New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-20
THE TRIBUNE'S FOUNDER.
HORACE GREELEY: ls4l-lsso.

AMERICAN oPINION-AN INSP1h'
ING EXAMPLE FOR HIGH.
MINDED JOURNALISTS.
On September 90, ls41, was laid the founda'
ton OF Horace Grceley's fame and influence. W
that day the publication Of THE log Cao'n"
and OF "The NEWCOMER was suspended ana
both issues were merged into The weekly IT'D
une. a journal which rapidly acquired very
large circulation and extraordinary lnnuence.
Mr. Greeley had then been in New-fork aoout
ten years struggling laboriOusly and unsncces$
fully not so much to make living as 10 orins
his talents and energy to bear upon the curen'
Thought of his time. Beginning at PRIMERS
case where he could not earn over So week In
the composition of a miniature New testament
he had formed various partnerships and edited
one weekly journal after another without accom-
uli,hing results commensurate with his genius
The New-Yorker,' which was first pubhshed IN
1894. had been anything but profitable. In order
20 exc out living he conducted in 1883 anotner
weekly journal at Albany, The Jefersonlan
vibrating every week between the two citles; bus
this was only a temporary eXpedent The Log
Cabin established in 1910 as Harrison cam
noign paper. quickly reached circulation OF 90,
debts: but as he was compelled in his own words.
70 publish it very wastefully the gain from u
was small except in personal reputation. After
Uarrsons election it was continued as a family
and political paper, with a declining circulation.
The Daily Tribune had been issued for the
first time on April TO- 1871, but as Mr.. McElrath
had only been in charge of the business manage
mont n few weeks. its success was not Yet assured
when the first number of the weekly edition was
published as a substitute for both Inc Log
Cabinn and "Thc New-Yorker." That edition
with Mr.. McElraths shrewd business Judgment
solved the problem which had hahied Mr.. ''fee-
lcy's keen intelligence and resources OF patience
for ten wears It, introduced linn to the American
pcoplc whom he was to influence with command-
ing force during the remainder of his busy lie.
TIE GREELEY STATUE.
II any doubt remained respecting the ultimate
prosperity Of Tie Daily Tribune and its Editors
remarkable genius as a writer for the common
people. it was dispcrd when The Weekly Trih-
unc Obtained new subscribers by tens Of Thousands
and his power in directing the forces OF Ameri-
can opinion was securely established. II is he
causc the merging of the two langnishing pub
lication, into The Weekly Tribune was the turn
inc point in Mr.. Greelsy'G career as journalist
and leader Of public thought that the ami
yersary Of that event. occurring at the approach
ing close of the first half century Of The Trlbunes
existence has been selected as an appropriate oo-
cason for the unwilling Of j. Q. A. ward Statne
A. the entrance Of The Tribune Building Ihe
movement for the erection OF statue on Tue
historic corner Of Printing House square con-
secrated by his memory received It's earliest I'M
pulse Immediately after his death; hut various
causes have combined 10 defer the contamination
Of the project until this time. From one point
Of view this delay has hccn fortunate. since
public est innate has been formed OF his character
and career which is at once more just ano
sympathetic than any Judgment which could nave
been reached few years after the civil war ana
at the close OF a political canvass OF delamatlon
and turmoil. Mr.. Greeley lived in stormy PERIOD
and he filled the land with the clangor OF cons
,royersy. Eighteen years ago the popular con-
ception Of him was that of q veteran warrior gone
to his rest after many fierce battle over slavery.
reconstruction, universal suffrage, amnesty and
nrotcction. A statue which would have expressed
the public feeling az that time would have been
the embodiment Of man Of war, fresh from the
storm and stress VI continuous fighting, ana low
ing controversy as the breath Of his Intellectual
life. Time has transformed this conception OF
his character and public services. Horace
Greeley is now known to have been essentially
man of peace. with noble ambition TO nft up
and deliver the oppressed. to make the hhertles
Of his country real and its industries selt-suS-
tanning and prosperous. and to enlarge and ennobe
mems IDEAS Of the virtues Of citizenship and the
dignity Of honest toll.
IL i, Horace Greeley, the humane and benevolent
sage. the phlosophic educator OF generation Of
patriotic. self-rcspecting Americans. the masnani-
nous political leader. the broad-mlnded YET self
poised and intrepid journalist. the friend OF human.
it's, the man of peace. who will survive. In MI.
Wards sympathetic and noble statue. the bale
full memories OF war time aud political strife.
From the same corner Of Printing HonSe Square
whence his thought went out daily To his fellow
men. often burning with the intensity oi MS con-
vic,ions, but always luminous with sincerity and
inherent love Of truth. men VIII catch once
more the bcngnant sweetness and gentle gravity
of that soul-lishfcd face, hcaming with goodwill
upon every human creature. Coming generations
meeting the mute gaze ot the eyes, upiiied from
the open page OF The Tribune. 10 be inspired by
the vista Of the Nations prolific destiny and In
Justrial progress. will Horace Greeley in his
habit Of thought and heart as he lived and worked
among men.
Ii was Mr. Grceey's own desire To he rcmem'
l.rcd by posterity JOURNALIST. In his own
eloquent words Fame is vapor: popularity an
accident riches take Wings: the only earthly GER
tainty Is oblirion no man can see what DAY
will bring forth; while those who cheer to-day
will often curse Tomorrow: and vet cherish the
hope that the journal projected and established
will live and flourish long alter | have monldereo
into forgotten dust being guided by a larger.wiS
dom, n more unrrring >,gacity 10 discern me
right though not hy more untai,ertng readiness
To embrace and defend il at whatever cost anu
that the stone Which covers my ashes may hear
To future eyes the still Ineligible inscription
| Founder of The Ncw-lorli Tribune That inl'
| passioncd tcdi, alton has made The Tribune his
| true monument. AT least long il continues
| 10 he loyal Ia his teachings and example. and
| animated by his spirit. It is fitting that his
st,tuc should kc raised at the has, Of the magnn'