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decade,
James S. Pike, of
Maine, afterwards minister to the Netherlands, was one of the principal correspondents and contributors to the
Tribune. He wrote much and well, but, like the rest, he came under the correcting influence of
Dana's criticism.
This is well illustrated by a letter from
Dana having reference to
Pike's “Campaign life of
General Scott,” and to the assignment of
Bayard Taylor as secretary to
Commodore Perry in the Japanese expedition.
Having taken liberties with
Pike's proofs, he wrote:
... If you don't like this swear all you wish, but you can't help it. The thing is put through, and what you may say is a matter of perfect indifference.
And then, as though to soothe the wounded feelings of his friend, he added in the next paragraph:
... I have discovered that I am necessary to you. Without me who would take the devil out of your letters, and add a genteel air of moderation to their contents?
Nobody. You would be a done — up man, ruined by your own exuberant greatness.
Now I foresee your destiny.
It is to be president, which I shall make you. Be grateful then beforehand.
A few weeks later, when it began to become apparent that all the confident anticipations with which the campaign for the election of
General Scott had been pushed were to end in disappointment, he wrote Pike again:
Here's a letter for you which I hope will be consoling, for somehow I fancy you must stand in need of comfort.
For my part, I have got myself into a state of true philosophy, but you, with those horrid Calvinistic notions oppressing your soul, and the dread of wrath to come blazing before your eyes, can hardly hope for such tranquillity of mind.
