New-York tribune., 1873-05-17
TIE OLD IND TIE NEW TRIBUNE

TIE ULD 1hD iHb ANV
BUILDINGS.
We begin to-day the demolition of that
historic building in which The TRIBUNE has
grown and prospered through so many years.
II is not without feeling of regret that the
first blow of the hammer is struck at an edl-
flee around which cluster such cherished asso-
Citations as those which will always make the
corner of Spruce and Nassau-sts haunted
ground for the student OF moral and social
progress IN America. But the demands OF
time and development are imperative. lHE
TRIBINE has Outgr0wn its cradle, and re-
ouires home more in harmony with its
wider plans and greater influence. The build
ing from which Horace Greeley for a quarter
of n century led the free thought OF the
county will be long remembered. The room IN
which he labOred has been kept sacred since
his death. No lesser presence has ever broken
the spell his memory left there. And now
that we are about to erect on the old site the
largest and most imposing newspaper Office IN
the world, the controlling thought OF the pro-
prietors of The TRIBUNE is, that here Is bis
true monument. The great journal which he
founded, animated by his spirit and faithful
to his teachings, will, we trust, keep his
memory green in every region upon eartn'
and the massive pile, reared upon the scene
of his labors and his glory, will speak contln-
ualy of him and his work to the millions OF
citizens and strangers who shall traverse for
centuries to come the broad avenues of Man
haitian Island and the noble rivers that wash
it on either hand.
The space we have formerly occupied being
much too narrow for our uses, we have ac-
quired property on every side of us, until our
front extends upon Printing House Square
over 30 feet, upon Spruce-street 100
feet thence north to Frankfort-street
165 feet, with frontage upon that street of
nearly 20 feet. This liberal space is to be
covered with a building nine stories high,
surmOunted by lofty tower, which in beauty
and elegance as well as in bulk will be the
most considerable business edifce in the
southern part of the island. Some of the
most eminent architects of the day
have competed in furnishing designs for the
building, and the result is one upon which all
who take pride in the architectural adornment
of the great metropolis may justly cOngratu-
late themselves. 1t will be not only superb
and artistic monument; it will also be as per-
ence of the most competent builders can de-
vise 1t will be absolutely tire-proof in every
part, and built to last forever. In few days
we shall publish detailed statement of our
plans which will more than bear out the an
nouncement which we make to-day to cur
readers and friends.
We vacate at once our present quarters and
move temporarily into the iron building on
Spruce-street adjoining our present Offices.
Those visiting our counting-room on business
will find it in the first building on Sprucestreet
below the corner we have so long occupied.
This entire building will be used by THE TRIB
UNE during the construction of the portion of
the new edifce fronting upon Printing House
Square. 1t Is as spacious and convenient as
our present establishment, and the transfer will
occasion no delay or confusion whatever. Our
contracts are already made for the demolition
of the Lawrence Bank, the office of The Witness,
and the old TRIBUNE Buildings proper, and for
the erection of the new foundations upon the
site now covered by these structures. The
work will be pushed forward during the Sum-
mer with the greatest energy, and the appear
ance of the old corner will be speedily trans
formed.
We print to-day a sketch Of the history of
the venerable pile which is so soon to disap-
pear-venerable, though less than forty years
old. For it has a record of enough i'm
portance to add flavor and dignity to the
recollections of a far older house. 1t has
been the headquarters of great army and
has stood more than one siege, of different
kinds. 1t has received under its hospitable
roof varied assembly of trades, and indus
tries, and tIaffics. 1t has given shelter to
motley throng of teachers and writer's. rang
ing from The Day Book to The Golden
Age, from the advocates of Slavery
and reaction to those who clamored
for the widest civil and social freedom. Every
creed, every party, every race has had its rep
resentatives among tenants. There is
something rather ghostly about the silent and
empty rooms to-day. But we may boast that
there are few buildings, here or elsewhere,
where the proportion of good to evil accom-
plished within their walls, from 1S45 to 1878,
is so large as that shown by the history of
this modest brick structure which has served
its purpose in the world and now awaits the
blow of the demolisher, in the certainty of a
glorious renewal of life.
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REFORM CITY OFFTCERS