The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-12-03
Death of Horace Greeley.

Among the sad events Of the last week
was the death of Horace Greeley, which
occurred in New York City, on Friday
last. The long illness and death of his
wife, thegreat strain Of the late Prcsidep-
tial Campaign and perhaps more than
any other cause, the crushing defeat he
experienced in the result, entirely broke
down his strong constitution, and his
nervous system became dcranged, bodily
prostratiou followed, bis reason became
dethroned and finally death closed the
scene. That brilliant and nobler career
is thus eudcd all must admit. In spite
of faults and weaknesses which he had in
common with all men, perhaps to larger
extent than some. he had also such a
large endowment Of noble qualities, such
rare mental gifts, that we can easily for
get his faults in our werm admiration Of
his virtues But We viii not stop to
eulogze in set terms, one whose public
life is itself his highest culogy We will
only briefly refer to few facts in re-
lation to his public life which will serve
as memoranda from which his admiring
countrymen can readily recall the princi-
pal events Of bis twq all A &Ifih re Teco ,s:
nize them as part of the history of the
memorable character which forms this
sketch.
He was born in Amherst, New Hamp-
shire, February 81, 1911. He attended
common school, in that town, until he
was fourteen years old, when he removed,
with his father, to West Haven, in this
State. Having, from his earliest youth,
shown fondness for reading, partclarly
newspapers, he determined to become a
printer. After vainly seeking situation
in Whitehall, he entered the office of the
Northern Spectator, at poultney, where
he remained until 1880, when the paper
was discontinued and he returned to
work on his fathers farm.
During the following year he went to
New York, where he obtained work as a
journeyman, and was employed in diff
ferent Offices, with occasional intervals
for the next eighteen months. In 1884
in connection with Jonas Winchester, he
started the Ne1o Yorker, weekly jour.
nal of literature and general news, and
became its editor, After several year.
of severe struggling, the journal was
abandoned During its existence, Mr.
Greeley was also connected with and pub
lshed several political campaign papers
the Constitution, the Jefcrsonia1,, and the
Log Cabin. IN 1871, he commenced
the publication Of the New York Tri
bune, of which he remained the response
BILE editor until after his nomination fol
the Presidency at Cincinnati. 10 1913
he was elected to fiji q vacancy ia thu
Thirtieth Congress and served through
the short term preceding the Inauguration
of President Taylor He Interested him
self, while in Congress, in the reformation
Of the abuses Of the mileage system, ant
was an able and useful member. Oflat,
years he has been somewhat of traveller
both in this country and Europe, and gave
the result of his observations to the worlC
in letters to the Tribune and also in bool
form. Among his other publications ma,
be mentioned Hints toward Reform,
The American Conflict" Recollection
of busy life" What | Know Abou
Farming" etc.
The following beautiful tribute iron
the Springfield Republican will tell bet
ter than we can tell, the feelings Of tn
great heart OF the nation in this hour Q
national bereavement
Horace Greeley? lie is only beginnin
to live. Every year now will add to hi
power will round and heap the measur
of his fame The mistakes which MARIE
his work are already halt forgotten; tn
work itself remains, aud will remain for
ever,-an indeicasible possession, an i'm
perishable monument. So, too, the fol
bles, the weaknesses, the pettinesses whic
obscured his character scale off now an
drop out Of sight The man himself
coming into view at ast,-the real Hol
ace Greeley with his great active brai
and tender heart, his grand hatred c
wrong and charity for tho wrong doel
his restless beneyolence aud his war;
human interest in everything appertainin
to humanity. As the years pass, he wi
iooh up talicI duu tailcT' ZIG uiu III
need the presidency for pedestal, thong
he thought he did. That was his mil
take The office might have belittle
him it could not have added cubit ,
his stature in the remembrance of h
countrymen or 10 the history Of his couI
try. 1t 10 pleasant now to remembc
that his last words to US, while yet
health of body and mind, were Of forgiv,
ness and love. 1t is pleasant to beie'
that by that brighter light which no
shines upon him he has already discovers
how sodiy he misjudged in supposing an
thing was gone, or lost, or destroye
that he already sees OF the travail
his soul and is satisfied.
ellis ashes in peaceful urn shall rest,
His name great example stands, TO show
How strangely high endeavors may be bltst.