Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-30
DEATH OF HORACE GREELEY


HORACE GREELEY. The reports of bis III.
ness for week past, though cautiously and
hopefully given, were Of q grave tenor, In
dicsting that the robust frame and
mastery intellect alike were laboring under
profound depression, aud on yesterday eve
ming at Tsrrytown, New York, the end
cAme-Aconsciously and peacefully" says
the telegraph. Scare ly had the Amer
lean people turned from the annual Thanks
giving, when they are called to mourn the
loss OF one of the most eminent citizens of
the Republic, and one whose loss at this
juucture may well be deemed a public
calamity.
The general familiarity with Mr.. Gree
ley's career-enhanced By his recent PROM
inence In the eyes Of the countTy-pre.
cludes the necessity Of extended geographic
detail. He was native of New Hamp-
shire and Of humble psrentage, and would
have reached bis sixty-second year in Feb
ruary next. By the time he was Of adult
age, he was printer, and like everything
else tina. be was, be was good one. After
year or two spent on the provincial press,
he entered New York city with a sc2nty
purse and scarcely q change in his ward
robe, unknown, and unfriended save By his
own steadiast soul anu manly mind. After
a year or two spent at the compositor's case,
he established the "Morning Post, /" the first
penny paper ever issued, bot this venture
in journalism soon failed. In brief time,
this was seconded by the "Neao Yorker"
weekly political and literary sheet, which,
in connection with editorial labor on several
other journals, engaged his attention until
1640. In this year, be issued the "Log
Cabin" campaign paper in the interest
OF the Wing party which rose to power in
the autumn of that year. In this time, bis
frank, incisive pen-the master Of sterling
style Of writing, and teeming with bold
thoughts-had achieved an enviable repu-
tation. His accurate observations, prOdi-
gious memory, and treuchant views of pub
lie affairs had made him an ally sought by
thu leading politicians of the school to which
he belonged, and the foundation of his
subsequent brilliant journalistic career was
securely laid.
In l841, the New York Tribune appeared,
and its advent marked an epoch in tee his
tory Of American journalism. It was from
that day to this, Horace Greeley in type,
and it is not invidious TO say that it was the
ablest and most widely influential news
paper ever printed, Others Of its great
contemporaries in this country may have
exceeded it l. some features-in enterprise
aud indiscriminste variety of matter; and
some Of the European journals may haze
been more scholarly and profound in edi-
torial disquisition, and grsced with mora
critical polish; but the Tribune stood in the
front rank in all the departments Of great
newspaper, and scarcely a number, until
within the past six months, failed to carry
the vigorous impress of the powerful iltellecs
of its founder. On every current topic of
political, social and general interest, it was
freigb;ed with weighty thought, terssly and
forcihiy expressed. Though psrtizan, and
emphatIcally "the tower of strength" to the
Wing party for decade, and the builder
AID architect Of the Republican party of to-
day, Horace Greeley and his Tribune we're
independent in the true sense Of the term,
fesriessly differing with the statesmen Of
both Of them, and never trucking to the
expediencies Ct the mere politicians of
either. There was a frankness and bold
honesty in the Tribune that reached and
S waved the people, and perhaps no publica
ton ever had SO large and implicit follow
ing. In the public mind of this country,
and among men Of all sections and shades
Of opinion, Mr.. Greeley and the Tribune
are inseparsbly associated. It was his
great life work, and will be his noblest mon
umelt. It's pages embody his career,
and demand mention in whatever might
be written Of him. After retirement Of a
few months, enforcedby circumstances, all
will row recall the brief but suggestive
Iiaes in which the veteran, but few weeks
since resumed the helm of its conduct.
Lifted, IS he was by the recent event, above
the ''sm0ke and stir" Of the partnership of
the hour, be pre6gured for his loved Tri-
buRe yet loftier sphere of usefulness, and
a broader and more benefcent scope of
lsbors. Alas! the journal will survive, but
the noble spirit which erst ruled from its
tripod, tOttered for while, and has fsHen
in death.
OF Mr.. Greeley's political tenets, and of
the fierce earnestness with which be en-
forced them, and the profound and perma.
nent effect they have wrought in the Repub-
lie, It does rot behooye us In this hour to
speak. 1t is enough TO say that we dis
scented, but, while differing, none could but
admire the chivalrous ability, and the noble
csEdor Of the mau. He lived to see them
and bis last notable labor
was a struggle TO prevent their
perversion and prostitution, and
though unsuccessful, nothing In bis
great career, so splendidly displayed the
material Of his character. As candidate
fer the Presidency, lie passed the usual Or
deal q misrepresentation and defamation,
but lis own course was unblemished by a
fault. His letter of acceptance was brief
manual of political wisdom adapted to the
lime, and the series of addresses he care
fully delivered, were matches in matter
and expression-clesr, candid and convlnc-
ing. Those who knew his power as a wri-
Ter, were called to admire him as apuDgent
md fUrcible speaker. Hewss defeated, and
his is not the place for political comment
on the event; but one consideration
rises 10 the mind. The party which
set Lin aside was more deeply
indebted to him than any living man. He
was It's intellectual head, its very soul. The
man whom it preferred in comparison with
him, " s but The hand of its strength, and
not its noblest hand. Who can say but that
The cha5rins of great spirit sensitively |