The New York herald., 1872-12-01
NEW HERALD SUNDAY DrcnMBns ls7sQuADRup1E SHEET

ciaticn can any longer soothe nor any censurs
wound him. Perhaps no kindly human heart evel
80 yearned for sympathy or so eagerly coveted OF
was so deeply grateful for just appreciation. NJ
man who was great power in the politics
Of his time was ever so far removed from the
from all suspicion OF interested motives could
easily find the way to the inner citadel OF his gen
tie heart Though an unsparing controversialist
he bore no malice even in the heat OF political con-
tention; and no man ever responded more warmly
to the personal esteem OF party antagonists. Even
intercourse rested on footing OF the frankest,
heartlest good win; and there have been recent
instances In which he gave his confidence to DOiiti-
cal opponents with more trusting unreserve-if
it were permitted us to mention them. But in all
such personal condolences he was q most uncOm-
promising asserter OF his opinions and his friends
not their politics which he tolerated. Il was like
the interchange OF courtesies between the officers
OF hostile armies, wherein the tokens OF personal
esteem leave no sort of doubt that each side will
rcc0gniti0ns OF military ability and personal
worth imply no sort Of infdelity to tie cause for
which each party fights Men OF honor and
deny the virtues or the abilities OF their adverse
ries. The heart OF the present writer was never
stray autumn leaves falling from the trees OF
Greenwood, while Mrs. Greeley's comm, with its
covering OF black cloth 1--WE remember that IN
our bOyhOOd, In Mr.. Greeleys native State,
we never saw coffin which was not backl
was borne from the hearse to the opening OF the
Vault, JnTOuKu llHcS VI TcvcIcut, uuCOtCiCu
heads-we say we can never forget the heart
breaking impression made upon us by Mr.. Greeley's
fixed and most wistfnl look directed upon us on
that m0urnful OCCASION as II craving the deep
tions entitled him, and which he could not
were ready to give to the bereaved husband and
the half-Orphaned stricken daughters. the pes
the ss q is a mis- eSes d
changed an afiectionate, recognizing look; anl
we deplore our neglect to seek him out
nv,l fraA int utVorV
sponsive breast after that sad scene was over.
The earnest, wistfuI looks he then fixed upon us
that readers viii pardon us for this unseemly mas
terry which our emotions have got over an habtu-
ally cold pen. Something must be pardoned to the
infrmity OF our poor human nature.
We have really no heart for the duty which Is
laid upon us on this occasion II our feelings would
70 e s % Se
make just, uncoiored estimate Of Mr.. Grceley's
character and career But the circumstances OF
tragic and Affecting that we have no COM
mand OF our critical faculties. 1t Is difficult to
think OF anything beyond the grierinspiring spec
taclc Of such q death, following SO swiftly upon
the great eclipse and extinguishment Of the
hopes which Mr.. Greeley had good reasons
crushing canvass .sThe stars In their courses"
seemed to fight against him. He returned
from that fatlguing tour IN the west IN which ms
mating spendOr, to find his poor wife In the last
stages OF her long decline; and with devotion
youthful love- before time and disease had impaired
her beauty or domestic trials had effaced the
bloom Of their first affection, he constantly ut
her bedside, with the fidelity OF q minstering
angel, passing anxious days and sleepless nights
which. under less exigent circumstances, would
have been due to repose after his recent exhaust
less labors. The strain upon his physical endur-
ance and the more tremendous strain upon
his quick emotional susccptlbiities was too
much for him. The bow was not merely
bent. but broken. The strength Of constitution
never weakened by any other excesses than over
work gave way; the chances Oflife which belonged
TO him by hereditary longevity (bOth his father
and grandfather lived to be upwards Of eighty
were squandered; and the vessel so rudely tossed
in these recent tempestS was thrown upon the
beach an utter wreck. 1t Is the saddest ending OF
vigorously useful life that we have ever known.
We must defer, for q day or two, the estimate
which might reasonably be expected of us OF Mr..
Greeley's great career as journalist and his i'm
How can we proceed to cool, critical dissection
OF his character while his body Ia scarcely yet cold
in the cOnquering embrace OF Death We hope to
recover sufficient equanimity for this necessary
task but we do not possess 1t now. Had we been
merely outside spectators Of his lie this duty might
not have been difficult; but having been admitted
to his intimate confidence, having seen him for
many years In his hours OF relaxation, hav-
ing known every member OF his family
in q constant interchange OF pleasant hospi-
take his measure as we could easily have
done If we were in the position of mere outside
spectators. Our grief and sympathy get the better
OF MS, and our sorrow Is too deep and sincere to
strained Outpourng of our feelings. Within day
or two when we have recovered our composure,
we shall recur to this melancholy subject, and try
to do justice to great reputation achieved In our
own loved profession.
from the New York Tmesl