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

mens Of labor and the relations of industry, in the
researches OF science and the education Of the young
was welcomed with cordialty, and examined
with fairness. His faith in the future was not
dimmed by his reverence for tho past. Nor was
his confidence in tho progress of tho human
race impaired by any tincture Of personal selfish
ness. Scarcely any Of his culture and genuine
refinement of mind had less active sense of ind-
yidua comfort. But what he did not seek for him
self he sought for his kind He keeny felt for the
DOOR the infrn. the ignorant. the forsaken, the
helpless and though often abrupt in his express
sions and not conciatory to excess in his manners
be viii be set down by tho recording angel as "one
who loved his tcllow-men."
Prominent as were the relations of Mr.. Greeley
with the public no one can fully comprehend his
character without following him into the retirements
of private and domestic life. He was man OF sin
gular purity Of nature. No foul word or unseemly
Jest was ever permitted to escape his lips. He cher
ishcd tho strongest attachment to the ties OF
family and home. No man had keener
sense of the power of kindred blood
His domestic tastes had the force of o
passionate instinct. His devotion to his invalid
wife through years of protracted suffering exhibited
the character of religious sentiment. The innate
poetry of bis nature concentrated upon his chill
dren. His love for tho glorious boy" whose early
death was a perpetual grief. seemed less like
reality than q romance. This child, whose radiant
beauty was never equaled in " the sunshine
of picture" cannot be forgotten in any remembrance
Of the father His sweet and gracious nature was
no less attractive than his personal loneliness His
sudden death, nearly twenty-five years ago, left
feeling of loneliness and desolaton upon the heart
Of Mr. Greeley for which the lapse of years brought
no assuaging influence. "When at length" he writes
of himself the struggle ended with his last breath
and even his mother was convinced that his eyes
would never again open upon tho scenes of this
world, / knew that the Summer of my life was
ovet that the chill breath of its Autumn was at
hand and that my future course must be along the
down-hill Of life"
In general society, Mr. Greeley was always him
self, frank, communicative, Astounding in converse
tion though with an occasional appearance Of re-
serve growing ont of certain Observation-Disclosures in
which his preoccupied mind sometimes tempted him
to indulge the wisdom of his speech seasoned with
frequent dashes of humor, and his whole bearing
marked by genial good nature rather than any pc
DANTE adherence to the formaltes Of etiquette But
If not addicted to artificial courtesies he displayed
sweetness of spirit and genteness of demeanor in
perfect unison with the juvenile play of his features
and the beautiful innocence of his countenance
which dsarmed the seyerest prcudices and inspired
feeling almost akin to idolatry among those who
knew him best.
In spite Of his absorption in politics, literature
aud secular cares Mr.. Greeley was Of earnest
Iel gous convictions, and although without any
trace of superstition in feeling asceticsm in con-
duct cherished no less ardent devotion to his re-
gous faith than if he habitually wore a cassock
cowl When he only ten years old, he was led by
passage in ancient history to reflection on the char
aGter of the Divine Government. In the course
of his childish specuatIons, he became convinced
Of tho essential benignity of the Divine char
one who called himself q Universalist, nor
had read a page by any writer of that
denomination. Soon afterward, however, he be-
came familiar with the course of argument made use
Of by tho advocates Of the system. His previous
convictions were strengthened by their reason
ings, and with the diligent perusal Of the
Scriptures he was confirmed in the faith
that all suffering is q means Of discipline,
and VIII finally result in universal holiness and con-
seauent happiness. Throughout his life he was a
constant attendant on public worship, and num-
bered many of tho ministers of the gospel
among his warnest friends In matters
of religion ho lived in charity with
all mankind. lie never forced his creed upon the
attention of Others received his articles of faith
from human dictati0n. Intimate with the highest
dgnitares Of the church, from the Catholic prelate
to the Methodist bishop he preserved his freedom of
belief and his independence of mind.
AS We stand around the cold remains of the friend
whose face viii be no seen in the places which
he filed with fresh and glowing life, the sounds
of party contention fade away in the silence Of
DEATH Tho spirit of strife is hushed. The
long warfare of the departed is brought to an end.
He has found repose in the stiffness of the grave,
and no lingering bitterness must disturb the depth
Of his peace, OF impair the sweet memory of his
virtues.