The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-11-21
sTAUNToN, VIRGINIA., THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 81 1872 s
Consolation Of Mr.. Greeley.


Consolation Of Mr.. Greeley.
Horace Greeley, in returning to hecharge Of
the Tribune, gives vent to his sense of relief on
the following strain. We do not much admire
the strain 1t is plant We and bitter, and give
evidence that his defeat was unexpected, and that
he does not take it phifosophically. sS}
There has been no time until now within the
last twelve years when the Tribune was not sup
posed to keep, for the benefit of the idle and in
capable, a sort Of Federal employment agenca.,
| established to get places under government for
| those who were indisposed to work for their liv
| ing Any man who nd ever voted the Republic
can ticket believed that twas the duty and the
privilege of the editor of this paper to get him
| place in the custom house. Every red nosed pos
| ltician who had cheated at the caucus and tough
at the polls. looked to the editor Of the Tribuar to
secure the appointment, as ganger, or as ar,y
oh ,plain. or as minister to France Every car
raizn orator came upon US safer the bat: . was
over for recommendation as Secretary OF the
Treasury or the loan of half dollar. If one OF
our party had an interest pending at Washington
the editor ofthe Tribune was autographed in fran
tic haste TO come to the capitol. save this bill
crush that one, promote one project, to stop an
other. He.was to.be everybody's friend, will.
nothing to do but to take care of other folks bu
sness sign papers. write letters. and ask favors
for them. and to get no thanks for it either
Four ffths Of these people were sent away with
out what they wanted. only to become straight
way abusive enemies Sit was the worry Of lif.
to try to crafty one demand in dozen for the
other fifth
1 TIE man with two wooden legs congratu' ated him
self that he could never be troubled with cold feet
1t is source of profound satisfaction to US that
office seekers will keep aloof frnm def.ai ed can
didase who has notiuinsnce enough at Washing
ton or Albany to get q sweeper appointed under
the sergeant at arms. or deputy sub assistant
temporary clerk into the paste pot section ofthe
folding room. At last we shall be let alone to
mind our own affairs and manage our own news
paper, without being called aside every hours to
help lazy people whom we don't know. and to
spend our strength in efforts that only bene6
people who don't deserve assistance. At last we
shall keep our Office clear of batherskites and
political beggers and 60 about daily wo' K
with the satisfaction of knowing that not the
most credulous of place hunters will suspect US of
having any credit with the appointing powers
That is one of the results of Tuesdays election
for which we own ourselves profoundly grateful
SIR WALTER SooTTs's LAST YEARS.
Even now, when he has been so long at rest,
and new generation has arisen, and new
flames fill the world. tits impossible, TO think
Of the tragedy of SCOTS last years without a
poignant and personal sorl ow as over the ia te
Of dear friend. SuddeaIy tie misfortune
came-tlie enormous losses and debts-and
he put the great heart and the great shout
ders to the tremendous struggle. The beneE-
icent genius that had Sc, long gayly played
only to delight the facnated world was in
moment desperately wrestling with death for
honor aud existence He owed nearly SIX
hundred thousand dollars; and of this vast
sum by strenuous and relentless toll, breaking
his heart and consuming his brain, he paid
withio four years considerably more than;
half. Alas! he paid with his life and with
his mind The cloud fell thicker and more
heavily. His wife died; everything failed
but his own heroism, and the love and pity
Of mankind There are gimpses in the me-
moirs of that -glippses inexpressibly
sad of the dying man in Italy, at Naples up
en- the Campagna. Itisonly the shadow of the
stalwart Scott He sits Tor hours gazing up
on the sea; he moves restlessly about; here
peats 10 tone so mournful that the heart
breaks to Lear snatches of the old, old ballads
that his heart loved, and which arc dear to
all men who speak his language because he
loved IL en- Then he comes home to die
Gentle as a child, he has been unspoiled by
the fa,tery of world. Through the mists
Of the fast fading mind looks out that true
and tender manhood which is forever memo
rabe. "Be good man. my DEAR he whs
pers to his son-n, law !, Loekhart on q soft
September afternoon, thirty-nine years ago,
with all the windows wide open aud the gen
tie ripple of the Tweed murmuring upon the
air, while his children knelt around the bed,
Walter Scott died, sand his eldest son kissed
and closed his eyes. ST @
In his case that prayer which was quoted
Of nne Of his successors was fulfilled May
love and truth guide such man always ~
For Of any man who ever held so large place
| in the heart of his contemporaries and Of
their children, and who had SO great power,
could it be more truly said than Of Sir Wal
ter that he was guided always by love and
truth ie
s. Il ~