# 1177 - 1961 4c Horace Greeley

In 1841, Greeley began publishing the New York Tribune, which would help gain him significant national attention.  In creating the paper, he announced his intention to “advance the interests of the people, and to promote their Moral, Political and Social well-being.”  The Tribune was a “penny daily” paper that set the pattern for modern newspapers.  Using the paper as a platform, Greeley championed several causes – abolition, temperance, government support of railroads, and westward expansion.  His use of the phrase “Go west, young man” had a profound effect.

Over time, Greeley merged the Log Cabin and New Yorker into the New York Tribune.  By the late 1850s, Greeley had a circulation of over 250,000 though he likely had even more readers than that as many people shared their papers.  During the 20 years before the Civil War, Greeley played a major role in shaping American public opinion.

Greeley argued against the expansion of slavery.  When the Southern states seceded from the Union, he felt it was not the will of the majority of the citizens but of “a violent, unscrupulous, desperate minority.”  Greeley criticized President Lincoln for not taking more aggressive action against the Confederacy.  After Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, Greeley expressed his gratitude.  However, Greeley was reluctant to support Lincoln’s reelection in 1864, which lost him some support. 

After the war, Greeley shared his support for the equality of freedmen and the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.  He also wanted to restore relations with the South, recommending Jefferson Davis’ release from prison.  He sponsored experiments in cooperative living, including the founding of Greeley, Colorado, in 1869.  This utopian community flourished, partially due to Greeley’s insistence that settlers have solid finances.