The Portland daily press., 1872-05-04
The New York Tribune and Its Subscrib


and its distinguished editor from the party to
which both have for SO many years been val
liable and highly-appreciated supports, was a
political event of very great Importance. The
circulation of that journal is so large and the
relations existing between Mr.. Greeley and
his readers are SO uncommonly intimate, that
it became at first serious question with all
rejecting people whether many thousands of
voters who are accustomed to accept the die
ia of the Tribune with respect would not fol-
low it into the Democratic camp. Time
enough has now elapsed to make it possible
to determine whether there was any reason
for these apprehensions. The result of the
examination is asingularly complete yindica-
ton ofthe intelligence, independence and self
poise of American voters. There is little
doubt that Mr.. Greeley's personal influence
over his Tribune constituency is thing
which has never had a parallel in this coun-
try. Yetit is now safe to say, judging from
personal observation in Maine, that not one
subscriber in hundred will so much as
hesitate about repudiating the heresies
of the journal that was but yesterday their
oracle. 1t is very interesting study to OBJ
serve the attitude of those good people toward
their lato guide, philosopher and friend. At
frst they said, "this is only one of Greeley's
yagaries. He was opposed to Mr. Lincoln in
1854 and to Gen. Grant in 1868. Yet when
they were once regularly nominated no cham
pion of their election was more Wig oroLs and
efficient. So it will be now. He has his per-
sonal preferences, and he certainly has per-
feet right to frank expression of them pre-
vious to the nominating convention. But
when the popular will has found expression
through that agency, he will, as heretofore,
cheerfully bow to its decrees." Afterwards,
when it became evident that Mr. Greeley had
really "burned the bridges behind him. as
he vaingloriously boosted, the subscribers for
his journal chung for long time to their per-
sonal liking for the man, after they had sum-
marty rejected him as a political guide. As
large number of free-traders have al
ways taken the Tribune in spite of its
madness on the subject of protection, SO the
masses of its subscribers, who are not vet
ready to abandon the Republican party, are
delaying, as long as possible, the inevitable
estrangement between them and their lost
eader. But, unlike protection and free
trade, the questions ON which Mr.. Greeley
has taken new departure are of paramount
importance, and it will require great prudence
and self-control on his part to retain even the
personal good wishes and respect of his old
friends. We speak only for Maine, but there
Is no doubt that a. determination is already
freely expressed by many hundreds of its
subscribers not to be parties to the inevitable
Tribune club after the expiration of tho
present year. The futility of that newsna.
per's efforts to carry its readers with It 10
strikingly shown by the fact that only two or
three gentlemen were found to represent this
State at Cincinnati, while they have absolute
ly no constituency. People are accustomed
to do their own thinking in this country,
however great their respect and admiration
for any public man.