Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-12-05
A Nations Loss.
HORACE GREELEy-DEAD.

the residence of DIR. Choate, in Tarry-
town, New Jersey, at $50 p. m, Fri
dax,the 29th inst.
No shock oflate years, save perhaps
the death Of Lincoln has so touched
the nations heart as the death q Hor-
ace Greeley. To-day it is the uppermostI
thought in all thinking minds in Amer
ica, and foreign lands have already re-
ceived the sorrowful tidings with pain
and regert. One of the rarest and
most wonderful characters in history is
suddenly dropped from the ranks of
men; his demise comes ike a blow in
the dark.
We stand beside the open grave of
this prodigy of genius and strength,
and sink in the back ground all bitter
ness engendered by the late campaign,
and-view him not through the insignif-
can't episode Of his candidacy for Presi-
dent, but recall him as the great jour
nalist, occupying the first rank in his
profession, exerting controlling indu-
ence upon public affairs, as the fore
most educator of the people and as the
combatant through long years, of the
enemies of human freedom and right.
His career began in poverty, with
none of fortunes favors to smile upon
him, save such as were bestowed
through superior endowment, yet it
was one of more than ordinary success.
Born in New Hampshire, Feb. 8, 1911,
he was occupied during his boyhood
days laboring on his fathers farm and
in attending school. In 1926 he became
printers apprentice, and din1S3l, went
to New York seeking work at his trade,
which he obtained after some difficulty
When he was but twenty three years Of
age he started a weekly newspaper
called the New Y orker, which gained
for him reputation, but failed pecuni-
arily. In 1888, he published the Jefer-
soaial, and in 1910 the Log Cabin, Whig
Campaign papers. In 1871, these papers
were discontinued, and the Daily
New York Tribune established-the
history ofwhich during the last thirty
years is closely allied with the stirring
events Of that period. This is brief
sketch of his career as a journalist,
marked as 1t was by great labor, cour-
age, capacity, and perseverance.
In a character so copious of ideas and
so full Of labor, Of course, there were
faults; yet in bis life there is marvel
lous lesson, a wholesome example.
You can count his errors upon the fa-
gers of one hand, but who shall count
his victories? His aim was always
high. His humanity begot his errors.
His Inconsistencies are explainable by
his readiness TO forgive the same in
Others, and his ambition was the off
spring of his liberation. He could not
turn the beggar from his door nor re-
sist the appeal of the vanquished. His
whole being was inspired by beyevo-
lence and SO his weakness became his
strength. Byit, enemies were convert
ed into friends, and millions were inn
pressed with his integrity of character.
With a heart fortified by a powerful
brain, he was brave in doing unpopu-
lar and difficult things. Used to perse-
eution, how manfully he wrote for the
right Injured to hardships, how gener-
ously he gave to the suffering!
Though utterly unable to do battle
for himself, he was resistless in his
power against oppression. He was a
tool in the hands of politicians, but a
thunder6olt against slavery.
The hosts he had educated to oppose
the rebellion would not follow him in
what he considered necessary to heal
the wounds made by the rebellion.
When he found that the friends of
his prosperity, and those who had will
ingiy followed him, misunderstood
him, misconstrued his motives and
sometimes maligned and abused him,
when defeat had overcome him, and
death had folded its black shadows
around him at his own fireside, his
strong nature gave way and his gener-
Gus heart was shattered.
Horace Greeley was something more
than an ordinary'man. He had more
than mere ability. His resources were
!. prodigious. He almost invented a
language. His skilifuI innovations and
priceless utilities revolutionized jour-
nalism. Mistaken at times, he always
rejoiced in the conviction that he was
right, and when ia the right his force
was resistIess.
Mr Greeley has fairly won Q place
among the noble ones of earth. His
spotless private worth; his temperance;
his simplicity of character; his love for.
kindred and friends; his war against
slavery; his fight for exceptionless edu-
cation and equality; his crusade against
free-tFade and his championship ofthel
rights Of labor, are self secured Inonu-
mems, more lasting than marble and
more enduring than the hills. History
will accord 10 him his place with
earth's purest and most ilustrious
names and men viii allow the aspira-
tons as penned in his own auto-bio-
graphy years ago:
Fame is yapor; popularity an nacci-
/ dent; riches take wings; the only earth
| ly certainty Is ObliVion-n0 man can
fGresee what day may bring forth; and |
I those Tho cheer to-day will often curse
4 tomorrow; and yet / cherish the hopel
Il 4te.f fisp iOuT-fsoi 7 rs,-oisa,.roi ord o-4,L