the Spring, drove the cows to
pasture, and watched the cattle to keep them
ont of the corn while the men were at their early
breakfast, before yOking up for the day. For
years he was feeble, sckly child, in spite Of
his outdoor life, often under medical treat
ment, and unable even to watch the rain
through the closed window without violent
attack of illness.
The mother of Horace had lost her two for
mer children just before his birth, and was
thus led to regard him with peculiar tender
ness. She made him her companion and con-
fdant almost as soon as he could speak, pour
ing into his ear an abundant store of ballads,
stories, anecdotes, and legends of the olden
time. He learned to read at her knee, and
among his earliest remembrance was the
little spinning-wheel at which she sat with
the book in her lap, in which lac was taking
his daily lesson.
When about three years old, Horace was
taken by his maternal grandfather to London
derry, where he attended school for the first
time. He was usually at the head of his class,
although one of tue youngest pupils, bright,
active, eager boy, and general favorite
with his COMPANIONS. tbouob he was not fond