nd the _World_,
although a Democratic organ, offered conditional support. The
_Tribune_ also encouraged the hope that it would eventually swing into
line.

Horace Greeley's principles were in substantial accord with those of
his party. He had little liking for civil service reform; the
integrity of the national debt invoked his unflagging support; and the
suppression of the Ku-Klux, although favouring a liberal Southern
policy, had received his encouragement.[1351] Nor had he said anything
in speech or writing disrespectful of the President. He did not favour
his renomination, but he had faith in the essential honesty and
soundness of Republican voters. Moreover, the demand for "a genuine
reform of the tariff" made it impossible to reconcile his policy with
that of the Liberal Republicans of Missouri.

[Footnote 1351: New York _Tribune_, May 31, 1870; February 27, 1871;
May 1, 1872.]

Nevertheless, Greeley's position in the Republican party had become
intolerable. Conkling controlled the city and State machines, Fenton
belonged in a hopeless minority, and Grant resented the _Tribune's_
opposition to his succession. Besides, the editor's friends had been
deeply humiliated. The appointment of Murphy was accepted as "a plain
declaration of war."[1352] The treatment of the Greeley committee,
overthrown by the power of patronage, also festered in his heart. "For
more than a year," he said, "to be an avowed friend of Governor Fenton
was to be marked for proscription at the White House."[1353] Thus, with
the past unforgiven and the future without hope, the great journalist
declared that "We propose to endure this for one term only."[1354]

[Footnote 1352: _Ibid._, April 25, 1872.]

[Footnote 1353: _Ibid._]

[Footnote 1354: _Ibid._]

From the first it was apparent that the Republican schism, to be
successful, needed the support of the _Tribune_. Although its
influence had materially suffered during and since the war, it still
controlled a great constituency throughout the North, and the longer
its chief hesitated to join the new party the more earnest and
eloquent did the appeals of the Liberals become. At last, relying upon
a compromise of their economic differences, Greeley accepted the
invitation to meet the Missouri reformers in convention.[1355] His
action was the occasion for much rejoicing, and on April 13 the
Liberals of New York City began their campaign amidst the cheers of an
enthusiastic multitude assemble