Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-04
IN MEM0R|AM.
The 10Oth Anniversary Of
Horace Gree|ey's Birth
Observed Feb. 3 With Imposing
Ceremonies al Amherst, Nh.
Greeley Dinner at Old Court House
Exercises In Church.

Amherst, n. H, Feb. ALI the state
united here today in honoring the
memory of the great American journal
ist, Horace Greeley. whose birth &C.
Cured in this town a hundred years
ago today. while a nation wide interest
was shown in messages and kilograms
from leading editors and prominent
people from all parts of the country.
A Greeley dinner was held at noon
in the old court house, famous as thu
scene of Daniel Webster's first plea IL
orcn court, while public exercises 70.
lowed In the old church on the com
mon Albert z pil'ehury 81 Boston.
forroer attorra. general nc Massachu-
sets, wac f.te-o orator cf the day.
The aft rnoon exercises we're opene5i
with PRAYER BY Rev Thomas Chalmers
of Manchester. Rev. C. e. White of the
amherst Cor grepational church. as
president of the day. then read the tel
egrams from noted editors and others.
For the host of editors and newspa
per mer present from all over tho
state. John w. Condor Of Manchestar,
representing TIE New Hampshire Press
Association. spoke briefly. while tt
weekly Publishers Associa ton was rep
resented by Arthur Boylston Roteh,
publisher of the Milford Cabinet
Especial enthusiasm was aroused
when the chairman of the meeting
made the formal announcement that
the state Legislature had on Wednes-
day Voted to appropriate the sum of
500 for memorial boulder to mark
the birthplace of Greeley.
Eulogy of Greeley. delivered by Mr..
Pillsbury, then concluded the exercises.
Mr.. Pilsbury said in part:
Horace Greeley is unique even
among what are called self-made men.
He made the ascent in spite of person.
al defects that would have stopped
the way and ruined the prospects of
any but man of compelling genius.
The people made merry of his foibles,
but ne held fer a generation COM
handing influence over public opinion
and councils Of the nation. He had to
educate himself and he did it an the
whole better than the schools and col
leges did it then. or do 1t now as to
inspire o lifelong contempt for coll
leges and college graduates.
ION the 10th day of April, 1841, Hor-
ace Greeley issued the first copy of the
New York Tribune. From the late 40's
the Tribune was the leading newspaper
of the country. The cIearness and Wig
or of his style, the open sincerity OF
his opinions, and the universal conf
dence in his integrity gave him hold
on the popular mind unparalleled in
journalism.
Wise as a sage and simple as child.
fixed in opinion and unstable of judge
ment, full of benevolence to every liv-
ing creature and almost as full Of
prejudice. disposed to peace but sud-
den and quick In quarrel, lover Of
man and hater Of men, the Scotch
pugnaci' VI his honest nature struck
fiercely n very rogue, hypocrite and
humbug. and at some just men and
causes. 1t Is small wonder that this
dynamic of peaceful character was
more hated. admired, abused, vilihed.
believed in and followed. than any 9TH
er man OF his time.
Horace Greeley was first and last
great journalist, holding this charac-
ter higher than any official station and
doing much to make 1t 80. His influ-
ence permanently raised the level of
the American newspaper and the
thought of the American people. The
real power of the press in this country
began with Greeley and If 1t did not
end with him 1t has gained nothing
since