The Van Buren press., 1895-01-12

sion with Greeley. Webb, who MAS 4
fine dresser, had occasion to refer te
Mr.. Greeley's slovenly appearance and
remarked that he attracted a great
deal of attention when walking or
Broadway. Mr.. Greely's reply was =,
follows:
1.-THE Courier and Enquirer sayi
that the dress of the editor of this pa
per attracts a great deal of attention
when he wallks along Broadway. IL
reply we wish to say that had it not
been for the executive clemency Of
Gov. Seward, the clothes worn BY
James Watson Webb would attract .
great deal more attention IL worn or
Broadway"
There was no further discussion o1
the question OF clothes for some time tc
come in the columns of the Courie,
and Enquirer.
The famous political partnership
consisting of Thurlow Weed, William
II. Seward and Horace Greeley, dated
from the time Greeley first came tc
New York, and Weed and Seward rec.
ognized that he was going to be very
important element in forming politi.
cal sentiment. Fer number of years
this partnership controlled the poll.
tics of the Empire state, fixing the per.
sons who were to hold office and
formulating political platforms.
Greeley's editorial and political rival
was Henry j. Raymond, who was nine
years younger, and who came to New
York thoroughly equipped to take a
very important part in all that was 60
ing on. He was employed by Greeley
as an assistant editor in 1s41, but two
years later went to the Courier and
Enquirer and held an editorial posi-
tion there till 1851. when he founded
the Times, Of which sheet he was ed
itor till his death in 1868.
Greeley had often professed that he
did not desire to hold office, and
Weed and Seward had come to re-
gard these professions as sincere.
They. therefore, usually made up their
slatos without giving any place upon
the ticket to him.
In 1854, however, Mr. Greeley had
decided that lie would like to stand for
lieutenant governor. He had as yet
not made his desires known to Weed
and Seward, and they accordingly pro-
ceeded to make up their ticket, and Sc
lected Raymond for this office. This
was driving the iron into Greeley's
soul. He would not have cared so
much to have been turned down him
self II some one besides his hated
young rival, Raymond, had been se-
lected. He was too good party man,
however, to make any public outcry or
to bolt the ticket. He went on till the
close of the campaign doing the best
he could for the whig party. and then,
on the night Of election, sent that IA
nous historic letter to Gov. Seward,
which read as follows:
"At this hour (midnight) sufficient returns
| are In to show that the entire state ticket Is
elected. l take this occasion to serve notice
that the partnership hitherto existing OF Sew
ard, Weei and Greeley is hereby dissolved by
| the withdrawal OF the junior member there
| from HG"
During the next ten years Greeley
did not hold any political office and
did his most effective newspaper work.
He was very active in opposing all the
schemes and ambitions of his former
| political partners. In 1860 he went to
the republican national convention,
and while the New York delegation
was unit for Seward for the presi-
dency, he was the most effective single
factor in defeating Seward and in se-
curing the nomination Of Lincoln. His
familiar old white coat was seen NOV.
ing about everywhere among the dele
gates working to undo his former po-
litical partner.
The members of the New York dele
! cation were some Of them so much ex
asperated at his action that they were
| disposed to assault him. His face was
covered with smiles and he was de-
| lighted at the result He felt perfect
ly content to take the taunts that were
hurled at him Of being traitor to his
state. In the subsequent struggle
! there was great deal said about there
being certain letter that explained q
great deal Of Mr.. Greeley's political
animus. Finally, when enough had
been said to create high degree of
interest in the contents of the letter,
Mr.. Greeley himself printed 1t and SO
stopped the discussion and made ten
stroke thereby.
Mr.. Greeley was very generous II ap-
preached in the proper way and when
he was in the proper mood. He took a
great interest in bettering the condi-
| tion of those whom he could and with
this end in view was greatly inter-
ested in securing emigration to the
west.
1t was well understood by those
connected with him that when Mr..
Greeley was in the midst of his writ
ing he was not to be disturbed by any
one, and that II he was interrupted he
became very irritable. Few would
risk disturbing him, therefore, while
he was in the midst Of his thought.
A certain very stylish colored man
In whom Mr.. Greeley had manifested
considerable interest had been in sew
eral times to talk with him. Knowing
where Mr.. Greeley's private office was,
he walked in one day without an
nouncing himself. Mr.. Greeley was
busily engaged in writing, and with
his face close to his desk did not look
up The visitor took his place close to
the great editors elbow and waited
several minutes for him to look up and
recognize him. Mr.. Greeley kept on
writing. Finally the man said:
II called, Mr.. Greeley, to talk with
you about that matter we were speak
ing about"
Mr.. Greeley only wrote the harder