The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-12-02
Mr.. Greeley's Death.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.

The World says it is too much overcome with
grief to analyze Mr. Greeleys character and
career. 1t says, however, that she was proba-
bly, the most remarkable American of his pc
Rod. Though an unsparing controversalist he
bore no malice, even in the heat of political
contention, and no man ever responded more
warmly to the personal esteem of party antag-
onsts. Even with Stephen A. Douglas his rela-
tons and intercourse rested on a footing of the
frankest good will; and there have been recent
instances in which he gave his confidence to
political opponents with more trusting I'M
reserve, If 1T were permitted us to mention
Them After then saying that Mr.. Greeley at
one time during the canvass had good grounds
I It exp ectlng to be elected, the World says:
The stars in their courses seemed to FIGHT
against him."
The San says: SIN his mental and moral
characteristlcs Greeley was puEzng COM
pound OF contrarities which defied close analy-
SIS IL ADDS that Greeley was Mortified
on seeing IN the Tribune of November 5, along
side OF his own card, the remarkable editorial
headed Crumbs of comfort" which expressed
gratitude that his (Greeley's) defeat would re-
lleve him from the solicitations of office beg
CARS and which the Sun says insulted every
person who voted for him. Greeley immediate
ly went to the Tribune Office and wrote dis
cialmer that he had never been consulted, new
er saw the article, and repudiated the senti-
ments and the language. This disclaimer was
suppressed. He wrote another, which was al
we're criticisms which this article provoked
from his late supporters, added to his depres-
sion and illness. During his last hours he was
so violent that the furniture was removed from
the room. One time he threw kerosene lamp
on the floor, setting fire to the room, and an.
other time tore In pieces the watch presented
him by the Tribune employees As his strength
lett him he became more quiet
The New York Herald closes long editorial
thus:
dis character as citizen, friend and neigh
Dor, IS sans pear, sans Teprocle." AS his life
was admired, his death will be regretted by a
countless host of friends in both hemispheres
snd of all creeds and races of men; and his en-,
cmies will be disarmed in striking the balance
between his merits and his failings In that
broad field of journalism which embraces liber-
ty to the slave, relief to the sick and unfortu-
nate, comfort to the poor, knowledge to the ig-
norant, and the general elevation of the human
family, we recognize in the loss OF Mr.. Greeley
the loss OF a powerful public benefactor To
sum up his merits in word-he has, in the bat
Ties CT life, fought a good ight--he leaves an
honored name behind him, and the high re-
ward OF an encouraging example as an Amer-
can journalist and self-made man.
The Times says, ''Mr. Greeleys loss to Jour
naliSin is one which cannot be replaced. Tie
incidents of his last sickness were Deculiarly
Distressing and from all we can learn, his re-
verses during the late campaign cannot alone
account for them. Had he been successful the
probabilities are that he would not have lived,
so oyertaxed was his strength and so ute rly
broken down was ais constitution The labors
and excitement of the canvass were more than
his body or mind could bear
We shall not attempt, at this moment to
do justice to Mr.; Greeley as a journalist and
public man. His life is part Of the history of
the country for the last thirty years, and the
time has not yet come when it can be impair
TALLY considered. tits certain that Mr. Greeley's
name VIII always be honored in connection with
the anti-slayery struggle, and with manv i'm
portant measures which he fought for vii h re-
markable vigor, simply because he believed
they were right Into these subjects we will
not now enter, for the country is scarcely rid of
the din and turmoil of a memorable and I'M
happy past Historians will do justice to Mr.
Greeley, and, in the meanwhile his country
men will be strangely forgetful if they fail to
pay due tribute to his memory. He has been
before them for almost generation, and he has
had their confidence in many trying periods of
our history. Let us now remember only his
.vf,, l..