Evening journal., 1897-10-18
MoNpAY, ocroBER IS. 1897.
CHARLES A. DANA's DEATH.

PUBIC VIII near WIN keeueSl IeBIel OF
the death OF that great newspaper
writer, Charles A. Dana, for so many
years the guiding spirit of the New
York Sun and the mentor of American
newspapers. He occupied not only al
prominent but also a unique place in
the journalistic field Of this continent.
He was fearless editorial writer and
was never better pleased than when en-
gagged in a heated controversy with
some other editor worthy Of his steel,
and there we're few of them. He was a
master OF satire sarcasm and invective.
His arguments were usually, though not
always sound, ,butalways interesting and
entertaining He was probably more
feared by INSCRIPTIONS men than any
other editor in the United States. While
a most charming and mild-mannered
man personally and socially, he was
just the reverse when he took his pen
in hand fer then he became an Ishmael-
ite-with his hand against every man
and every mans hand against him. But
the world loves a brave fighter. and es-
pecially one who fights in the public
interest, and that is why Charles A.
Dana became household name all
over this wide land OF ours.
He was essentially a self-made man.
His great natural force Of character and
honesty OF purpose carried him to the
front and kept him there. His life and
its work should serve as an inspiration
70 every American boy who is at all
ambitious to figure in the public affairs
Of his country.
He was born in Hlnsdale, N. H., Au-
gust s, 1919, being a descendant OF
Jacob, eldest son Of Richard Dana, pro-
genitor OF most OF those who bear his
name in the United States. AS boy
he worked in store in Buffalo TIL his
18th year, when he prepared for college
and entered Harvard in 1889. His ear
liest newspaper experience was gained
in the management of the Harbinger,
which was devoted to social reform and
general literature. After about two
years OF editorial work on Elizur
Wright's Boston Chronotype, a daily
newspaper, Mr.. Dana Joined the stan
OF the New York Tribune, in 1S47. He
spent eight months Of the following
year In Europe on his return becoming
one of the owners and managing editor
of the Tribune, a post which he held
until April /, 1862. In the Tribune 3
opposition to the attempt to break
down the Missouri compromise and to
carry slavery into Kansas and Nebras-
ka, and in the development and or
ganization of that popular sentiment
which gave birth to the Republican
party and led to the election of Abra-
ham Lincoln in 1860, Mr.. Dana bore nc
unimportant part
In 1861 Mr. Dana went to Albany tC
advance the cause OF Mr.. Greeley as q
candidate for the United States Senate
and nearly succeeded in nominating
him. During the first period of the wal
the ideas OF Mr.. Greeley and those o.
Mr.. Dana in regard to the proper con
duct Of military operations were some
what at variance and this disagree
ment resulted in the resignation Of Mr
Dana, after fifteen years of service. Ill
was at once employed by Secretar.
Stanton in special work of importanc
for the War Department and in 1S6
was appointed assistant secretary o
war, which office he held until after tn
surrender OF General Lee. His dutie
as the representative OF the civil au
thority at the scene OF military opera
tions brought him into close persons
relations with Mr.. Lincoln and Nj
stanton, who were accustomed to dc
pend much more upon his accurate pei
ception and just estimates Of the me
and measures. for information as to II
actual state OF affairs at the front. 4
the time when Genefal Grants chara'
ter and probable usefulness were vi
known quantities. Mr.. Dana's conf
dence in Grants military ability pro-
ably did much to defeat the powerful e
fort to break down the rising con
mander.
After the war his services we
sought by the proprietors of the Ch
cago Republican, a new daily, whi'
failed through causes not within {
editors control. Returning TO NJ
York, he organized, in 1867, the sto
company that now owns the Su
and became its editor. The first nHl
Der Of the Sun issued by Mr.. Dana a
peared on January 27, 1868, and
nearly thirty years he has been active
and continuously engaged in the ma
agement Of that journal and solely !
sponsible for its conduct. He made
Sun Democratic newspaper, indepen
ent and outspoken in the expression
its opinions respecting the affairs
either party. Its criticisms Of the
ministration during General Gran
terms as president led to notable
tempt on the part Of that administl
ton in July. 1873, to take him FRI
New York on a charge OF libel, TO
tried xvffhostf a iury in a WaShingt