John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

[97] is apparent in every line of his editorials as well as his correspondence. It is also apparent that the underlying foundation of this sympathy rested rather upon hatred of absolutism than upon any exaggerated love of free government.

It was in May of this year that the Macready riots took place in New York. In consequence of a misunderstanding, and of possible rivalry existing for some years between Edwin Forrest, the American tragedian, and William Charles Macready, an English actor of distinction then on a tour of the United States, the friends of Forrest took violent measures to prevent Macready from acting in New York, and brought about a bloody disturbance for the suppression of which both the police and the military forces were called out. Some twenty-three persons were killed and thirty-six wounded. Great excitement prevailed for a week. The best citizens took part in behalf of Macready's protection and his right to act. The newspapers led in the discussion, and in the end the cause of free speech and free acting prevailed. The country papers took sides, and one published at Wilkesbarre strenuously denied Macready's right to act “if a part of the people disapproved of him.” This brought out the Tribune in strenuous defence of Macready, on the broad ground that “his rights as a man were superior to other people's prejudices.” This article was written by Dana, and had in it all the ring which afterwards characterized the Sun under his editorship.

Early this year the Tribune began its advocacy of a railroad to the Pacific, and took a leading part in favor of a protective tariff, as well as in the discussion of slavery. In all these questions Greeley, who was the largest owner as well as the responsible editor, defined the policy of the newspaper on lines which nobody could mistake. Curiously enough, in a reply to a warning from a Southerner that