s thus written, than that its
writer should not only cherish the ill-will that prompted it for six
years, but allow it to influence his action upon a question which
concerns his party and his country.

"Mr. Greeley's first complaint is that this journal, in an 'editorial
rescript formally read him out of the Whig party.' Now, here is the
'editorial rescript formally reading' Mr. Greeley out of the Whig
party, taken from the _Evening Journal_ of September 6, 1853:

"'The _Tribune_ defines its position in reference to the
approaching election. Regarding the "Maine law" as a
question of paramount importance, it will support members of
the legislature friendly to its passage, irrespective of
party. For state officers it will support such men as it
deems competent and trustworthy, irrespective also of party,
and without regard to the "Maine law." In a word, it avows
itself, for the present, if not forever, an independent
journal (it was pretty much so always), discarding party
usages, mandates, and platforms.

"'We regret to lose, in the _Tribune_, an old, able, and
efficient co-labourer in the Whig vineyard. But when
carried away by its convictions of duty to other, and, in
its judgment, higher and more beneficent objects, we have as
little right as inclination to complain. The _Tribune_ takes
with it, wherever it goes, an indomitable and powerful pen,
a devoted, a noble, and an unselfish zeal. Its senior editor
evidently supposes himself permanently divorced from the
Whig party, but we shall be disappointed if, after a year or
two's sturdy pulling at the oar of reform, he does not
return to his long-cherished belief that great and
beneficent aims must continue, as they commenced, to be
wrought out through Whig instrumentalities.

"'But we only intended to say that the _Tribune_ openly and
frankly avows its intention and policy; and that in things
about which we cannot agree, we can and will disagree as
friends.'

"Pray read this article again, if its purpose and import be not
clearly understood! At the time it appeared, the _Tribune_ was under
high pressure 'Maine law' speed. That question, in Mr. Greeley's view,
was paramount to all others. It was the _Tribune's_ 'higher law.' Mr.
Greeley had given warning in his paper that he should support 'Maine
law' candidates for the legislatu